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Nobody likes an uninvited guest. If you are like most pet owners, you
like to spend time playing with your pets both indoors and out. Don’t leave
them at risk for an unwelcome visit from pesky parasites like fleas and
ticks. These puny pests are not just annoying, they can cause real health
problems for your pets. Luckily, you don't have to cancel your play plans.
With some simple steps, you can protect your furry friends from these
annoying parasites and help them stay safe and cool all summer. Here are
some ways to do it:
BE PREPARED – The length and severity of flea
and tick season vary across the country. Fleas thrive in temperatures
between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity levels at approximately
80%. It has been shown, however, that they can survive indoors during the
winter even in cold climates. For this reason, many veterinarians recommend
year-round preventive measures to protect pets. So, at Northside Animal
Hospital you can consult with one of our Doctors or one of our other staff
members to find out which flea and/or tick product will meet your pet’s
individual needs. The products we can provide here at our hospital are safer
and more effective than the products that are available in stores. Plus they
are extremely convenient to use even for the busiest owner. But, make sure
that you read and carefully follow your veterinarian’s instructions for how
and when to use the product. This is the best way to guarantee that it will
effectively protect your pet.
DO NOT USE A PRODUCT MADE FOR DOGS ON CATS –
If this happens, contact Northside Animal Hospital immediately! Some flea
preventives that are formulated for dogs contain an ingredient that is toxic
to cats. Products labeled for dogs can cause severe reactions in cats that
will require immediate veterinary care. The product label will clearly
indicate which species it has been approved for. Be sure to use products
only as intended.
DO REGULAR FLEA & TICK CHECKS – If you and
your pet have been in an area that might have ticks, do a tick check as soon
as possible once you are indoors. The best way to prevent the transmission
of disease is early tick removal. A tick has to bite your pet and be
attached for approximately 24 hours in order to transmit a disease. If you
live in an area that has a heavy tick population or you frequently take your
pet to a “high risk” area, you should regularly apply a product that is
effective against ticks. When checking your pet for ticks, make sure to
check his ears, armpits and stomach. Also, regular grooming is a great way
to not only check your pet for parasites, but to also spend quality time
with your pet. It helps you keep an eye out for any external parasites that
may be hiding under your pet’s haircoat. Also, keeping a well-maintained
house will help reduce the risk of parasite infestation. Mow your lawn
regularly so that you don’t create a high grass area for ticks. Fleas tend
to like warm, moist, shady areas with organic debris. Raking leaves, brush,
and clippings from your yard will give fleas fewer places to hide and breed.
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN – If you
know that your pet has had a recent tick bite, it is always a good idea to
pass this information on to your veterinarian. Not every tick bite transmits
a disease to your pet, but you do want to monitor your pet’s behavior for
any signs of lethargy, soreness, or a change in appetite. One of the
important things we do during your pet’s routine checkups is to examine him
for any signs of parasite problems to determine if he needs a preventive
product, and/or to help ensure that the product you are already using is
working effectively. You should, however, contact our office if you have any
questions or concerns about that product or about parasites. |
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WELLNESS PREVENTION – THE KEY TO A
HEALTHY PET
Understanding Pet
Wellness – If you are like most pet owners, you
consider your pet’s health to be just as important as your own. You also
know that taking good care of these special members of your family
requires more than just an annual examination and vaccines. Because pets
age faster than humans do, potential illnesses, many the same ones that
afflict people (like heart disease and kidney disease), can sneak up on
our pets before we’re ready to expect them. The average dog or cat reaches
“middle age” at approximately 4 years old and is considered “geriatric” by
age 7. And, unlike the rest of our family, our pets cannot tell us about
the symptoms they’re experiencing that may be the indications of oncoming
illness. We often have to look past the surface to fully understand our
pet’s health. Taking good care of our pets is as much about preventing
illness as it is about treating it. Imagine having only been to the doctor
four times by the time you’re 40 years old, and you’ll begin to understand
the importance of pet wellness.
What is a Wellness
Exam? – You are one of the most important sources of information
regarding your pet’s health. Because you’re with your pet every day, you
are the first to notice when his routine changes. Your visit to our
hospital for a wellness exam will first include a consultation, during
which you can report anything new or unusual. Next, we’ll conduct a
physical exam, where we’ll check your pet’s major systems including heart,
lungs, skin and teeth for potential problems. We’ll discuss your options
for preventive care, which can include parasite control, routine dental
cleanings and nutrition. Finally, we’ll screen for hidden issues with a
wellness profile, tests of your pet’s blood, stool and urine that will let
us know if there are any problems that have yet to show symptoms.
Why Wellness Screening Works – A
wellness exam when your pet is young gives us a health baseline to measure
any changes against for the rest of his life. By age two, most pets have
already reached adulthood. Pets, on average, age up to seven times faster
than humans do. At age four, many are entering middle age. And by age
seven, many pets, particularly larger breed dogs are entering their senior
years. This is why we recommend a wellness exam every six months for
senior pets. Because pets age so rapidly, major health changes can occur
in as little as three months. The risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity,
arthritis, heart disease and other serious conditions all increase with
age. But many are easily treatable or manageable if they are caught early
enough. And because today’s pets are living longer than ever, chances are
many can experience a potentially serious illness during their lifetime.
Twice-a-year wellness exams can help us to diagnose, treat or even prevent
problems before they become life threatening. They’re also a great
opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns with us. These simple
preventive measures can considerably increase your pet’s quality of life,
and the amount of time you get to spend together.
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Other Seasonal Advice:
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Fall |
Winter |
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