Q: What if I begin to notice visible parasites for the first time on my pet?
A: The parasite preventatives have developed greatly over the past ten years. In the past there were questionable techniques that have since been replaced with safe and effective ingredients that eliminate the disease-carrying parasite with out harming your loved one.
Q: What should I do if I see worms in my pet’s stool/feces?
A: There are several types of intestinal parasites found commonly in the fecal material of dogs and cats. By isolating the eggs of these “worms” with a fecal examination, we can identify which parasite is present. Different medications are used to treat different species of parasite, so identification is key to successful treatment. Some intestinal parasites can infect people, causing serious medical conditions, so always contact us if you suspect worms in your pet. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.petsandparasites.org) is an excellent resource for in depth information regarding parasites and human infection risk.
Q: How important is nutrition for my pet?
A: Similar to human food intake, a diet that is low in fat and high in protein is essential to the life of your pet. Our clinic offers the newest and most efficient food for you pet available today.
Q: When should new puppies and kittens come in for their first visit?
A: Puppies should have their initial examination around 6-8 weeks and kittens around 9 weeks of age if there are no signs of any problems or concerns. Multiple immunizations at different visits will be required to get your new pet’s immune system ready for exposure to the environment outside your home. Puppies and kittens are highly susceptible to viruses, infections, and/or parasites and proper early care and screening help to give your new baby the best start in life.
Q: Why is it important that my pet has an examination or blood tests done yearly?
A: Each year your pet can age as much as a human does in seven years! This means that if your pet has not been to the veterinarian in the past year, it is the equivalent of a human not having a check up in seven years. It is very important to schedule yearly exams for your pet, especially after they reach the age of five.
Q: What should I know about spaying or neutering my pet?
A: Dr. Penton advises that all pet dogs and cats be spayed or neutered preferably around 4-6 months of age. There are numerous and well-documented health benefits gained by having your dog spayed or neutered. The “spay” procedure is a total hysterectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus). The neuter procedure for male patients is the surgical removal of the testis (site of sperm production). We take pride in going the extra mile to enhance safety and minimize pain by including state of the art screening practices, patient monitoring, and pain control techniques for EVERY surgery patient. Please contact us for more detailed information about these very important surgical procedures for your pet.