Frequently Asked Questions

Suggested reading:
What is heart worm disease?http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm188470.htm#TheHeartwormLifecycleInDogs

Since heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, why do I need to give heart worm prevention during the winter months? Good question! The answer is for two reasons: 1) The risk is just too great. All it takes is ONE MOSQUITO BITE to transmit heartworms and cause heartworm disease. 2) The heartworm prevention products that we carry also protect against many common intestinal parasites, which dogs can be exposed to year-round. Intestinal parasites can cause weight loss and anemia, and in severe cases, death.

If my dog tests positive for heartworms, are there treatment options? Yes! Your Veterinarian will help you decide on the best course of action and care for your pet, based on their age and wellness, to eliminate heartworms as quickly and safely as possible.

Can cats get heartworm disease? Yes, but very rarely. Their risk is much lower because they are much less susceptible to heartworms, and cats are called “a resistant host” because heartworms do not thrive well within a cat’s body.

I have a flea infestation on my property! How can I get rid of them? A parasite invasion is no fun at all. That one stray cat hung around your cat for a few days, and now your cat can’t stop scratching, your dog can’t stop scratching, and you’re even starting to find bites on you!

Thankfully, you don’t have to live with it, but it is a 3 step process: treat the pets, treat the yard, and treat the house. It is very important to get Veterinary-Strength flea and tick control for each pet, (not just the ones that come inside)! Although store brands are cheaper, they are simply not effective. And remember: any product can only be as good as the environment. If you don’t treat your house and yard, you will continue to see fleas! If you are a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) person, we offer Virbac’s Yard Spray for your outdoor areas, and Virbac’s Knockout E.S. Spray for indoor areas. You may also choose to have your home professionally treated. And finally, keep each of your pets on flea and tick prevention year-round to prevent re-infestation!

Which vaccines do dogs and cats need?

Required:

–RABIES VACCINE. Required for dogs and cats.

Highly Recommended for Dogs:

-DA2PP VACCINE (Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza). Common canine viruses.

-LEPTOSPIROSIS VACCINE (for outdoor dogs). A bacterial disease found in the feces of rodents.

-BORDETELLA VACCINE. “Kennel Cough,” a highly infectious respiratory illness.

Suggested for Dogs:

-FLU VACCINE. Flu-like symptoms, highly contagious. Due to recent outbreak, many groomers and boarding kennels now require.

-LYME VACCINE (for outdoor dogs). Lyme’s disease, transmitted by ticks.

Recommended for Cats:

-FVRCCP/FELV (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydia, Panleukopenia, and Feline Leukemia). Common feline viruses.

When should dogs and cats be spayed/neutered? We typically recommend spaying and neutering puppies and kittens between 5 and 6 months of age.

What are the benefits of spay/neutering? When a male dog is neutered at the recommended age, he is much less likely to develop aggressive and territorial behavior patterns. When a male dog is not neutered, he may become prone to “marking his territory” with urine, (very problematic for indoor dogs!), prone to running away from home in search of a female, and prone to fighting with other dogs. He may develop a tendency to exhibit aggressive behavior towards people. Intact male dogs are also at risk for testicular cancer.

Intact male dogs can smell the scent of a female in heat from a great distance and will travel to her, so we highly recommend spaying your female dog to reduce the risk of an accidental pregnancy. Intact female dogs are also at risk to develop pyometra, (an infection of the uterus). The bleeding from a heat cycle can also be problematic for indoor dogs.