Click on a question or topic below to view it's related information.
How can I tell if my dog has worms?
There are several common worms that a dog can potentially have: heartworms, hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms and whipworms. While all can cause internal irritation and damage to your dog, heartworms can be fatal. Therefore, your veterinarian routinely must test your dog for these. Your vet will take a stool sample from your dog and look for worms under a microscope. Meanwhile, if you should see what might be worms or worm pieces in your dog’s stool, bring him or her in for treatment as soon as possible.
What are heartworms and how do animals get them?
The heartworm is a parasitic roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis) that is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes. The heartworm is a type of filaria, a small thread-like worm. The definitive host is the dog but it can also infect cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other animals, such as ferrets, sea lions and even, under very rare circumstances, humans. The parasite is commonly called "heartworm" because the adult reproductive stage of its life cycle resides primarily in the right atrium of its host where it can live for many years. Heartworm infection may result in serious disease for the host; infected dogs that are untreated may die
At what age should I begin vaccinations for my cat/dog?
Puppies and kittens should start their vaccination series after they have completed weaning, usually around 8 weeks old. At the first visit, your veterinarian will give you information about which vaccines are recommended for your pet and will explain the vaccination schedule. The series of vaccines are given 3-4 weeks apart. If there is a lapse longer than this the series may need to start over.The series lasts until 16-20 weeks of age.
I found/adopted a stray cat.. is there anything I should do with it before allowing it to mingle with my other pet(s)?
Yes, you should have the new cat examined by your veterinarian before introducing him/her to your other pet(s). The new cat should be tested for FIV and feline Leukemia, two deadly diseases that could be transmitted to your cats. We strongly recommend that you have your new cats vaccinated as soon as possible.
How old should my pet be before he/she can be spayed or neutered?
Traditionally veterinarians have recommended spaying/neutering around 6 months of age, however prepubertal (8 to 12 weeks of age) spaying/neutering has gained increasing support. Most veterinarians recommend that females be spayed before their first estrus or “heat” period to maximize the procedure’s cancer-sparing benefits. Because all pets are individuals, talk to your veterinarian about the best time to neuter your particular pet.
My dog is scooting his behind on the floor, is something wrong with him/her?
Scooting or dragging of the rear end along the floor or ground, can be a signal to you as a pet owner of a few concerns. Normally this indicates that something is irritating the area under the tail of your pet, and the act of scooting or dragging the rear end along the floor serves to soothe this irritation. Among the more common conditions that are responsible for irritation of this area include: Tapeworm infection, swollen or impacted anal glands, stool or dried fecal material stuck to the hair under the tail, skin irritation or infection in this area.
How can I determine whether my pet is in pain?
Here are some clues:
• self mutilation
• excessive licking
• snapping when touched
• restlessness
• hesitation going up stairs
• inappetance
• posture changes
• dilated pupils
• panting
• vocalization
• inappropriate urination
• limping/lameness
• sudden behavior changes
If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, or you have other reasons to suspect that there is a problem, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why does my dog chew on his/her hind legs and feet?
Chewing on feet and hind legs is a classic sign of allergies in dogs.
Flea allergies –The most common allergy dogs experience is a reaction to flea bites, called flea allergy dermatitis. Even if your dog is protected against fleas by a collar or treatment, one flea can secrete enough saliva in a bite to cause itching and discomfort.
Food or shampoo – Dogs can also be allergic to ingredients in their food or shampoo.
Pollen – They can even have reactions to some of the same things that cause human hay fever: pollen, dust, mold and grasses.
We can help you determine if your dog is being bothered by one of these allergies or if there is another underlying medical issue causing this behavior. If it is a food allergy, you may be able to simply change your dog's diet. Other allergies can be treated with an antihistamine or steroid prescription.
My dog is eating grass.. is he trying to calm his upset stomach, or is this a myth?
Nearly every dog eats grass sometimes, and some dogs eat it all the time. You would think that we would have a pretty good idea by now of why they do it. But we don't. Veterinarians still aren't sure if dogs eat grass because their stomachs are upset or if their stomachs get upset after they eat grass. However, many vets suspect it's the former, because dogs who are energetic and perky seem to be able to eat grass without getting sick afterward. It seems likely that there's something in grass that does stimulate the urge to vomit.
Unless your dog is in the habit of regurgitating grass on the dining room floor, there's no reason to worry about it. Dogs have been eating grass for thousands or tens of thousands of years, and there's no evidence at all that it's bad for them. That isn't the case, however, when grass has been treated with insecticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. Most products say on the label whether they're dangerous for pets. In any event, you should certainly keep dogs away from grass soon after chemicals have been applied. Most products break down fairly quickly, but they can be quite dangerous if your dog eats them while they're fresh. If your dog has recently consumed grass that you believe to have been treated and is displaying any unusual symptoms, please contact poison control.
Is it ok for me to give my dog milk?
Few dog owners know that most dogs tend to be lactose intolerant. This means that they lack the enzyme lactase, which allows the digestive system to break down the kind of sugar contained in milk. Dogs that lack this enzyme end up with a lot of undigested sugar in their intestinal tract, which creates a wonderful breeding environment for bacteria. When a lot of bacteria grows in the intestinal tract it can irritate the stomach and intestine and cause vomiting and diarrhea. These are the same problems that occur in lactose-intolerant people. |
