Preventative Care

Flea control

A flea problem on your pet means a flea problem in your home.  Understanding the flea life cycle and methods for its control can be a daunting task.  We will gladly assist you in this process.  We can provide you with safe, effective flea prevention and if necessary, flea treatment.

Fleas can cause problems for pets ranging from minor to life-threatening.  Not only can these parasites cause severe itching, irritation and allergies, but they can also transmit tapeworms and diseases.  Fleas can infest dogs, cats, ferrets, mice and rats.  And fleas don't just stay on pets; they can bite people, too.

You don't want fleas on your pet or in your home.  We can help keep them away.  Make an appointment today to start your pet on a preventative today!

Heartworm Prevention

When they bite, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm parasites.  And those heartworms can wreak havoc on your cat or dog.  These parasites can severely and sometimes fatally damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.  Some pets may not show any signs of infection; in those that do, symptoms can vary widely.

In dogs, signs of heartworm disease can range from coughing, fatigue and weight loss to difficulty breathing and a swollen abdomen (caused by fluid accumulation from heart failure).  Canine heartworm infection can also lead to a life-threatening complication called "caval syndrome" ( a form of liver failure) which needs prompt surgical intervention.

Although often thought to not be susceptible to heartworm infection, cats can indeed get heartworms.  Cats can suffer from a syndrome referred to as heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD);  the symptoms can be subtle and may mimic those of asthma or allergic bronchitis.  Signs of respiratory distress, such as rapid or difficult breathing, wheezing, and panting, are common.  Other symptoms include coughing. vomiting (typically unrelated to eating), and loss of appetite or weight.  Heartworm infection is more difficult to diagnose in cats than it is in dogs.

Treatment for heartworm infection is far more expensive than prevention.

Fortunately, there's an easy way to keep your dog or cat safe; by administering monthly heartworm preventatives.  Most heartworm medications protect your pet against other parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and ear mites.  We can recommend the best regimen of prevention for your pet for the whole year.

Tick Prevention

Ticks are becoming more and more prevalent in North America, and they're now being found in areas where people and pets didn't previously encounter ticks. These parasites aren't just a nuisance, they can cause serious- and sometimes deadly- diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis.  Contact us immediately if your pet starts coughing or has joint pain, trouble breathing, fever, weakness, or loss of appetite, energy or coordination.

 The best method for keeping ticks off your pet is by keeping your dog or cat on a tick preventative year round.  Even indoor-only pets are at risk because ticks can hitch a ride on your clothing or shoes. Tick preventatives are safe and highly effective at controlling ticks and the diseases they carry.  Call us today to get your pet protected!

Don't panic if you find a tick on your dog or cat, even if your pet is on a preventative.  Some preventatives kill ticks after they've come in contact with your pet.  Ticks can hide easily under your pets fur, so as an added measure of protection, we recommend checking your pet for ticks every time your pet comes in from outside.  Don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have.