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Dr. Roy Madigan, D.V.M., is not just a veterinarian. He is one of the leading experts in canine Chagas disease in the United States.
 
• Founder of Vida Pharmacal, focused on breakthrough parasitic disease treatments
 • Filed the first veterinary drug patent for anti-T. cruzi activity in dogs
 • Principal scientist for the U.S. military working dog Chagas treatment study
 • Veterinary lead for the Texas Chagas Task Force alongside the CDC and UT Health
 • Pioneer in developing diagnostic and treatment protocols for infected dogs
 
Your pet is being treated by the same expert helping shape how Chagas disease is understood nationwide.

Get In Touch

Chagas disease progresses in stages. The earlier it is identified:
 
 • The more treatment options are available
 • The better heart damage can be managed
 • The higher the chance of improving quality of life
 
Waiting can mean irreversible cardiac damage.

Early Detection. Advanced Treatment. Led by One of the Nation’s Top Experts.

Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

Chagas disease is often silent early on, but warning signs may include:
 
 • Lethargy or decreased activity
 • Fainting or collapse
 • Irregular heartbeat
 • Difficulty breathing
 • Unexplained weight loss
 
If your dog spends time outdoors, lives in Central Texas, or has been exposed to insects, they may be at risk even without symptoms.

If your dog may have been exposed to kissing bugs, do not wait. Chagas disease can silently damage the heart before symptoms appear. Early diagnosis can make the difference.

At Central Texas Vet, we go beyond standard testing.
Dr. Madigan is actively developing advanced serologic testing methods to improve detection accuracy.
 
Your dog’s evaluation may include:
 
 • Comprehensive physical exam
 • Cardiac screening
 • Specialized blood testing for T. cruzi
 • Advanced diagnostics when needed
 
Early detection allows for better management and improved outcomes.

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by “kissing bugs” commonly found in Texas.
Once infected, dogs may appear normal while the parasite attacks the heart and other organs.
 
Without intervention, Chagas can lead to:
 
 • Heart disease
 • Arrhythmias
 • Sudden death

Questions? We Have Answers

If your dog may be at risk, schedule an evaluation today and get answers from one of the leading experts in the field.

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At The Animal Hospital of Smithson Valley, we go beyond standard testing.Dr. Madigan is actively developing advanced serologic testing methods to improve detection accuracy.Your dog’s evaluation may include:<ul><li>Comprehensive physical exam</li><li>Cardiac screening</li><li>Specialized blood testing for T. cruzi</li><li>Advanced diagnostics when needed</li></ul>Early detection allows for better management and improved outcomes.

Dr. Roy Madigan, D.V.M., is not just a veterinarian. He is one of the leading experts in canine Chagas disease in the United States.<ul><li>Founder of Vida Pharmacal, focused on breakthrough parasitic disease treatments</li><li>Filed the first veterinary drug patent for anti-T. cruzi activity in dogs</li><li>Principal scientist for the U.S. military working dog Chagas treatment study</li><li>Veterinary lead for the Texas Chagas Task Force alongside the CDC and UT Health</li><li>Pioneer in developing diagnostic and treatment protocols for infected dogs</li></ul>Your pet is being treated by the same expert helping shape how Chagas disease is understood nationwide.

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by “kissing bugs” commonly found in Texas.Once infected, dogs may appear normal while the parasite attacks the heart and other organs.Without intervention, Chagas can lead to:<ul><li>Sudden death</li><li>Heart disease</li><li>Arrhythmias</li></ul>

Chagas disease progresses in stages. The earlier it is identified:<ul><li>The more treatment options are available</li><li>The better heart damage can be managed</li><li>The higher the chance of improving quality of life</li></ul>Waiting can mean irreversible cardiac damage.

Chagas disease is often silent early on, but warning signs may include:<ul><li>Lethargy or decreased activity</li><li>Fainting or collapse</li><li>Irregular heartbeat</li><li>Difficulty breathing</li><li>Unexplained weight loss</li></ul>If your dog spends time outdoors, lives in Central Texas, or has been exposed to insects, they may be at risk even without symptoms.

chagas-disease-ahsv

Chagas disease progresses in stages. The earlier it is identified:
 
 • The more treatment options are available
 • The better heart damage can be managed
 • The higher the chance of improving quality of&nbsp; life
 
Waiting can mean irreversible cardiac damage.<div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>

Chagas disease is often silent early on, but warning signs may include:
 
 • Lethargy or decreased activity
 • Fainting or collapse
 • Irregular heartbeat
 • Difficulty breathing
 • Unexplained weight loss
 
If your dog spends time outdoors, lives in Central Texas, or has been exposed to insects, they may be at risk even without symptoms.<div> </div><div> </div>

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Has your dog been whining a lot lately? Are you worried about what could be causing this behavior? Is whining ever normal in dogs, or is it always a cause for concern?As a pet owner, it’s perfectly normal to wonder if your pet’s odd behaviors mean anything serious. In some instances, whining can be an indicator of a severe problem. In others, however, the cause of this behavior could be something completely benign. It’s up to you (and your vet) to work to determine what’s going on with your dog.In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of whining in dogs. With the help of this information, you can narrow down the possibilities for your own pet.&nbsp;BeggingBegging may sometimes be accompanied by whining in dogs, especially if you have something your dog really wants. While some dogs may never whine while begging, others may be very prone to this combination of behaviors.If you notice your dog staring at you while you’re eating, and you can see that she is whining and shaking, begging is the likely culprit. Make sure you don’t engage your dog when this happens, as you may accidentally teach her to repeat the behavior. Instead, just ignore her and go about eating your food as if she isn’t there.Wanting AttentionOne common cause of whining behavior in dogs—and especially in puppies and younger dogs—is attention seeking. If your dog is the type to want you to play with and cuddle her all the time, she may be prone to whining at you when you aren’t looking at or interacting with her.Although it can be difficult to do so, it’s best to ignore your dog when she does this. If you respond to her requests for attention, she will quickly learn to whine any time she wants you to look at her. Wait until she settles down, and then interact with her.&nbsp;PainPain is a common cause of whining behavior in dogs. Pain that leads to whining may range from something as simple as a broken toenail to something as serious as internal organ damage. Some dogs are much calmer and quieter when in pain than others, so consider your dog’s usual behavior to figure out if she might be showing signs of pain.If your dog is whining from pain and you know how she got hurt, or you can see that she is visibly injured, take her to the emergency vet right away for treatment.&nbsp;NauseaNausea may sometimes cause dogs to whine. While some dogs will never whine with nausea, others will start whining as soon as they first feel this symptom. The longer the nausea persists, the more the dog may start whining. You may also notice shaking behavior along with nausea-related whining, and your dog may yawn or lick her mouth frequently, too.While nausea will typically pass on its own, it’s important to consider what could be causing your dog to feel this way. She may have eaten something that has upset her stomach, but she could have an infection or illness instead.&nbsp;AnxietyAnxiety is one of the most common causes of whining in dogs. Dogs who are anxious, afraid, or nervous may start whining the longer they remain in this state. If your dog is whining while shaking, and especially if something has happened in the last few minutes to scare her, then anxiety is probably the cause.Dogs who whine a lot when they are left at home alone are probably whining due to separation anxiety. On the other hand, dogs who whine during fireworks or thunder are likely responding to these fears instead.IllnessMost of the time, if a dog is whining due to illness, the whining is more closely related to pain. However, some dogs may whine as a result of certain symptoms too.For example, if your dog is very sick with a respiratory infection, her inability to breathe well through her nose may be upsetting to her. This could cause her to whine. More serious illnesses are more likely to cause significant whining in dogs, so pay attention to the signs and go to the vet if you suspect your dog is sick with something serious.<h2 dir="auto" style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.1">Conclusion</h2>Many of the potential causes of whining in dogs are mild or moderate, and they can be resolved on your own at home or with a quick trip to the vet. In some cases, however, whining may be caused by a severe issue. If you suspect your pet is dealing with a more serious problem, go to the emergency vet right away.The sooner you get your pet seen by a professional, the sooner you can help her start on the road to recovery. By paying attention to behavioral changes such as increased whining, you can stay on top of potential pet health issues.

As a pet owner, it's perfectly normal to wonder if your pet's odd behaviors mean anything serious. In some instances, whining can be an indicator of a severe problem. In others, however, the cause of this behavior could be something completely benign. It's up to you (and your vet) to work to determine what's going on with your dog.



Why is my Dog Whining?

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