Dog & Cat -Medical

– Which vaccinations does my dog need?
The vaccinations needed for your dog’s health are: Rabies,  Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Bordatella, Lyme, Leptosporosis and Corona. It’s likely your dog does not need all of these vaccines. Your dog´s vaccination program should be taylored by your veterinarian for your pet’s particular needs.

– Which vaccinations does my cat need?
The vaccinations needed for your cat´s health are: Rabies, feline distemper, feline calicivirus, feline rhinotracheitis and leukemia. Not all cats will require every vaccine.

– I know my dog should be neutered. I am curious as to whether his testicles will be removed during the surgery?
When a male dog is neutered a small incision is made above the testicles and the testicles are removed.

– How do I know if my pet has an ear infection?
Ear infections can cause your pet a great deal of pain. Look for signs of head shaking, scratching and smelly discharge or dark colored earwax. These are all possible symptoms of an ear infection. If you suspect a problem, bring your pet in for proper medical care.

– Is it normal for my cat to vomit hair?
It is normal for a cat to vomit hair. This is called a hairball and is especially common in cats that have long hair. Several companies make foods formulated to help with hairballs.

– At what age does my pet need to be protected from heartworms?
Heartworm preventative treatment should be started at your pet’s first vaccination appointment at 8 weeks of age. Dogs over the age of six months should be tested for the presence of heartworms before prevention is started.

– How is my pet tested for heartworms?
The way your veterinarian checks for heartworm is by taking a blood sample from your pet. It is mixed with a special solution and incubated with tracer molecules that bind with any signs of heartworm in your pet, producing a positive color change. A drop of blood is also examined under the microscope to look for larvae in the dog’s blood stream.

– Should I have my new puppy checked for heartworm?
If your puppy is less than 6 months old, you don´t need to check him for heartworm before starting prevention.

– How does a mosquito pick up the heartworm larvae?
A mosquito picks up heartworm larvae by drawing blood from an infected dog. When the mosquito bites another dog, it passes on the immature heartworm know as microfilaria to that pet.

– What are heartworms?
Heartworms are worm-like parasites that grow to be about 14 inches long and live in the right side of a dog´s heart. The larvae of the parasite are transmitted to dogs through mosquitoes. The growth of the heartworms can block the flow of blood to your pet´s heart and eventually cause death. It is important to have your pet tested for this disease if you suspect he may have it. Cats can also get heartworms. Ask your pet’s doctor for preventative medication.

– Is it possible to get hookworm from my pets?
Humans usually don´t get intestinal hookworm from their pets. However, the small canine hookworm larvae may penetrate a person´s skin and cause a raised, red, itchy reaction called cutaneous larva migrans. In rare cases, certain types or hookworms can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in humans.  Checking your pet for intestinal parasites yearly and giving monthly preventative reduces spreading of worms.

– How can I tell if my pet has mange?
If you suspect your pet has mange an exam by a veterinarian is needed. To tell if your pet has mange, a microscopic examination of a skin specimen is required. Treatment depends on what type of mange your pet may have. Some types are contagious to humans and other pets and some are not.

– What is the best way to put medicine in my pet´s eyes?
The best way to put eye drops in your pet´s eye is to point their nose up and hold the eye drops above the eye while holding the eyelid up. Be sure not to touch the bottle or dropper to the eye. Ointment can be applied under the lower eyelid.

– Is it really true that a cold wet nose means my pet is healthy?
A cold, wet nose is not necessarily a sign that your pet is healthy. The idea is misleading. Animals sweat on their noses and footpads. Wet noses may be normal, or they can indicate that your pet has a respiratory disorder.

– Is being overweight a serious health problem in pets?
Obesity is a serious problem for animals. Being overweight can cause liver disease, pancreatitis, arthritis, back and heart problems. He may become overheated more easily causing heat stroke. Difficulty in breathing and walking is also apparent in overweight animals.

– Is it true that houseplants can be poisonous to pets?
Houseplants in general can be poisonous to cats. Many common plants are toxic to your pet if she chews or ingests them. These include Jade plants, Philodendron, Easter Lilies, Poinsettia, Iris, Mistletoe, and English Ivy.

– Just exactly what are roundworms?
Roundworms are 4 to 5 inch long parasites that attack the small intestines and respiratory tract of dogs. They are most prevalent in puppies. The worms can be transmitted from the mother to the pups in the womb. Symptoms are: mucus – stained stools, dull coat, vomited roundworm segments that look like coiled spaghetti. Puppies may have a potbelly. The best treatment is to see your veterinarian for deworming. Children can contract roundworms and develop serious health problems. All puppies and kittens should be checked and treated for worms several times.

– What does it mean if my pet´s stool is like black tar?
A black tar-like stool may indicate worms or another problem. Bring your pet in for an examination. Oxydized blood in stool appears tar-like.

– What does it mean if my pet has a light-colored, chalky stool?
If your pet has a light-colored, chalky stool it may be a problem with his pancreas. If you have been feeding him bones other than rawhide, this may be the cause. It is important not to feed your pet any bones, for while they seem harmless, they can splinter and cause serious problems.

– What does it mean if my pet has blood in her stool?
Blood in a pet´s stool may indicate several things. Perhaps it is a minor irritation in the large intestine that could clear up in a day or it could be something more serious. It is a good idea to bring the pet in for an examination to determine the actual cause and appropriate treatment.

– Should I give my pet medicine for heartworms?
Yes, every dog and cat should be on heartworm prevention. If you are just starting your dog on prevention, your veterinarian will do a heartworm test first to insure there is no active infection. Cats can be started on heartworm prevention without testing first.

– What are tapeworms?
Tapeworms are an intestinal parasite your pet gets from swallowing a flea that is carrying tapeworm eggs. If your pet has tapeworms contact your veterinarian for medication to eliminate them. You will also need to treat your pet and his environment for fleas.

– My pet drinks a lot of water then seems to urinate a lot. Is something wrong with him?
Excessive drinking and urination is called polydipsia polyuria. There are several possible causes. Your veterinarian will do an exam and lab work to determine the cause and appropriate treatment for your particular pet.

– What should I do for my pet if he is having a seizure?
Sometimes animals will have seizures that can be quite frightening. Look for signs of muscle twitching, collapse, uncontrolled shivering thrashing, uncontrolled urination and defecation. The best medicine is to keep the environment quiet and prevent the animal from hurting itself. When coming out of a seizure, sometimes a pet is disoriented and may bark at you or members of your family out of fear. Speak to him in a quiet, reassuring voice and allow the event to pass. Consult your veterinarian to determine the cause of the seizure and possible treatment.