Here are a few highlights from our 2009 Newsletter . . .
Fleas . . . and ticks . . . and mites, oh my!
Cats can be affected by many external parasites. Fleas are a common nuisance for cats, but can also be a health threat to your pet. Some cats are allergic to fleas and will develop a skin condition when exposed to them, and fleas can also transmit disease and parasites (such as tapeworms) to your cat. Cats who roam outdoors are most likely to pick up fleas, but indoor cats are also at risk! Your cat can get fleas from visitors whose pets may have undetected fleas or even rodents, like mice, coming into your home. Because one flea can lay over 500 eggs per day, one flea can quickly become a flea infestation. At your cat’s annual exam he or she will be checked for fleas and also for the presence of “flea dirt” that will tell us your pet has had contact with fleas. Flea prevention is very important to keep your cat from contracting fleas. We recommend consulting your veterinarian regarding flea control because many over the counter flea products contain permethrins, which when ingested (by grooming) or applied in the incorrect dosage can cause illness (including tremors / seizures) in cats. It is very important to never apply a flea product designed for dogs to your cat. For safe and effective flea prevention we recommend using Frontline Plus, Advantage or Revolution depending on other parasite risks to your cat. If you already have a flea infestation, consistent flea preventative application (monthly) of all pets in the house and environmental control are very important as fleas can lay dormant in the environment for many months!
Ticks are another problem for local cats, while we do not recognize lyme disease as being a problem in cats they do cause skin irritation and rarely can spread diseases to cats, such as ehrlichia. To help avoid tick infestations on your cat, we recommend monthly use of Frontline Plus (see flea section for more information on topical flea / tick preventatives). If your cat does get ticks, you can safely remove them by applying gentle traction at the base of the ticks head until the tick releases. You can also use a “tick puller” available at our vet clinic and most pet stores.
Ear mites are fairly common in cats (rarely a cause of ear infection in dogs) and cause intense itching of the ears and a dark debris inside the ears. Cats typically get ear mites from contact with other infected cats or their enviromnment. They are very small and typically identified with an otoscope by your veterinarian. Because there are other causes of itchy ears (including allergies or ear infection) it is important to see your veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis. Topical prescription ear treatment or Revolution may be recommended to get rid of the mites. It is very important to treat all cats in the home to prevent re-infection.
Is your horse ready for spring?
When the horses are shedding and the temperatures are rising, time to get your horses’ spring shots! We recommend a wellness exam at the time of your horse’s spring vaccinations. This includes a weight and diet assessment, checking your horses teeth, listening to their heart and checking his or her eyes. It is a great way to make sure your horse is in good health and ready to get back to work! Your horse’s spring visit often includes dental floating if the veterinarian determines it is needed at this time and in the case of a gelding – sheath cleaning. We also recommend running a fecal sample on your horse prior to spring deworming to help you choose the most effective deworming program for your horse. So whether you have a herd or just one horse, make sure they get their spring tune up!
For more information on specific vaccinations, deworming protocols or equine dental care please browse the equine section of our website!
Money saving tips . . .
Preventing diease. You know the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Well it can be true. You can save money by keeping your pet up to date on his / her flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, as well as vaccinations. Treating diseases like lyme, heartworm and flea allergy dermatitis can be costly! For horses this holds true as well, keeping them up to date on tetanus and rabies vaccinations may save you an emergency visit in the case of a minor wound.
Dental home care. Keeping up with regular dental home care can improve your pet’s health, but will likely also help decrease the amount of dental work your pet will need at the clinic.
Spay / neuter. Having your pet spayed can help avoid costly emergency surgeries such as pyometra (uterine infection) or c-section. It is also an easier and less costly surgery if you have this done while your pet is young, and not in heat or pregnant.
Don’t delay. Bringing your pet in earlier in the course of an illness helps us to provide treatment faster and has the potential to decrease the overall cost of care. Getting your pet in during regular hours will also help avoid a costly emergency visit.
Follow up! Be sure to follow all treatment advice and finish any medications prescribed to your pet. Re-checking a skin or ear infection and making sure it has resolved helps us have a better chance of success in treating your pet and is often cheaper than starting treatment over in a few months when it comes back.
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