The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

The Importance of Microchipping Your Pet

by Heather Goodlett

Being a receptionist, I receive many phone calls a week from frantic clients that have lost their pets. The pets that are lucky enough to be found have usually been taken to a local shelter or Humane Society.

When a new animal comes to our clinic, one of the first things we do is to scan for a microchip.  When scanned, if the animal has a chip, a number will come up which is specific to your pet. This chip allows many pets to be reunited with their owners.

The procedure is a small injection in the back of the neck, best performed during the initial vet visit. Information such as address or phone numbers can be changed when needed through the company. 

Microchipping is a small price to pay for something as rewarding as finding your beloved pet. For more information such as pricing, or to schedule an appointment, contact CKVC today!

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal Allergies

Written by Dr. Scott Weakley

It’s that time of year again, the peak time for seasonal allergies in dogs.  From the first part of August until about 2 weeks after a killing frost in October, we will see lots of dogs suffering from allergies.  The culprits are plants such as ragweed and crabgrass that produce pollens that your dog can be allergic to.  Fleas can make the allergy season much worse.
Dogs that have allergies to airborne allergens will usually have itchy ears, lick or chew their feet, and rub their faces on the carpet or with their paws.  Inhalant allergy, also known as atopy, can make your dog miserable and can lead to secondary bacterial or fungal infections of the skin and ears.
Treatments to help your dog include frequent bathing in gentle shampoos, fatty acid supplements, antihistamine, and frequently corticosteroids.  Flea prevention or treatment is also important.  Any secondary infections have to be treated also.
  Call us for an appointment to help your dog if he or she is experiencing symptoms of allergies.

The Importance of Year Round Heartworm and Flea Prevention in the Dog

The importance of year round heartworm and flea prevention in the dog.

Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition caused by the presence of parasitic worms in the arteries of the lungs and heart of dogs.  These worms or Microfilaria are passed from one infected dog to another by Mosquitos.  The most common clinical signs are cough and exercise intolerance.  This disease will infect 100% of the dogs exposed to it that are not on a monthly preventative.  But some may ask "if its transmitted through Mosquitos can monthly prevention be skipped during the winter months when Mosquitos are not active?" The answer in my option is no.  Mosquitos have very short life cycles that are dependent on weather conditions.  They are less active in temperatures below 50 degrees but mosquito eggs do not die in cold weather.  The eggs simply hibernate and when the weather conditions are ideal they will hatch no matter the time of year.  We have all experienced Kentucky's fickle winters, Freezing one day, balmy the next.  Mosquitos can complete their life cycle in a little as 4 days (AMCA) and be out feeding off your canine companion.  So, it is a huge risk to only use heartworm prevention in the warmer months in this area of the country.  No one wants to lose their best friend to a disease that is one of the easiest to prevent.  Heartworm prevention comes in the form of once monthly (most times chewable) tablets that can be purchased from your veterinarian.  Please be aware that the vet needs to have proof of a recent negative heartworm test in order to dispense prevention. There is the risk of complications with preventatives if the dog is heartworm positive.  Today heartworm prevention has also evolved to having other benefits.  Heartworm prevention products also treat intestinal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms and in some cases whipworms.  Today heartworm prevention can have a third face to it with added flea prevention.  All in a once monthly pill!  Fleas, like Mosquitos are weather sensitive and can exist in the environment in this area of the country even durning the winter months if conditions are right.  Unlike Mosquitos, fleas will thrive inside during the winter so if you have battled fleas all summer and think a reprieve will come in the winter...it won't!  The safest, efficient and cost effective method to prevent heartworm disease, intestinal parasites and fleas is by prevention before a problem even exists.  1 pill a month is nothing compared to your dogs possible discomfort or death as a result of these parasites!

by: Erin Bergen, LVT

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/download/Incidence-Map-2010.pdf

Improper Eliminatin: Thinking inside the box to solve problems outside the box

By Kevin Fuller, DVM

Urinating outside of the litter box, or improper elimination is one of the leading causes for pet owners to relinquissh their cats to local shelters.  While this may be a frustrating problem.  Medical therapy is not always needed, but if there is ever blood in the urine, or straining to urinate, contact your local veterinarian.

One of the first steps

Canine Blood Donation Program

We have a canine blood donation program.  Dogs that we have selected have been blood typed.  These dogs are current on their vaccinations and previous to entering the program where given an exam, blood chemistries and a complete blood count were done and they tested negative for heartworm disease.  Blood donors can donate as often as every 6 weeks and generally give 400-450mls of blood.  The blood in stored in the refrigerator for up to 28 days.  When one of our patients needs a transfusion we are able to use the blood we have stored.  Blood transfusions may be given to patients who are having a major surgery, for anemia or decreased platelet count.

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)

  
                                                    By Tammy, LVT

All cats are at risk of Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), especially the young and unvaccinated cats.  The most common cause of URI is Feline Herpes Virus.  Cats that are stressed are more suseptable to catching the virus or having a reactivation of the virus.  This virus is very

Heartworm Disease Is Preventable

   

Heartworm Disease

            Heartworm disease (dirofilariasis) is a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs.  It is caused by a blood- borne parasite called Dirofilaria Immitis.

            Heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of infected dogs.  They can live up to 5 years, producing millions of offspring (microfilaria).  These microfilariae live