We would like to take a moment to explain why we feel the veterinarian is an integral part of your pet’s supplement care. Your veterinarian provides professional advice and care for your four-legged family member. The veterinarian optimizes the total care of your pet by coordinating all aspects, including that of supplementation.

1) Question: I don’t understand differences in supplement products.

Answer: Your veterinarian can help you make an informed decision, explaining how products are different, and why the brand that they recommend may include ingredients that are more beneficial for your pet’s individual condition.

2) Question: How can I be confident in the quality of the products I buy for my pet?

Answer: The veterinarian reviews testing and quality information, selecting high-quality products from a reputable company before making a recommendation for your pet’s health care. Clients may ask for testing information citing specific test methodology (such as Cetylpyridinium Chloride titration of Chondroitin Sulfate, Capillary Electrophoresis of Glucosamine and Gas Chromatography of Methylsulfonylmethane) to be sure the label claims are substantiated and they are getting what they pay for. This type of information is not usually available from their super store brand, so the pet owner would need to contact each company directly to find out if they have testing information available.

3) Question: The supplements my veterinarian sells may be more expensive than the ones from the super store.

Answer: While many products may initially “look alike”, there are many differences in ingredient strength/purity, amount and frequency of use. One bottle may last the average 75 lb dog three weeks, while a higher quality product will usually last almost three months. With the recent price increase (ranging from double to quadruple last years prices) of Chondroitin and Glucosamine, some companies selling over-the-counter (OTC) products may use the same amount of a lesser quality ingredient and still claim on their label that the product contains an equal amount of a critical ingredient. For example, a company may be replacing 90% pure Chondroitin with that of 16% pure Chondroitin (similar to adding water to a pure fruit juice). Therefore, it may be more expensive to keep buying a product with ingredients that may not have been tested to meet the label claims. The end result of lower ingredient concentration / quality may be observed as a decreased or lack of response by your pet to the supplement used. Consumers should be aware that cheap products are often cheap for a reason.

We thank you for the trust you have placed in Stockton Hill Animal Hospital to provide your pet with a high-quality supplement. Please contact us with any questions that you may have regarding our products.

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

We will also be participating in the Relay for Life walk downtown on June 6th. We invite you to join our team “Critters for the Cure” in our cause to help find the cure for cancer. Call us today to find out more! This is a great cause and we are happy to be a part of it.

Come in to Stockton Hill Animal Hospital to see the many other ways you and your pet can help the American Cancer Society find a cure! Call us today at 928-757-7979 to schedule your pet’s bath or to join our relay team. There’s never been a better reason to get your pet squeaky clean!

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.

Consider your current cat’s personality before getting another cat. An energetic and active cat is more likely to accept a new kitten while a quiet, more reclusive cat may prefer an adult cat. Be sure to neuter or spay your kitten as soon as they reach the age suggested by your veterinarian. We prefer to spay or neuter young pets at four months of age. This helps reduce hormonal aggression and territorial marking.

If your cats exhibit personality conflicts, you can reduce the tension between family felines by making sure each cat has enough personal space and their own toys to fulfill their needs. Make sure you have at least one litter box per cat plus one extra, and that they are easy to get to. To avoid conflicts between cats, consider placing litter boxes in different locations throughout the house to avoid the exclusion of one cat from another cat’s territory.

Be sure to keep plenty of clean, fresh water available for your cats at all times. Keeping bowls in multiple locations throughout the house might be a good idea. Keep scratching posts and beds in several locations to accommodate all the cats in your household.

We also recommend a product called Feliway. It uses calming pheromones to reduce instinctive urges to mark and scratch. Pheromones are naturally secreted when cats rub objects with the side of their face. These pheromones are later recognized by the cat and produce feelings of familiarity and comfort. Feliway spray entices your cat to rub his face on treated objects, depositing his own facial pheromones on the object so that it becomes a place he is unlikely to urine mark.

It is always hard to know when to euthanize your pet, even when they’ve had a happy and long life. When deciding to put Rusty to sleep we looked at his quality of life even though he wasn’t very old. Here are some of the things we considered:

• Is your pet still eating?
• Does your pet like interaction with people or other pets?
• Are they in pain?
• Is your pet still going to the bathroom outside?
• Can their medical problems still be managed?

When the answer to most of these questions was no, it was time for us to euthanize Rusty and let him go peacefully. You and your family know your pet best, and only you can decide when the time is right. If you are struggling with the decision to euthanize your pet a veterinarian can help guide you and help evaluate your pet’s quality of life.

It was very hard for our family to let Rusty go even though it was time, and he was suffering. I don’t think it is ever easy to euthanize your pet, but it is a peaceful option, and better then letting them suffer.

Rusty died as he had lived, in our best care, in our hearts, and surrounded by those that loved him. We will miss you Rusty, we will never forget you.

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!

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.