Your pet’s behaviors may be related to a hidden illness, and you may not even realize it.

Nipping. Scratching. Litter box issues. Leash pulling. Meowing at night. Urinating on the floor. Chewing shoes. Are these behaviors just part of being a “normal” dog or cat?

Some common behavioral issues are due to underlying medical problems and illnesses that are tough for even the most observant owner to recognize.

Your dog urinates on your floor. He may just be excited, but he could have a urinary tract infection. Your cat stops jumping up on your lap. Not because she’s being unfriendly, but because she has arthritis and jumping is too painful.

Don't leave these issues unchecked. Behaviors may worsen, and illnesses progress, putting your pet’s health at risk. Your pet’s quality of life may be compromised.

We can help. If your dog is petrified of fireworks, we can discuss techniques that may give him relief. If your older cat is suddenly drinking more water, a physical exam could reveal an underlying illness. We’ll run the right tests and prescribe medication as needed.
 

We'll discuss your pet’s behavior. Some behavioral issues are related to medical problems, but many can simply be resolved with new training strategies. Either way, we can help correct those behaviors and give your pet a new "leash" on life.

So, come on in for your pet’s annual exam today. We’ll check to make sure all of your pet’s behaviors are appropriate and signs of good health. We are committed to your pet’s well-being, all the way. 

 

Start summer off right!

It’s summer! Time for BBQs, long hikes, and refreshing water play. You and your pet enjoy this time of year. It’s filled with activity, fun, and food.

 

 There are a few things we have to talk about, though. First, is your pet eating the right food for her lifestyle? Meeting your pet’s nutritional needs is vital to her health and happiness. So, before you take your big hike with Fido or start your movie marathon on the couch with Fluffy, bring your furry friend in for her annual exam.

Second, if your pet is just 10% over her ideal body weight (that's just 1 pound for a 10 pound cat), she is at risk of developing serious medical conditions. Who wants that for their buddy? "Not I!" you say. So come in for a checkup and a pit stop at the scale. 

Third, most “people food" is not good for pets, especially food from the grill. For example, feeding your pet chicken bones can cause tooth fractures and tear up her digestive tract.

So come on in today; we’ll examine her thoroughly from nose to tail. And we’ll talk about what she's eating and if we have to make any changes.

Who loves your pet besides you? We do! Have your pet examined today so we can keep her healthy and happy this summer!

Bones, Muscles, and Joints

  Keep your pet moving and grooving this spring!

Musculoskeletal diseases (conditions that involve bones, muscles, and joints) affect pets of all ages. They can have aches and pains like we do. But sometimes these diseases are hard to spot. Think about your furry friend for a moment...

Has he stopped jumping on you when you come in the door?

Has he stopped perching on the window sill?

Is he simply acting “old”?

These changes in activity may be due to weather, age, or good training. However, to guarantee your pet is at his best, we have to rule out any hidden musculoskeletal problems. Infections, hormonal imbalances, poor nutrition, blood disorders, and arthritis can all affect your pet's activity—the way he plays, moves, eats, and cuddles.

The good news is that we have ways to prevent, cure, or manage these conditions, so your pet can continue to have a good quality of life. We are committed to the well-being of your pet for his lifetime. The best way to ensure his health is to come on in for his yearly checkup today. Together, we’ll keep your pet’s bones, muscles, and joints (and all the rest of him!) in good working order.

Is your pet at risk for Fleas, Ticks, or Worms?

 Yes! And they ALL can be tough to spot!

Is your dog very tired? Is your cat eating less than usual? These seemingly minor changes may mean she has a flea allergy, an internal parasite infection, or a tick-related disease.

Let’s talk about fleas first. The majority of pets don’t have fleas, but many have been bitten because fleas are everywhere. Yes, fleas live outdoors but they can live indoors too--even in really clean homes--year-round in any climate. Fleas will gladly hitch a ride on your pet into your house. And all it takes is one flea bite (specifically the fleas saliva), to set off a full blown skin allergy. Pets may scratch their sides, necks, or even lick their paws until they’re red and painful. What pet wants to move around or eat when feeling this miserable?

 

 Internal parasites (such as worms) can infect your pet in a number of ways. Sometimes, it’s hard to know if she has them. But left untreated, worms can be dangerous to her internal organs. They can even cause your pet to lose blood.
 

 Ticks are tricky. Even if you check your pet for ticks they can be tough to find because they’re small, and hide well in dark fur. But it’s crucial to find ticks and remove them quickly. Why? Some ticks carry bacteria that cause disease (such as Lyme disease, but there are many others). And all it takes is one undetected tick bite for your pet to become infected. She can become sick and develop kidney problems. At times, these diseases can be fatal.

Is there any good news?
Yes!

 

 We’re experts when it comes to flea allergies, ticks, and internal parasites. Even if your pet is on a regular monthly preventative, it is still important for us to make sure she is healthy.

So, come on in for your pet’s annual checkup today. We’ll examine her from nose to tail. We will also confirm the prevention you’re using is right for your pet!

It’s spring! Time to check for heartworm disease.

It’s March, and spring is here! Worms in your garden…and worms in your dog? Hold on, let me explain.

The worms you find in your garden dirt are not the same worms that cause heartworm disease in dogs. Mosquitoes carry heartworm larvae. And all it takes is one mosquito to bite your pet for him to become infected.

Here’s the good news about heartworm disease. It’s an illness that is easy and affordable to prevent. The bad news is, if you don’t invest in prevention, your dog is at a high risk of getting sick. Heartworm disease is dangerous to your dog and some signs of the illness are tough to spot. He may be acting fine, but he may have so many heartworms inside his body that it becomes life threatening.

You may be thinking, “my dog stays indoors, so he doesn't need heartworm prevention.” But, heartworms are carried by mosquitoes, which get into everyone’s homes. And one mosquito bite is all that’s needed to spread the disease to your furry friend.

Bring your dog in today for his yearly checkup. We’ll do a thorough exam, including a simple heartworm test, to make sure he is in optimum health. And we’ll talk about the best way to prevent heartworm disease, so your dog stays healthy, happy, and safe.

Mild Winter + Southern Climate + Your Pet + FLEAS

Welcome to 2016! A new year has begun and warm weather barely took a holiday during the winter. This means that the flea population which has been languishing in high numbers is poised to explode with fury as the year rolls into summer. The question is: are you going to wait until you notice a problem, or will you take steps now to fight the surge?  

Consider the Facts

Adult fleas land on the host and feed. Each flea can lay 40-50 eggs every day. The eggs roll off and hatch into larvae in 3-5 days. If the environment is warm and humid, more larvae survive and the problem is worse. If it's cool and dry, the cycle slows and the problem persists longer. Then come the pupae (cocoons) and the newly hatched fleas. At the point you become aware of fleas, the cycle has been churning for up to two months, and your environment is full of hatching and developing fleas. You repeatedly apply insecticides to your pet, even for 2-3 months, and the fleas keep coming. This is because the environment continues to harbor all of the life stages, collectively known as the flea biomass. In order to truly address flea control, the biomass must also be considered and a multi-pronged approach utilized.

But first, a few more ways that fleas get into your house and yard

Pets and Hitchhikers: Fleas can get into your house on socks and other clothing and from your pet, visiting pets, and their bedding. The home is where the flea becomes King! Most of the flea life stages exist in your pet's favorite places (beds, couches, carpet, baseboards, etc.)
Pets, wildlife, and feral cats can be a source of fleas outdoors. Flea larvae love cool, shady areas (e.g., under porches) and mulched areas.
So, in most cases, it is important to treat your house and yard as well as your pet. Diligent house cleaning and vacuuming and indoor/outdoor sprays complete the flea eradication picture along with treatment of all pets.

Comparison of Flea Control Products for the Pet

The most important factors when choosing a flea eradication product are safety and residual killing speed. After dosing, residual killing power tends to decline over time. Remember that it takes only 24-48 hours for a flea to lay eggs. Since larvae will continue to emerge over the next 1-2 months, the product needs to eliminate the biomass within 12-24 hours (the reproductive breaking point) in order to prevent re-infestation.

             

Monthly Topicals: These vary in their ability to achieve and maintain a good killing speed over time. Therefore, some topicals may prove ineffective and/or may need to be repeated more frequently than every 30 days.

            

Monthly Tablets/Chews: These tend to be superior to topicals in terms of the speed and completeness of flea kill. Examples are Comfortis, Nexgard, and Bravecto. There is some evidence that the monthly products may run out of killing effectiveness before 30 days. Bravecto, the newest oral product, is unique in that it has quick killing capability, lasts 12 weeks, and is thus the most capable in eradicating the flea biomass.

You don't have to sing this song!

Take Home Message: EVEN IF YOU DO EVERYTHING RIGHT, IT CAN STILL TAKE UP TO 3 OR 4 MONTHS TO ELIMINATE YOUR FLEA POPULATION (BIOMASS) AND YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE NEW FLEAS HATCHING UP UNTIL THEN.

It takes patience, diligence, and excellent flea control products to win the war on fleas. If your flea control has not been consistent year round, then you may have some catching up to do. The sooner you start, the better.

You CAN make the summer of 2016 Flea Control manageable!

Wellness Testing for Senior Pets

Important Facts about Senior Testing

As pets age, their body systems tend to gradually deteriorate and may lose their ability to function properly. We recommend senior testing to help us detect and treat disease early, so that we can help maintain health and prevent illness during your pet's senior years. Early detection of disease often gives us more effective and less costly treatment options. And senior testing helps establish normal baseline values for your pet, creating a point of comparison for the future.

 
Is your pet a senior?
  
If your pet is 8 years of age or older we consider him or her to be a senior. Your pet may seem healthy well into its senior years. However, many problems common to older pets may not present with symptoms until your pet becomes seriously ill. Senior testing can help us identify problems early enough to institute preventative and proactive healthcare measures.

Which pets should have senior testing?

We recommend senior testing for all geriatric pets, as well as any pets who are exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms: weight loss or gain, increased thirst or urination, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, poor hair coat, coughing, seizures, unusual behavior, or overall decline in condition.


What is senior testing?

Your pet's complete senior testing program includes:

A physical exam is the most important part of a senior care program. Your veterinarian will assess all body systems and check for any abnormalities.

Blood chemistry tests measure levels of various substances in the blood to help diagnose diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney failure.

 
A complete blood count (CBC) provides a detailed look at the blood itself and helps detect anemia or infection. 

A thyroid screen helps diagnose thyroid disease, which is especially common in older dogs and cats.

A urinalysis gives information on kidney function and checks for urinary tract infections.

Radiographs (X-rays) of the chest and abdomen may be recommended.

All senior dogs and cats can benefit from an "early peek" inside to help detect potential trouble before it gets the upper hand and is more difficult and costly to treat.

Let us know if you have any questions about our recommendations, or contact us today to arrange a senior wellness screening for your pet.