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Pets Most Often Affected by Ticks and Fleas:
All dogs and cats from puppies and kittens to seniors!
Adult fleas are small, flat, wingless, and have three pairs of jointed legs. They have siphon-like mouth-parts and feed on the blood of their hosts by piercing and sucking. Fleas are just about everywhere – everywhere there are animals – including birds and many mammals.
In suitable environments, fleas can breed indoors all year. Fleas on dogs & cats can result in obvious irritation and itching. But they can also trigger a variety of more serious allergic reactions, including dermatitis – an inflammation of the skin. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms. Because fleas feed on blood, blood loss can result in anemia, with puppies and kittens at particular risk.
Scratching may be the first sign that your pet has a problem with fleas. This scratching can lead to hair loss and skin infections. Look for irritated areas on your pet’s back, abdomen, neck, rump and on the inside of the thighs. If you think your pet has fleas, call Ridglea West Animal Hospital.
A single female tick lays 2,000 to 3,000 eggs at a time. A baby tick is the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Baby ticks transmit just as much disease as adults. The American dog tick is probably the most widespread tick species in the U.S. and is the primary carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease that can be fatal to humans in severe cases.
What You Can Do to Help Control Fleas and Ticks
Contact Dr. Verwers to prescribe Revolution® (selamectin) as a preventative and treatment for fleas and ticks. With monthly dosing, Revolution® kills any stage of the tick on a dog or a cat.
Revolution® kills fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. It’s important to remove fleas, not only from your pet, but also from his/her environment.
Question: What causes heartworm disease? Answer: Question: How are heartworms transmitted? Answer: Heartworms can only be transmitted from one animal to another by mosquitoes. Adult worms produce microfilariae (small, immature heartworms) which may be found in the blood of infected dogs. The mosquito ingests heartworm microfilariae when biting an infected host (usually a dog). The microfilariae develop in the mosquito into \”infective larvae\” and are deposited with saliva on the dog\’s skin as the mosquito is feeding. The infective larvae pass through the skin and migrate through the body tissues. Question: Are all dogs at risk? Answer: Question: What are the signs of heartworm disease in dogs? Answer: Initially, dogs tend to develop a cough and experience difficulty breathing. They may exhibit decreased tolerance to exercise, develop fainting episodes or suffer severe weight loss. Since the heart and lungs are affected, many of the clinical signs seen are typical of heart failure, pneumonia or other debilitating disease. The severity and onset of clinical signs relate to three things: the number of heartworms present, the duration of the infection and the dog\’s response. Question: My dog rarely goes outside. Can it be infected with heartworms? Answer: Question: When do veterinarians recommend testing for heartworm infection? Answer: Question: Can canine heartworm disease be prevented? Answer:
Heartworm Disease in Canines
Question: What causes heartworm disease? Answer: Question: How are heartworms transmitted? Answer: Question: What are the signs of heartworm disease in cats? Answer: If your cat is heartworm positive and develops clinical signs, see your veterinarian immediately. Question: My cat is an indoor cat. Can it be infected with heartworms? Answer: Question: When do veterinarians recommend testing for heartworm infection? Answer:
Heartworm Disease in Felines
This page describes the benefits of spaying and neutering cats and dogs. Please note that it is also very important to control the number of other pet animals such as rabbits, ferrets, small rodents, birds, and exotic animals. These animals are subject to the ills of over breeding as well.
- The Problem
- The Solution
- Why Should I Spay or Neuter my Pet?
- Spaying a Female Pet Has These Benefits:
- Neutering a Male Pet Has These Benefits:
- When Should I Spay or Neuter my Pet?
The Problem
There are too many animals for the number of responsible, loving, permanent homes. Yet more are born every day. Many of these homeless animals suffer and die in the streets from cold, starvation, disease, poisoning, and cruelty. Most of these victims are the offspring of family pets or abandoned pets, particularly cats.
Dogs and cats reach sexual maturity at about six months, and can reproduce at an alarming rate. back to top
The Solution
The best way to reduce the number of pets that suffer or must be destroyed is to reduce the number of puppies and kittens being born. This is done most effectively through surgical sterilization.Surgical sterilization of female pets (SPAYING) is the removal of the ovaries, oviduct, and uterus. Surgical sterilization of male pets (NEUTERING) is the removal of the testicles.
With modern anesthetic and surgical techniques, these surgeries are safe when done by a qualified veterinarian and can be quite inexpensive. back to top
Why Should I Spay or Neuter my Pet?
The Animal will be a More Content Family Member. A spayed or neutered animal has a greater chance of staying in good health and enjoying a long life. Spaying and neutering eliminates distress, distraction, and discomfort associated with the sex drive. Neutered and spayed pets are usually calmer and more content to stay at home with their human families. If you have more than one pet in the household, your pets will likely get along with each other much better if they are all spayed and neutered. back to top
Spaying a Female Pet Has These Benefits:
- Prevents pregnancy
- Prevents false pregnancy
- Prevents the complications of pregnancy and delivery
- Eliminates heat cycles and stops the bloody discharge
- Ends crying, nervous pacing, and frantic efforts to get out and find a mate
- Reduces the urge to roam, thus reducing the risk of losing a pet, infectious diseases, fights, injury, trapping, cruelty, poisoning, or death in traffic
- Prevents visits from unwelcome males attracted to the scent of a female in heat
- Eliminates or reduces the incidence of disease, infection, and cancer of the reproductive system
- Reduces stress, which can lead to increased susceptibility to disease
A female dog normally comes into heat twice a year. She will attract males for almost three weeks until bred. During breeding season, a female cat can come into heat every three weeks. Simply confining a pet may cause tremendous frustration for both the pet owner and the animal. All her instincts are telling her to find a mate.
- Walking a female dog in heat is like waving a flag to all the male dogs in the neighborhood. Nothing will keep them away.
- A fenced yard will not keep out a determined dog or a cat in heat. Many puppies are conceived in securely fenced yards.
- Cats in heat will wail, rub, and dart out of the door at the first opportunity. Cats in heat have even been known to jump out of second-story windows. back to top
Neutering a Male Pet Has These Benefits:
- Stops mating drive
- Ends howling, nervous pacing, destructive behavior, and frantic efforts to get out and find a mate
- Reduces the urge to roam, thus reducing the risk of losing a pet, infectious diseases, fights, injury, trapping, cruelty, poisoning, or death in traffic
- Stops or reduces the mounting of people’s legs or furniture associated with sexual behavior of male dogs
- Results in a calmer pet that is easier to train and control
- Eliminates testicular cancers and reduces prostate gland problems in older dogs
- Reduces stress that could lead to increased susceptibility to disease
Unneutered male cats mark territory by ‘spraying’ objects (including those inside the home) with foul-smelling urine. Unneutered male dogs also mark their territory, although their urine isn’t as strong smelling. Unneutered male cats or dogs can detect females in heat for blocks around at any hour of the day or night. The urge to get away will at times overpower the unneutered male dog or cat’s sense of loyalty to his human family. (Laboratories pay well for dogs needed for research and unscrupulous individuals have been known to lure unneutered family pets away from home using female dogs in heat!) back to top
When Should I Spay or Neuter my Pet?
Neuter or spay a pet before he or she reaches sexual maturity. Most veterinarians recommend that male and female cats and dogs be neutered or spayed at six months of age. Pediatric spay and neutering of animals as young as 8 weeks old has been well researched, and is becoming more accepted and common. There are no known detectable side-effects from this early procedure.
For health reasons, females should be spayed before their first heat! They should not be allowed to have even one litter. Surgery can be performed on older pets as long as they are in good health. Pregnant animals can be spayed at a veterinarian’s discretion. One of the safest, most effective ways to help a dog or cat be a healthy, well adjusted, sociable pet is to have him or her neutered or spayed at an early age. back to top
Kittens
6-8 Weeks
- First Visit – Physical Examination
- Vaccination for Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis & Calicivirus (PRC)
- Feline Leukemia (FELV) Blood Test
- Intestinal Parasite Test (requires stool sample)
- Worming Medication (if needed)
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
9- 11 Weeks
- Physical Examination
- Vaccination for PRC
- 2nd worming or Intestinal Parasite Re-Test if negative at 6-8 Weeks
- Discuss Feline Heartworm Disease
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
12-14 Weeks
- Physical Examination
- Vaccination for PRC
- Vaccination for FELV
- Intestinal Parasite Re-Test
- Vaccination for Rabies (first Rabies vaccine is good for one year each subsequent vaccine pasts three years)
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
6 Months
- Physical Examination
- First Wellness Blood Work
- First Fluoride Treatment
- Ovariohysterectomy (OHE – Female) Research has shown that females who have had an OHE before their first heat cycle have a significantly lower incidence of mammary (breast) cancer later in life.
- Orchiectomy (Neuter – Male) Neutering decreases the incidence of territorial aggression and urine marking
- Avid Chip – Injecatable Permanent Pet Identification
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
ADULTS
Annually
- Wellness Blood Work
- Physical Examination (yearly PE’s are important for your pet’s health)
- Intestinal Parasite Test (requires stool sample)
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
- Teeth cleaned and polished
- Dental X-ray
Every 3 Years
- Vaccination for Rabies
- Vaccination for PRC
- Vaccination for FELV
SENIOR CATS
Annually
- Senior Wellness Blood Work for Senior Urinary Analysis (requires urine sample)
- Physical Examination (yearly PE’s are important for your pet’s health)
- Intestinal Parasite Test (requires stool sample)
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
- Teeth cleaned and polished
- Dental X-ray
Every 3 Years
- Vaccination for Rabies
- Vaccination for PRC
- Vaccination for FELV
Puppies
6-8 Weeks
- First Visit – Physical Examination
- Vaccination for Distemper, Adeno-virus and Parvovirus (DAP)
- Intestinal Parasite Test (requires stool sample)
- Worming Medication
- Begin Heartworm Prevention
- Begin Flea Control
9- 13 Weeks
- Physical Examination
- Vaccination for DAP and Lepto
- 2nd Worming or Intestinal Parasite Re-Test if Neg at 6-8 Weeks
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
14-20 Weeks
- Physical Examination
- DAP, Lipto and Rabies
- Vaccination for DAP/Coronavirus/Leptospirosis
- Intestinal Parasite Re-Test
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
6 Months
- Physical Examination
- First Wellness Blood Work
- Ovariohysterectomy (OHE – female)
Research has shown that females who have had an OHE before their first heat cycle have a significantly lower incidence of mammary (breast) cancer later in life. - Orchiectomy (Neuter – male) -Neutering dogs decreases territorial aggression and the risks of prostate and rectal cancers later in life
- Avid Chip – Injectable, permanent pet identification
- Heartworm Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
ADULTS
Annually
- Wellness Blood Work
- Physical Examination (yearly PE’s are important for your pet’s health)
- Intestinal Parasite Test (requires stool sample)
- Heartworm Blood Test and Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
- Lepto Vaccination
- Teeth cleaned and polished
- Dental X-ray
Every 3 Years
- Vaccination for Rabies
- Vaccination for DAP/Leptospirosis 4 way
SENIOR DOGS
Annually
- Senior Wellness Blood Work for Senior Urinary Analysis (requires urine sample)
- Physical Examination
- Intestinal Parasite Test (requires stool sample)
- Heartworm Blood Test and Preventive Medication
- Flea Control
- Lepto Vaccination
- Teeth cleaned and polished
- Dental X-ray
Every 3 Years
- Vaccination for Rabies
- Vaccination for DAP/Leptospirosis 4 way
- Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars seeking warmth. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
- Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm-dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season. To make sure your dog is returned if he should stray, make sure yours always wears ID tags and has a micro-chip embedded.
- Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
- Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. However, a thick-coated dog typically needs grooming in cold weather. The fur can get wet and matted, making it an irritant. Clean fur holds air in a manner similar to layering clothes, thus helping the animal stay warm.
- When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
- Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
- Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. However, I DO NOT recommend training a puppy to go potty on papers inside of your house. This behavior is very difficult to change later. Train your puppy to go outside to relieve himself but just make the breaks short in cold weather.
- Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him-and his fur-in tip-top shape.
- Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
- Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
A Rattlesnake Vaccine can protect your dog from serious injury should they be bitten by a rattlesnake. Now that Fall is here, and our pets are outside more, it is important that all of your dogs be protected with a Rattlesnake Vaccine.
How much does a Rattlesnake Vaccine cost?
For current RWAH clients, each dog can be vaccinated for under $30. There is no Office Call charge for a Rattlesnake Vaccine.
Quail Season in Texas begins October 31st
Get your dog vaccinated now so your dog will be protected and you will be ready to go hunting!
How do I get a Rattlesnake Vaccine for my dog?
Contact the friendly staff at Ridglea West Animal Hospital and they will help you schedule a Rattlesnake Vaccine for your dog. Call 817-763-0261
How does a Rattlesnake Vaccine help my dog?
The vaccine stimulates your dog’s own immunity. This process makes vaccination safer than antivenom treatment. Protective antibodies made by your dog in response to the vaccine start neutralizing venom immediately. On average, antibody levels in recently vaccinated dogs are comparable to treatment with three vials of antivenom. This means vaccinated dogs should experience less pain and a reduced risk of permanent injury from rattlesnake bite.
Important Note: In the field, rattlesnakes are masters of camouflage and are rarely seen…until it’s too late!
Dogs can encounter a rattlesnake anytime they are in a rattlesnake territory, like Texas. Rattlesnakes may be around when you take your dog hiking, camping or hunting. Like people, dogs may stumble over the location of a snake by accident. Curiosity or a protective instinct can place your dog at risk. In each case, a rattlesnake vaccination helps to protect your dog.
Contact the RWAH staff today to arrange for your dog’s Rattlesnake Vaccination.
- Extra attention from visiting relatives and friends may be relished by some pets, while others seek solitude in their favorite hiding spot. Too many unknown visitors may cause your pet unnecessary stress. Make sure pets are given some “personal space” if they want to get away from the commotion.Some pets may respond to all of the hullabaloo with a change in behavior, like eliminating in the house. Try to spend a little extra “quality time” with your pet to assure them they have not been forgotten
- Even though pets have their own water bowls, there is something enticing about a novel source of water, whether it’s the toilet bowl or the Christmas tree stand. If you add chemicals to the water meant to keep your tree fresh longer, be sure to read the label to make sure it is safe for pets.Poinsettias & Mistletoe – Poinsettias fill homes with color during the holidays. Poinsettias have received bad publicity in the past but actually, poinsettias are not very toxic to pets. They do contain a milky sap that can irritate the mouth, but if signs develop, they are usually mild.
- Mistletoe can be very toxic to animals and you should call the Ridglea West Animal Hospital immediately if your pet has potentially ingested any part of the plant. Mistletoe can cause vomiting, severe diarrhea, difficult breathing, shock, and death within hours of ingestion.
- COOKED BONES ARE DANGEROUS! Please, Please don’t feed your pets bones, especially poultry bones. Poultry bones splinter easily – each year thousands of pets are treated for consumption of splintered bones, causing pain and sometimes death.
- If you are planning to take your pet with you when visiting friends and relatives during the holidays, contact them in advance to be sure that your pet is welcome. Because of the excitement during the holidays, it might be best to board your pet. Ridglea West Animal Hospital offers clean, safe boarding for your pet and provides loving, attentive care while you’re gone.
- Electrical cords for decorations should be taped to the wall or floor to ensure your pet does not chew or trip over them. Curiosity and accidents go hand in hand.
- Play it safe and keep all gifts out of the reach of pets. Wrapping paper and ribbons are wonderful enticements for cats. Edible gifts, intended for people, can easily be sniffed out and eaten (paper and all) by dogs. You don’t want to have to deal with a choking incident or stomach upset, particularly at this time of year.
- Resist the temptation to tie ribbons around pet’s necks for the holidays. Ribbons can become inadvertently tightened, resulting in choking.Holiday costumes for your pets may be cute in the family photos, but you should be aware that most costumes have rubber bands to keep them securely in place. If rubber bands are left on the pet after the fun is over, the pet could chew the bands off and swallow them, causing choking or intestinal injuries. Remove costumes as soon as the photos are over and put them out of your pet’s reach.
- New Year’s brings in a brand new year filled with the promise of hope, prosperity, health, and happiness. But be alert to any pet hazards such as fun noise-makers and confetti. Noise-makers can frighten your pet, causing the pet to bolt out an open door or window in search of safety. Confetti can be ingested, wreaking havoc to the digestive tract.
- Please do not give any animal, of any age, as a Christmas gift. Remember, the first weeks of a new life or a sudden change to an adult pet is extremely traumatic for them. Instead, give gifts of pet supplies, food, and accessories. Then after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the loved one can select the pet of their choice to bring home to peace and quiet.RWAH has a large selection of supplies, food, and toys that make excellent gifts for current or future pets!
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