Alamo Heights Pet Clinic

Dr. Kirby is by far the best veterinarian I have ever had for my two dogs over decades. Recently, as always, he called, personally, and said, "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it. Her blood tests are excellent!" We discussed her slightly elevated SMDA when I called him again, which I will re-check with urinalysis, creatinine and bun. He ran a Geriatric Profile and sent her bloodwork to Texas A&M. Her PSL, which measures pancreatitis and pancreatic flares, is 103, which is normal range (24-140) I cook her meals with Whole Planet no salt canned chicken, 2.5% fat maximum, a little rice, and I bake a meal of sweet potatoes, replacing recommended fat in the recipe with pumpkin or, lately applesauce, so no fat, egg whites, organic oat flour, carrots, and I have added a little oatmeal, etc. I started cooking her meals because I realized her bouts of diarrhea were connected with her food--the Royal Canine hydrolyzed protein. I tried to feed her Hills, as Blue Pearl advised with 1.5% fat, and she got sick because it has chicken but also pork. I tried various other prescription dog foods, hydrolyzed, and even with pork, because vets advised to try again, although I knew she was either allergic or intolerant to pork, causing vomiting and diarrhea. I asked him to check for kidney disease because on a visit to Banfield, she had an abnormal creatinine and bun. But he said, "It's usually higher in-house." He said, "Her Creatinine was 1.5, normal is 0.5-1.6." Her Bun was 23, normal is 6-31. Her Bun/Creatinine ratio is 15, normal is 4-27. He checked her heart with his state-of-the-art ultrasound. I see him every year and in-between if there is a concern. He always calls back. When I asked him about the supplement I add to her food, he said he was pleased. Dr. Kirby loves animals! When he's pleased, I'm pleased! He called me to pick up my dog, and I was already in the office. We waited a long time after paying, but I didn't mind because the staff was so courteous, considerate throughout, informative by calling about a delay due to an emergency, and apologetic for the delay in bringing my dog out. Fantastic job, team! Now, here is one recipe for moist low fat dry dog food: 1. remember to use carrots alternately and sweet potatoes in moderation because, although good for dogs, sweet potatoes have oxalates. 1-2 sweet potatoes, 1/4-1/3 cup applesauce or pumpkin. Applesauce tastes better, and pumpkin is great but also has ingredients that should be moderated; 2-4 egg whites, no yolk, the tiniest bit of oatmeal (optional). Boil all ingredients to cook, blend to liquify, add organic oat flour to desired consistency. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes, add extra minutes to ensure there is no raw dough left. Bake either on a platter or sometimes I make little muffins or pop them in her doggy bone maker. She loves them! She eats white rice, carrots, oatmeal and organic whole planet chicken breast, green beans (non-stringy) blended to mush topped on rice, with these nuggets on the side. I pick little carrots out of frozen peas and carrots because I have found a hard core in even the smallest bag of carrots. No peas, due to oxalates. You can occasionally give brown rice if your dog can digest it, but it's not easily digestible. I do keep her on the recommended lower protein for kidney health and seniors! Dr. Kirby gave her a B12 shot before the blood test results came back. She is usually energetic, but with that shot, it was like she was dancing! Did you know B-12 can help arthritis? I will keep doing what I am doing because Sookie still goes for walks, and I have to stop her from going too far. She has a super great appetite! This morning, I saw her on the couch and wondered how she maneuvered office file boxes I needed to put away to get up there. She wisely barks for my husband to take her down. The video of her playing is before the B12 shot.

The stand-in vet prescribed my cat meloxicam for two months which caused his kidneys to fail since it’s actually a dog medication and not used for long term in cats, sometimes used off label short term. He had lost two pounds, I didn’t think he would make it. I brought him in when he stopped eating for a week and all they did was repeat xrays, tell me to stop the meds, and then advised me to just syringe feed him. They also don’t let you go back with your pets, so I have no idea what was going on. I had to take him to a new vet who did blood tests and found out it was kidney failure. These people almost killed my cat, and it wasn’t even worth it because he was still in pain the whole time, they told me they couldn’t give anything else for his pain. I’ll never be going back. I feel bad because I don’t think it was Dr. Kirby’s fault directly, he does care, but overall I won’t be going back.

Dr Kirby is by far the most dedicated vet I know. He has cared for my animals for years. His vast knowledge and love for animals makes me trust him completely. Well worth driving 20+ miles for my fur babies health.

We highly recommend Alamo Heights Pet Clinic! This is the best Veterinary Clinic, ever! The doctor who takes care of your dog keeps you informed on any treatment, results, the same day, personally! Every time we take the puppies, the service is 5 Star. The Office Staff are informed and love their jobs. Love it!

AMAZING VET. Nicest caring man. There’s a vile tech in the office though. Crystal was her name. Incredibly rude, speaks and stares at customers like they’re idiots. NO THANKS. I’ll take my two dogs somewhere else. If she speaks to people like that I shudder to think what she does to animals when people are not around. The worst part is, I was trying to get my new puppy in as a new patient! My older dog had only been in once before for a check up and vaccines. She wasn’t around for our first visit. That experience was amazing. I feel sorry for the Doctor losing business but there’s no excuse for that behavior. HARD PASS.