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F A Q's
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Frequently
Asked Questions
Here are some of the
most common questions that we hear from pet owners
These are meant as a general reference, and not as a substitute for a
complete physical examination and diagnosis by a Veterinarian. If your pet is experiencing
any health problems, please call our office to make an appointment with a doctor.
Q: What are Heartworms and how do I
protect my dog from them?
A:
Heartworms are parasites that are
transmitted by mosquitoes and can be a problem all year round in our
area. Once a dog is infected, the heartworms will begin to live in the
heart and lungs, causing long-term damage and possibly becoming life
threatening. Prevention is easy and cost-effective with a product called Heartgard Plus that also protects against
hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. We also carry Iverhart, which is
less expensive and protect against tapeworms (which come from fleas). For
more details, ask a technician or one of the doctors.
Q: My pets have fleas, what is the best
protection?
A:
Our hospital uses
and recommends Frontline Plus flea control products, which is a drop-on treatment. Our entire staff
uses Frontline on their pets because it is the easiest, most effective
and safest product we’ve ever carried. Each dose protects dogs for up
to 3 months against fleas and 1 month against ticks, and protects cats
for 1 month against fleas and ticks. Frontline is waterproof, even after
repeated bathing, and safe enough for puppies and kittens.
Q: What if there are fleas in my house?
A:
When an animal becomes infested with fleas, the environment will provide
the perfect home for more. We do not always see the fleas in the carpet,
hardwood floors, or tile, but they are there and multiplying. By using a
topical flea control on the pets you will eliminate the fleas’ host and
food source. The final step is to treat the house with a guaranteed
effective product, such as Ecto-Kyl
IGR Area Treatment. There are specific details that cannot be overlooked when
treating your house, so stop by or call and find out from a technician
or doctor.
Q: My pets are constantly scratching, what
might be wrong?
A:
Just like us, animals can be subject to many skin disorders that are not
always easy to identify. From dry skin to parasites, from allergies to
mange, there are no quick and easy solutions, just temporary relief. The
best thing to do is to have your pet examined to help the doctor find
the exact cause and determine the best treatment at the lowest cost.
Q: There is a strong odor and dirty
material in my pet’s ears, what’s in there?
A:
Dogs and cats are subject to build-ups of wax, moisture, and dirt in the
ears that can lead to discomfort, infections and an odor. Initially, the
best thing is to have the pet examined to determine the cause and then
to follow-up with preventative measures and treatment at home. An exam
is necessary to find out if the pet has Ear Mites, which are microscopic parasites that can live
in the ears and become a major problem. Cleaning the ears at home is one
way to help alleviate the problems and may be necessary for dogs that
swim or cats that go outdoors. Most animals will tolerate having their
ears cleaned, but some may be especially difficult and need professional
attention. Also, some breeds with long, floppy ears or an excess of hair
may require more frequent attention because the structure of their ears
causes problems to occur more often.
Q: My cat always tries to vomit, but
nothing comes up even when she continues to cough, is something wrong?
A:
Most likely your cat is trying to cough up a hairball, which is lodged
in the throat. Hairballs form when cats lick themselves and the hair is
caught by the barbs on the tongue and is swallowed. It is very common
for cats to not be able to digest the hair or cough it up on their own
and they sometimes need help. There are several products that are given
orally that help the hair to be digested and passed normally. There is a
new food from Science Diet that helps with hairballs and has been very
effective for those of our clients who have already tried it. Call or
stop by for more details or to order the new food.
Q: My dog is making a strange coughing
noise, almost like a cat with hairballs, is he sick?
A:
Many dogs (and cats) are subject to
what is known as a Reverse Sneeze. There is nothing physically
wrong with the dog, nor is it a cough, but it can still cause alarm when
this happens. A Reverse Sneeze will most often occur when there is
something stressful happening in the dog’s life, such as a trip to the
doctors. Also, these episodes may occur when the dog becomes excited,
has taken a long walk, or has been subjected to some other extensive
physical activity. An occasional Reverse Sneeze is normal, but if you
continue to have concerns, the safest thing to do is have the dog
examined to rule out the possibility of a cough.
Q: The kennel requires a "Kennel
Cough" vaccine, what is it and why does my dog need it?
A:
Kennel Cough is an upper respiratory infection that is most commonly
seen in animals that have been placed in a kenneling facility or other
similar situations where there are many dogs together.
Unfortunately, this is not a rare infection because there are so many
dogs that are kenneled or in obedience classes who may not have been
vaccinated. Kennel Cough is not usually life threatening, but can be a
problem because it tends to last a little while. It can be treated
relatively easily and is not a major concern for dogs that are not
kenneled or around foreign dogs. We carry the
Bordetella vaccine, which will protect
your dog from Kennel Cough.
Q: Sometimes my dog scoots his rear-end on
the carpet, what is he doing?
A:
All dogs (and
cats) have what are known as anal glands, which are two small
fluid-filled sacs located at the base of the rectum. Usually when a pet
has a bowel movement most of the fluid is drained from the sacs and the
dog doesn’t feel anything. Occasionally however, the sacs retain their
fluid and cause irritation. When this happens, you may notice a fishy
odor on pet’s anal sacs are full, please see your veterinarian to
have them expressed. Some groomers may
provide this service, but it is a delicate procedure that only your vet
should take care of.
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