FAQ
Q: Why does my pet need to be seen by a veterinarian?
A: Your pet should be examined twice yearly by his or her veterinarian to ensure their optimum health. Unlike people, pets cannot tell us when something may be hurting or bothering them, and they age at an average rate of 7 times faster than humans. Having your pet regularly examined by a veterinarian for preventative and wellness care is the best way to help prevent and identify a medical issue before it becomes detrimental to their health. Your veterinarian will help keep them as healthy as possible in order to ensure a long life of companionship.
Q: Why do my pets need vaccines?
A: Vaccination is at the cornerstone of pet health. Yearly vaccination against common but prevalent viral infections will help ensure that your pet stays healthy even if he or she should come in contact with an ill animal. Rabies vaccination for pets is required yearly by Louisiana law and most other states in the United States. There is no cure for rabies virus, prevention by vaccination is the best means of protection for your pet. There are other “core” vaccinations we also recommend and administer regularly depending on your pet’s lifestyle.
Q:Do my pets really need heartworm prevention?
A: YES! Louisiana is considered an endemic area for heartworm disease in companion animals. Heartworm disease is prevalent in warmer climates with higher humidity and is transmitted by mosquitos from animal to animal. All companion animals should be on heartworm prevention year-round. Even “indoor only” pets are at risk, because mosquitos can come indoors and most pets use the restroom outside. Heartworm disease, if not prevented or treated can lead to terminal illness of heart failure and death.
Q: Do my pets really need flea/tick prevention?
A: YES! Fleas and ticks thrive in Louisiana’s climate and are not only a source of constant irritation but also transmit serious diseases to your pets and you! Fleas are carriers of tape worms, bubonic plague, blood borne pathogens, and can cause serious anemia in some cases. Ticks are carriers of Lyme’s disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and a host of other blood borne diseases. Consistent and year-round flea and tick prevention is a simple way to help keep your pet and you protected.
Q: What should I do about my pet’s bad breath?
A: Your pet’s bad breath is likely a result plaque and tarter build up on his or her teeth. Tarter build up on teeth and dental disease is very common in pets. Dental disease is the number one condition affecting companion animals. Over 75% of pets 3 years and older have some degree of dental disease, which can be painful and lead disease in other parts of their body. The best way to prevent dental disease is daily teeth brushing and preventative dental cleanings.
Q: Why should I spay and neuter my pets?
A: Spaying and neutering your pets and doing it at about 6 months of age has many benefits. The inability for female pets to become pregnant and preventing male pets from breeding are the most common reasons. Neutered males have a zero-percent chance of developing testicular cancer and have decreased chances of prostate issues as they age. Spayed females cannot develop a common life threating uterine infection called pyometra and have a significantly less chance of developing mammary caner. By removing the hormonal influence, there are also behavioral benefits of spayed and neutered pets.
Q:How do I give my dog medicine?
A: Giving medicine to some dogs can be difficult. The most common and easiest way is to hide your pet’s medicine in a treat like cheese or peanut butter. Sometimes for the more suspicious pets this doesn’t work. When this happens, you may have to “pill” your pet. The best way to pill your pet is to use your finger to push the medicine as far back on his or her tongue in the back of the mouth as possible and then immediately close their mouth.
Q: What are anal glands?
A: Both cats and dogs have anal glands. Anal glands are located on each side of the anal opening, between the internal and external anal sphincters. Yours pet naturally produces secretions that fill the anal gland. In a healthy normal pet, the anal glands are expressed on the feces produced by your pet by the contraction of the internal and external anal sphincters. Sometimes the glands don’t completely empty or can become inflamed and lead to impaction of the glands. This can cause irritation to your pet and you may see them licking at their rear end or scooting it on the ground to relieve themselves. Your veterinary team can express your pet’s anal glands to help bring them relief.
A: Your pet should be examined twice yearly by his or her veterinarian to ensure their optimum health. Unlike people, pets cannot tell us when something may be hurting or bothering them, and they age at an average rate of 7 times faster than humans. Having your pet regularly examined by a veterinarian for preventative and wellness care is the best way to help prevent and identify a medical issue before it becomes detrimental to their health. Your veterinarian will help keep them as healthy as possible in order to ensure a long life of companionship.
Q: Why do my pets need vaccines?
A: Vaccination is at the cornerstone of pet health. Yearly vaccination against common but prevalent viral infections will help ensure that your pet stays healthy even if he or she should come in contact with an ill animal. Rabies vaccination for pets is required yearly by Louisiana law and most other states in the United States. There is no cure for rabies virus, prevention by vaccination is the best means of protection for your pet. There are other “core” vaccinations we also recommend and administer regularly depending on your pet’s lifestyle.
Q:Do my pets really need heartworm prevention?
A: YES! Louisiana is considered an endemic area for heartworm disease in companion animals. Heartworm disease is prevalent in warmer climates with higher humidity and is transmitted by mosquitos from animal to animal. All companion animals should be on heartworm prevention year-round. Even “indoor only” pets are at risk, because mosquitos can come indoors and most pets use the restroom outside. Heartworm disease, if not prevented or treated can lead to terminal illness of heart failure and death.
Q: Do my pets really need flea/tick prevention?
A: YES! Fleas and ticks thrive in Louisiana’s climate and are not only a source of constant irritation but also transmit serious diseases to your pets and you! Fleas are carriers of tape worms, bubonic plague, blood borne pathogens, and can cause serious anemia in some cases. Ticks are carriers of Lyme’s disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and a host of other blood borne diseases. Consistent and year-round flea and tick prevention is a simple way to help keep your pet and you protected.
Q: What should I do about my pet’s bad breath?
A: Your pet’s bad breath is likely a result plaque and tarter build up on his or her teeth. Tarter build up on teeth and dental disease is very common in pets. Dental disease is the number one condition affecting companion animals. Over 75% of pets 3 years and older have some degree of dental disease, which can be painful and lead disease in other parts of their body. The best way to prevent dental disease is daily teeth brushing and preventative dental cleanings.
Q: Why should I spay and neuter my pets?
A: Spaying and neutering your pets and doing it at about 6 months of age has many benefits. The inability for female pets to become pregnant and preventing male pets from breeding are the most common reasons. Neutered males have a zero-percent chance of developing testicular cancer and have decreased chances of prostate issues as they age. Spayed females cannot develop a common life threating uterine infection called pyometra and have a significantly less chance of developing mammary caner. By removing the hormonal influence, there are also behavioral benefits of spayed and neutered pets.
Q:How do I give my dog medicine?
A: Giving medicine to some dogs can be difficult. The most common and easiest way is to hide your pet’s medicine in a treat like cheese or peanut butter. Sometimes for the more suspicious pets this doesn’t work. When this happens, you may have to “pill” your pet. The best way to pill your pet is to use your finger to push the medicine as far back on his or her tongue in the back of the mouth as possible and then immediately close their mouth.
Q: What are anal glands?
A: Both cats and dogs have anal glands. Anal glands are located on each side of the anal opening, between the internal and external anal sphincters. Yours pet naturally produces secretions that fill the anal gland. In a healthy normal pet, the anal glands are expressed on the feces produced by your pet by the contraction of the internal and external anal sphincters. Sometimes the glands don’t completely empty or can become inflamed and lead to impaction of the glands. This can cause irritation to your pet and you may see them licking at their rear end or scooting it on the ground to relieve themselves. Your veterinary team can express your pet’s anal glands to help bring them relief.
"The righteous care for the needs of the animals..."
(Proverbs 12:10 NIV)
(Proverbs 12:10 NIV)
