Blogs

Learn what happens during your pet’s first vet visit: exam details, vaccines, testing, and what to bring. Complete new pet owner checklist included.

If you live in Tucson, valley fever should be on your radar. This fungal infection affects approximately 6-10% of dogs in Pima County every year, making it one of the most common serious illnesses we see at Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic. Understanding the symptoms, testing process, and treatment options could save your dog’s life. What […]

You’ve just brought your pet home after spaying surgery, and you’re wondering: Is that swelling normal? Should they be this sleepy? When should you call the vet? At Santa Cruz Veterinary Clinic, we perform hundreds of spay surgeries each year. This guide walks you through each day of recovery, helping you distinguish normal healing from […]

When you adopt a young kitten or puppy from a Tucson animal shelter, you might be surprised to learn your new pet has already been spayed or neutered—sometimes as young as 8 weeks old. For many pet owners, this raises concerns: Isn’t that too young? Won’t early surgery harm my pet’s development? The science tells […]

As a Tucson pet owner, you’ve likely heard your veterinarian mention spaying or neutering your dog or cat. But do you understand the difference between these two standard surgical procedures? While both fall under the umbrella of pet sterilization, they’re actually quite different—and understanding these distinctions helps you make informed decisions about your pet’s reproductive […]