Pet Health

This page offers you some general information about diseases or problems that could affect your dog or cat. It is not meant to be a substitute for a visit to the vet but to make you more knowledgeable concerning these common issues and their vaccines. If you have any questions or would like more information please do not hesitate to ask one of our staff.

Fleas
Fleas not only make your pet miserable but can also contribute to blood loss anemia and can transmit tapeworms to your pet. The flea is a small, brown, wingless insect that uses specialized mouth parts to pierce the skin and siphon blood. When a flea bites your dog, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin to prevent blood coagulation. Many dogs become sensitized to this saliva and will scratch and chew madly until the skin is hairless, red, raw and weeping serum. Check your dog carefully for fleas or for signs of flea excrement (also called flea dirt), which looks like coarsely ground pepper. When moistened, flea dirt turns a reddish brown because it contains blood. An adult flea may also contain tapeworm eggs, which once ingested through grooming or biting, grow to maturity in your pet’s small intestine. You can control and prevent fleas through oral or topical systemic treatments that kill the larva and eggs or the adult fleas.

Heartworm
If your dog or cat spends more than a few minutes a day outdoors or is exposed to mosquitoes they may be at risk for heartworm disease. Adult heartworms can grow up to a foot long, usually in the arteries of the lungs and can cause heart damage, organ failure and if left untreated, death. Untreated dogs with heartworm will become lethargic, have no appetite and have difficulty breathing. Monthly topical medications are available and longer lasting preventatives come in doses that provides up to six months of continuous protection.

Ringworm
Ringworm is caused by a microscopic fungal organism that results in skin disease to animals and humans. The fungus invades the growing hair shaft and feeds on the protein contained in the hair and skin. It is very contagious and is spread by direct contact with an infected animal or person, or with infected bedding and grooming items. Early symptoms on pets include dry, flaky skin, broken hair, and bald patches on ears, front legs and around the eyes. More advanced signs of the fungus include crusty lesions and infected areas that become red and sore. It is called ringworm because healing occurs from the center out, creating a ring effect. A vaccine exists for prevention and treatment includes a topical application.

Spaying or Neutering
Spaying is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes) of the female animal. Neutering (castration) is the surgical removal of the reproductive glands (testes) of the male animal. The sterilization surgery is performed under a general anesthesia. Dogs should be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age while cats can have the procedure as young as 4 months. In addition to saving lives, spaying and neutering can also drastically improve your pet's health and life expectancy. A spayed female is less likely to get uterine and ovarian cancer, and breast cancer, and the procedure eliminates mood swings, undesirable behaviors, and messy spotting associate with the heat cycle. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. It also will make your pet more affectionate and less likely to roam, get in fights, or become lost.

Ticks
When a hungry tick senses a warm object passing by, it attaches itself by clinging to clothing or fur and inserting pincher-like mouthparts into the skin and begins feeding. These mouthparts are locked in place and will only dislodge when the tick has completed the meal or you remove it. Some ticks can transmit serious diseases to dogs and even humans (Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease). Remove them with sterilized tweezers or a paper towel, grasping the tick’s head and body as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull slowly and patiently. Do not leave the head imbedded since it will mix its’ blood with your pet’s and probably cause an infection. If it’s still on the site, place a single drop of alcohol on it and repeat up to ten times until it dislodges. Flush the removed tick down the toilet.

Dental Disease

Plaque or Tartar on your pets' teeth can affect your pets' health. Plaque is made up of bacteria, proteins, and food. Bacteria can spread throughout your pets bloodstream causing damage to your pets' major organs. Plaque harbors bacteria that can infect gum tissue and the roots of teeth, which can cause tooth loss. A sore mouth can affect your pets eating and behavior, as well.

Intestinal Parasites

Intestinal parasites live in your pet's intestinal tract. These parasites can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. The most common types we see are Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, and Tapeworms. If left untreated some intestinal parasites can cause severe illness and even death. A microscopic stool check is recommended on a yearly basis to detect these parasites. Most intestinal parasites are not visible to the naked eye.

Canine Heat Cycle

Estrus ("heat) is the mating period of female animals. Dogs generally have their first heat cycle at 6 - 12 months of age. Some females of the large breeds, however, may not have their first heat cycle until they are 12 - 24 months of age.The heat cycle can be divided into 4 stages:
1st stage: Proestrus - this stage begins with the appearance of vaginal bleeding. It normally lasts from 4 - 9 days. Male dogs become interested but the female will not mate them.
2nd stage: Estrus - this is the stage in which the female will accept the male and conception can occur. The vaginal discharge is more yellowish than bloody. It normally lasts 4 - 13 days.
3rd & 4th stage: Metestrus & Anestrus: these 2 stages are periods of ovarian activity, but with no outward signs. False pregnancies frequently occur during metestrus.
*When your dog is in heat, the blood flow to the uterus is substantially greater. This is why there is an additional charge to spay a dog during its heat cycle.


Feline Heat Cycle

Estrus ("heat") is the mating period of female animals. Cats normally have their first heat cycle between 5 - 10 months of age, with the average age around 6 months. The female cat has 2 - 4 heat cycles every year, each lasting about 15 -22 days. If she is bred, the heat cycle seldom lasts more than 4 days. If successful mating does not occur, estrus may last for 7 -10 days and recur at 15 - 21 day intervals. It is possible for an unmated female to cycle every 3 - 4 weeks indefinitely. Cats also have a heat cycle 1 -6 weeks after giving birth, so a female may be nursing one litter while pregnant with another. Cats do not have any vaginal discharge or swelling of the genitals during their heat cycle, as seen in dogs. Behavioral changes are they only obvious signs. A cat in heat carries her tail to one side, keeps her hindquarters elevated, exhibits "treading" movements of the hind legs, and seems unusually affectionate. She spends a good deal of the time rolling on the floor and seems very restless. The cat's voice seems more piercing than usual and she may "call" for 1 - 2 days before she accepts the male.