Mosquitoes don’t discriminate.  They bite you, they bite your cat.  But when they sink their teeth into your feline friend, they might cause more than an itch.  Mosquitoes can transmit heartworm larvae to cats.  If these microscopic larvae settle in cats’ lungs, they can cause big health problems.  There’s no cure for feline heartworm disease, but it is 100 percent preventable.  Read below to learn more, then talk with our veterinarian about which prevention method is best for keeping your cat and its ticker heartworm-free.

Do cats really get heartworms?

Heartworms aren’t just a dog problem.  A Texas study conducted in the late 1990′s found that 26 percent of cats had contracted heartworms at some point in their lives.  And remember, those pesky mosquitoes will bite any animal regardless of whether its tail wags or flicks.

Just how do mosquitoes transmit heartworms to cats?

Mosquitoes are carriers of heartworm larvae.  When a mosquito bites a cat, the larvae enter the cat’s system through the bite wound.  When these larvae develop into adult heartworms, they eventually die and cause severe heart inflammation that can be fatal.  Even though the presence of adult heartworms is potentially deadly, the little larvae can be even more problematic.  Most larvae don’t make it to adulthood in cats, which means they die in the cat’s lungs.  The irritation leads to heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD).  Studies show that 50 percent of cats infected with heartworm larvae have significant disease in the arteries that supply blood to their lungs.  To learn more about HARD, see “Heartworms Can’t Hide,” below.

My cat doesn’t go outside, so I don’t need to worry, right?

Wrong.  Indoor cats are at lower risk for heartworm disease than outdoor cats, but there’s no guarantee a mosquito won’t buzz into your house through an open door or window – and it only takes one bite to do the damage.  A North Carolina study reported that 28 percent of cats diagnosed with heartworm disease were inside-only cats, so prevention products are smart to use in indoor cats as well as free-roamers.

Mosquitoes aren’t common where I live.  Does my cat need prevention?

Yes.  Cases of feline heartworm disease have been reported in all 50 states.  The occurrence of heartworm disease is markedly lower in some states, but mosquitoes are resilient little fellas and they’re showing up in more and more places.  And don’t forget that the game changes when you travel.  Anytime you pack your cat’s bags, especially if you’re heading to lake or coastal regions, you need to arm him with heartworm prevention.

OK, so my cat needs heartworm prevention.  What does it involve?

The good news is that heartworm prevention products are some of the easiest to use, least expensive, and most effective items on the market.  Your veterinarian knows all about these products and will help you decide which one is right for you and your cat.

Heartworms can’t hide.

Heartworm larvae are virtually invisible, but if your cat is infected with them, they’ll show themselves.  Most cats with early-stage disease experience heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) signs.  Rather than affecting the heart, the larvae affect the lungs and cause breathing problems often mistaken for asthma or allergic bronchitis.  If your cat exhibits any signs of HARD, which are listed below, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

- Coughing
- Panting
- Open-mouthed breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Gagging
- Appetite loss
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Fainting
- Lethargy

There are many toxic items that your pet can get into at home. Toxic substances can be found in your cabinets, back yard, or even at your dinner table. Here are a few tips to help keep your pet safe and avoid an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

People Food:

Foods like raisins, grapes, avocado, onions, garlic and citrus fruit can be extremely dangerous to your pet. Chocolate is one of the worst things for pets to get into. Chocolate toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even become serious enough to cause seizures.

Human Medication:

It can be as simple as dropping a pill on the floor or your pet snagging a pill vials off of a nightstand or table. Keep all human medications away from pets where they cannot reach them.

Heavy Metal:

I’m not talking about rock music here. Metal such as lead, zinc and mercury can poison your pet. Watch for lead which can be found in linoleum and paint chips.

Fertilizer:

Outdoor cats and dogs that ingest fertilizer can become very sick. It is important to contact us if your pet has gotten into any fertilizer or law care chemicals.

Insecticides:

Pets can be at risk if you guard your home against bugs and other pests. Ask a licensed pest control company what pet safe options they have. Also beware of flea and tick prevention for your pet. Applying the wrong treatment can be dangerous. Ask us for more information on the proper topical treatments.

Rat and Mouse poison:

Bait used to trap rodents contains ingredients that are toxic to pets. Pets are attracted to these toxins and they can be life-threatening. Always make sure your pet cannot access these harmful poisons.

Chemicals:

Your pet cannot tell when a substance can be deadly. Paint thinner, antifreeze, and pool cleaner, bleaches, detergents and disinfectants are a danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties, chemical burns and even death.

Plants:

Household plants can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats. If a cat ingests even a small amount of lily it can be deadly. Visit ASPCA’s website at the link below to learn more about what plants are and are not harmful to your pet.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

Another helpful number to call if your pet has gotten into something toxic:

Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Approximately 4 million animals (that’s over 450 animals an hour) are humanely euthanized at animal shelters every year. These animals are not always strays that are born on the streets or pets that are sick, often they are the puppies and kittens of family pets.

Unfortunately these animals have to be euthanized because there are more dogs and cats entering shelters than there are people willing to provide loving homes for them. Even if you do find homes for your pet’s puppies or kittens, that means there are fewer homes available to take in other pets from shelters. Spaying or neutering is the only permanent method of birth control for dogs and cats.

Benefits for you and your pet:

Female pets that have been spayed do not go into heat. You won’t have the mess that comes with the female reproductive cycle or the boisterous, noisy male suitors. Spaying and neutering also reduces the risk of certain health problems, offering you more years with your beloved dog or cat.

Safe and effective:

Our licensed veterinarian will perform the spay or neuter operation while your pet is under anesthesia. We offer blood work before your pet’s surgery to ensure their body is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and monitor your pet the whole time they are at our hospital and throughout their surgery.

Our veterinary staff can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you. If you have a new puppy or kitten, don’t wait! Pets can become parents sooner than you think. We recommend spaying or neutering your pet as young as four months of age!

Financial assistance may be available

Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when you consider the benefits. It’s a small price to pay to make sure your pet’s offspring aren’t euthanized. For pets living in homes with limited income, reduced cost procedures may be available. Our Humane Society works hard to offer coupons that can help make spay and neuter services more affordable. Call Mohave County Animal Control to inquire about spay and neuter coupons (928)-753-2727.

Millions of pet deaths each year are a tragedy—but it can be solved. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution. Contact us today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.

As pets age their needs change. When their faces start to gray and their steps start to slow, there are ways to ensure your pet’s senior years are comfortable and healthy.

Supplements:
At Stockton Hill Animal Hospital we carry Resources™ products. These all natural supplements help animals of all ages to feel their best the natural way. One product we carry called Canine Join Support Plus was developed specifically to nutritionally support dogs suffering from a variety of joint problems. We also carry a Resources™ product called Feline Pain Plus. This can help senior cats who have developed pain in their joints as well.

Senior Blood Work:
It is important to perform annual screening tests on all pets to ensure that there are no undetected medical conditions that may endanger their health. Senior pets are at a higher risk then younger pets for abnormalities in their organs or blood. We offer discounted senior blood work packages that will test your pet for any of these abnormalities. If we find any abnormalities in your pet’s blood work we can start a treatment plan to correct them and make your pet feel better.

Senior Pet Food:
A quality pet food is critical in keeping your pet healthy and active in their senior years. Help your older pets stay healthy on the inside and looking great on the outside with Science Diet® senior food. It has everything a senior pet needs to stay fit, strong and full of vitality. Plus, Hill’s super antioxidant blend promotes overall health and natural immunity, too, so your pet remains healthy throughout their senior years.

Vitamins:
Vitamin Supplements can be a great way to ensure your older pet is receiving the appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals. Resources™ has an antioxidant formula for both dogs and cats that is full of antioxidants. This will help get rid of free radicals which can initiate many diseases. We also carry Daily Health Vitamins and Minerals Plus™ for dogs which has maximized nutrition for your pet.

Senior Dental Care:
Dental disease is very common in older dogs and cats. This painful disease can be easily avoided by setting up a regular brushing routine and professional dental cleaning. We carry many other products that will help keep your pet’s teeth clean after their dental is done. We offer FREE dental exams at Stockton Hill Animal Hospital to check your pet’s teeth and gums. We are also having a 10% off dental special in the month of December 2008. Call today to set up an appointment with our Veterinarian.

While this is not a complete list of products to help your senior pet, it gives you some good ideas to help make your senior pet more comfortable. With care and attention, your senior pet will continue to live a full and fruitful life as a member of your family.

Do you have a dog that hides when the thunder rolls? Does your cat cat run as soon as lightning flashes across the sky? We can help calm those troubled nerves as the storm rages on outside.

We carry a product that is an all natural dietary supplement which can help calm your dog or cat when stressed due to any condition. Resources Anxiety & Stress naturally decreases your pet’s anxiety level using the proper blend of natural ingredients.

Our doctor can prescribe tranquilizers should the need arise but the pet must not have a history of seizures.

July can be a noisy time of the month for our furry friends but that does not mean it has to be a time of stress and worry.

Vaccines must be current and administered by a veterinarian at the time of your pet’s stay. Should your pet be lacking any necessary vaccines, we would be more than happy to get bring them up to date. Vaccines needed for boarding dogs are the following: DHLPP, CORONA, BORDATELLA, and RABIES. Vaccines needed for boarding cats are the following: FDVR, FELV, and RABIES. We also board birds and small animals which no vaccines are necessary for these critters.

Should you take your pet with you during your travels, you may want to consider the AVID chip. This small microchip is inserted under your pet’s skin and your personal information is linked to this chip should your pet be scanned using a specialized scanner. You must first register your pet with AVID for a small fee before any of your personal information is linked to your pet’s AVID chip. Should your pet get lost during your travels, AVID is nationwide and lost pets have chances of reuniting with their families quicker than that of wearing a tag alone. Stockton Hill Animal Hospital offers AVID microchip placement should you wish to have this service performed for your pet.

We hope that your time away will be pleasant knowing that your pet will be lodging with us at Stockton Hill Animal Hospital.

Summer is coming! The weather is warming up and it’™s time to get your dogs out of the house for some much needed exercise. Did you know that obesity affects more than 50 percent of America’s pet population? If your pooch is overweight, he or she can develop all kinds of health problems, such as painful arthritis, heart disease, breathing difficulty, diabetes and even bladder cancer. For your dog, the excess weight and the resulting health problems can mean less play time and depression.

Here are some easily identifiable causes of weight gain in dogs:

• Overfeeding – Dogs with unlimited access to food understandably eat more than they need
• Overeating – Many commercial foods are loaded with salt and fat. This improves taste, which means your dog will want to gorge
• Feeding habits – Feeding table scraps and “people food” can lead to obesity
• Lack of exercise – Too much food and too little exercise produces a typical result: Obesity
• Age – Older, less active dogs are prone to weight gain

Food plays a very important role in treating an overweight dog. Along with exercise, a low-fat and low-calorie food is essential in helping your dog lose weight and stay fit. Fiber is also a key ingredient since it helps your dog eat less while keeping her full. Once your dog has been overweight, she may be prone to weight gain and should have an ongoing weight-management plan based on good nutrition, exercise and regular check-ups and weigh-ins.

Our staff understands how difficult getting your pet’™s weight under control can be. We are here to help. Call our office to schedule a free weight check up for your dog today. Our Veterinarian can prescribe a diet that will work to help shed those unwanted pounds. Mention this online article and receive 15% off a bag of Science Diet for weight control for the month of April!

Make sure that your dog has plenty of shade and clean, fresh water when outdoors. Consider taking your dog for walks and enjoy playtime in the early morning hours before daytime temperatures escalate.

Never leave your pet unattended for any length of time in a parked car. It only takes a few minutes for a pet to succumb to excessive heat which in many cases can prove fatal even when windows are partially rolled down.

Watch your pets around water. It doesn’t take long for a pet to accidently drown in a pool or lake.

Insects and snakes of all sorts are out on patrol as the weather warms. Watch your pet for any signs of stings or bites. Common areas to keep an eye on would be the paws, nose, and face manifested by swelling, redness, itchiness, and/or pain. Call Stockton Hill Animal Hospital should you believe your pet has been bit or stung.

Consider testing your dog for Heartworm disease and start them on Heartworm prevention due to mosquito populations increasing because of warm weather.

Following these simple rules will ensure your pet gets the most out of summer and the wonderful outside activities this season brings.

Each year thousands of dogs contract Lyme disease, Heartworm disease, and Ehrlichia.  Ticks and mosquitoes can be present anywhere, even in your own back yard. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and is a serious and potentially fatal threat to dogs. Lyme disease is caused by ticks and signs are difficult to detect and may not appear until several months after infection. Canine Ehrlichia is also caused by ticks and like Lyme disease, warning signs may not be readily apparent.

Despite the availability of simple testing, prevention, and treatment options, many people don’™t know their dog is suffering from these debilitating diseases until it’™s too late. The good news is we can screen for these diseases with an simple blood test that can be preformed here at the animal hospital on your pet’s next visit.

It is getting closer to that time of year where snakes begin to emerge from their winter hibernation.

There are ways in which one can minimize the risks when living around snakes and that is where we can help! Stockton Hill Animal Hospital offers a rattlesnake vaccine that protects your dog from the toxins emitted from the bite of the Western Diamondback. This vaccine works by neutralizing the venom giving you time to have your pet seen by our veterinarian.

A snake bite is an emergency but with the rattlesnake vaccine, a snake bite does not always equal a deadly outcome for your dog.