Paw in Hand Veterinary Care

05/09/2026

Some dogs rarely need their nails trimmed, and others need regular trims to ensure nails don’t grow out to uncomfortable lengths. When nails overgrow, it alters the weight-bearing surfaces and can cause secondary issues like hyperkeratosis of the digital pads (seen here in the second photo).

Many dogs, like the one pictured here, hate having their nails trimmed, and it can be very difficult or impossible to do at home. (Please, no shade toward the owner of this dog! She was brought in for help today and that’s what counts.) The left foot (on the right of the photo) is before trimming, and the right foot (on the left of the image) nails have been trimmed to a more comfortable and healthy length.

If your dog hates nail trims, sometimes we can do it safely and effectively at the clinic because of our expert animal handling staff and quick and efficient clipping. Other times, a dog can benefit from an oral anxiety medication prior to the nail trim to reduce their fear. In other cases, it works best to have injectable sedation on board for dogs that really truly will not tolerate having their feet touched.

Contact us for help if you are worried your dog’s nails are too long but they are “difficult” about trims!

05/06/2026

04/30/2026

We recently received word from the state public health veterinarian that a 10 month old puppy was confirmed to have rabies in eastern New Mexico this week. Uncharacteristic aggression and neurologic abnormalities were noticed after a tussle with a skunk two weeks prior.

Rabies vaccination remains incredibly important as a way to protect both our pets and the public health. Rabies is not treatable but is 100% preventable!

04/24/2026

Guess what? It’s flea season! Ewwwww. Many people are under the mistaken impression that we don’t have fleas in the desert. While it is certainly true that fleas tend to proliferate faster in humid environments, anywhere there is a host, fleas can and will reproduce!

Here at the clinic, we have seen patients infested with both “stick tight” fleas (Echidnophaga gallinacea) and jumping fleas (Ctenocephalides felis or canis). The former tend to be associated with poultry, but are happy to snack on your dog’s or cat’s blood. They are stuck to the skin, as the name implies, and are usually found in lightly haired areas, such as at the margins of the ears, around the eyes, and on the bridge of the nose. The latter are your classic jumping flea, which disappears as soon as you see it because of their powerful back legs and ability to jump several feet. These fleas can complete their entire life cycle indoors, which means that if one adult flea jumps on your pet while they are outside in the yard, pretty soon there will be flea eggs, larva, and puke throughout cracks and crevices in your house.

While some animals are allergic to fleas and have severe itching in response to flea bites, many other pets have only minor itching so it can take quite a while to realize an investigation has occurred.

At least monthly we hear from pet owners who have been battling flea problems by bathing animals, flea bombing their home, throwing out furniture, etc. We want to make sure all our clients know that it can be much simpler than this! Treating all dogs and cats in the home with a product that kills live fleas and stays active in the system for at least two months will ultimately eradicate all stages of the lifecycle.

Ask us about flea prevention options today. We have certain sizes and types on sale through May only.

03/20/2026

Our client and wonderful trainer Nathaniel of Pawsitively Transformational is offering this canine behavior discussion centered on resource guarding tomorrow morning. It is free.

1200 Indiana Ave 9:30-10:30am.

02/16/2026

We are excited to welcome several new staff members to Paw in Hand. Jennie Jennings, practice manager, comes from a long career in veterinary medicine, including experience in emergency medicine, exotic pets, and higher education. Zach Bates, veterinary assistant, recently moved to Alamogordo from a busy clinic in Texas. Ian Smith, front desk client services, brings the experience of a career in the Navy to the team. Owen Gardner, veterinary assistant, is starting his working career by exploring his interest in animals.

They join Destiny Mote, kennel assistant, Samantha Anderson, veterinary assistant, and Nadia Gallegos, front desk client services. Carina and Nyssa have recently moved on to new endeavors. Please help us welcome our new team members!

12/11/2025

NOW is the time to request refills of medications you will be needing through the end of the month. Don’t wait, as we will be closed for the holiday beginning December 24th. We will reopen on December 29th.

10/29/2025

Halloween is lots of fun, but comes with potential risks to your pets. Please keep them safe this holiday by ensuring they don’t have access to chocolate, Xylitol, or other toxic (to pets) substances commonly found in candy.

10/12/2025

We hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday as much as Robin is enjoying his sun bath.

10/06/2025

Paw in Hand Veterinary Care is proud to be partnering with Vet Triage for after hours emergency care.

Effective immediately, if your pet is experiencing an urgent or emergency health crisis outside of our regular business hours, please visit VetTriage.com/pih to be connected virtually with a live veterinarian.