If my dog goes blind in old age, should I have him put to sleep?

No, Many dogs that are partially or totally blind manage very successfully in familiar surroundings. Dogs adapt well to this handicap, particularly if blindness comes on slowly and if they remain among people they know and love. Similarly, with dogs that become totally deaf, they do very well if you appreciate that they cannot come when called or respond to other verbal commands, and you take care to keep them out of harms way such as traffic.

What should I feed my pet?

We recommend ProPlan for normally active dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens are generally on puppy/kitten food until approximately 7-8 months of age, unless he/she is a large breed dog; then they are usually on puppy food for 12 months. Sometimes we switch young pets to adult food at an earlier age if they are gaining too much weight on puppy food. There are many types of dog food out on the market today. Generally, the type of food you feed depends on the age and lifestyle of the dog/cat. Furthermore, some pets that have medical problems are on an appropriate diet for that condition (i.e. kidney problems, liver problems, bladder stones, etc). These special diets are prescribed through your veterinarian. Older/geriatric pets usually are on a diet especially made for senior pets. There also exists diets for less active pets, highly active pets, etc.

When should I spay/neuter my pet?

We recommend that you spay/neuter at 4 months of age. We feel this is a good age and they tend to recover faster from surgery the younger they are.

My pet is itchy. Does he/she have fleas?

Pets can be itchy for many reasons, such as: fleas, dry skin, mites, allergies, etc. A good way to check for fleas is to look around the rump/groin area by looking at the skin, separating the fur by going against the grain (towards the head). If your pet has fleas, you can either see the fleas on your pet, or you may see what appear to be grains of pepper that are actually flea feces. Fleas feed on your pet by biting them and ingesting blood. To tell if it is flea feces, put your pet on a white surface and rub/shake their fur. You should see the black specks on the white surface. Wet your finger and smudge the black specks. If they turn red, these are flea feces and your pet has fleas. If you do not see any indication of fleas, you should contact your veterinarian to rule out other medical problems.

How Do I know if my dog has Arthritis?

Many older dogs develop arthritis, just like many elderly humans do. There really is not much you can do to prevent arthritis from striking your dog. Sometimes arthritis is brought on by injury or an infection, but age is still the most commonly known factor and, unfortunately, you cannot keep your furry friend from getting older. You will suspect your dog may have arthritis when he begins having trouble getting up and down or doing any of the activities he used to enjoy. Stair climbing, running, and jumping will probably decrease and doggy may even seem to be in pain some of the time. His joints will start to swell and he may eventually, in the worst cases become lame. There are several types of arthritis, but the most common we see in animals is called Osteoarthritis which is an inflammation of the joints caused most of the time, by everyday normal use. Prescription pain medication such as Rimadyl can offer some relief for your still and aching pooch, as well as medications that help increase the lubrication in the joints. Some pet parents however prefer to try alternative remedies such as herbal medications and acupuncture. If you believe your animal has any of these symptoms please contact us here at Heritage Animal Hospital for any answers to your questions.

How do I go about brushing my dog's teeth?

There are several ways to accomplish this. Special toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental chews and oral rinses are manufactured specifically for dogs and cats (only pet products should be used- not human). While it is easier to start oral care when your pet is younger, it is never too late to start. If your pet already has bad breath and plaque build-up, scheduling an appointment to have the teeth professionally cleaned should be done prior to home care. This way, the teeth are cleaned and evaluated to ensure that your efforts are being put to good use. It is best to brush daily; however, every other day is okay as long as a dental chew or an oral rinse is used on the "off" days.

What about fleas?

All dogs who come to Doggie Day Care are required to either be on a flea preventative medication or will be check for fleas every time they come. If fleas are found on your pet, they will be sent home. Our facility is specifically set up to not inhabit fleas as our outdoor yard and rubber floor are cleaned and sanitized daily.

What could be the cause of my dog having diarrhea ?

Virus such as distemper or parvo, irritant poisons, food poisoning or dietary allergies are the most common causes of diarrhea. In all cases where diarrhea persists or your dog is passing blood or rapidly becoming weak, veterinary attention should be obtained immediately.

Is infection the same as disease?

No, infection is when a particular micro-organism has become established in or on the dog's body. If the dog's normal defence mechanisms are damaged or weakened thereby allowing the commensals to invade other areas, it can then produce disease.

How does a dog get rabies?

Rabies is generally transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Other routes of infection are possible but much less common; such as infective saliva can enter through a scratch or an existing skin wound, or droplets of saliva may be inhaled. Another way a dog can get rabies is if it eats the carcass of an infected animal.

What kind of tumors do dogs get most commonly?

Each year about four dogs in every thousand develop a tumor. Of these the most common are skin tumors, tumors of the mammary glands, tumors of bones, lymph nodes, testicles, one organ of the digestive tract (most commonly the gums of the mouth). Tumors appear earlier in Boxers than other breeds and is roughly four times as common. They occur tow or three times more frequently in Cocker Spaniels, Fox Terriers and Boston Terriers. Beagles have a very low incidence or tumor formation. Mammary tumors are 200 times less likely to occur in bitches spayed before their first heat.

How often should my dog be groomed?

We usually recommend grooming for dogs that need haircuts every 6-8 weeks- dependent upon the hair coat. Some dogs that keep a longer cut should come in more frequently. Dogs with short coats (i.e. Labradors, Boxers, etc.), should also be bathed regularly- every 10-12 weeks. Breeds that required undercoat maintenance (i.e. Samoyeds, Shepherds, etc.) should be brushed weekly at home and professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks. All pets should have their nails trimmed and their ears wiped out at least every 3-4 weeks.