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Just because a person buys a "registered"
puppy, this does not mean that it has been
health checked, properly vaccinated or
de-wormed at the previous home or kennel.
This also does not guarantee the health or
fitness of the puppy for any certain
activity such as show or performance.
Registration is simply a means to track the
genealogy or pedigree (parentage) of the
puppy or litter within an approved
association.
 It
is always recommended that you bring your
new puppy to your veterinarian as soon as
possible after bringing them home for a
wellness and fecal exam, and also to set up
a vaccination schedule tailored to the needs
of each individual puppy to help keep them
as healthy and happy as possible.
This is also the best time to discuss
year-round Heartworm Prevention and Flea and
Tick Control based on your area and
the specific needs of your puppy.
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Secondhand
cigarette smoke is harmful to your pets too?
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One of the number one causes of
bronchitis and COPD (Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease) in Dogs
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Exposure to
secondhand smoke has been associated with
allergies in dogs, eye and skin diseases in
birds, lymph gland cancer in cats, nasal and
lung cancer in dogs, oral cancer in cats and
respiratory problems in both cats and dogs.
Second hand cigarette
smoke is severely irritating and results in
scarring fibrosis in the lungs.
Many dogs as the result of scarring
develop pulmonary hypertension.
Cardiac enlargement occurs due to
severe scarring in the lungs.
Recurrent airway inflammation causes
chronic bronchitis. This combined with other
risk factors such as recurrent bacterial
infections, obesity, dental and laryngeal
disease result in showering of the lower
airways with bacteria, increasing the
likelihood of health problems.
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Don't underestimate the effect your smoking
has on your pet's health. To help protect
your pet, consider smoking in a designated
area of the house away from your pets - or
just quit altogether!
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Chocolate isn't the only "people food" to
avoid giving your pet! |
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Most people are aware of the dangers of
giving your dog chocolate, which, when
ingested by pets, can cause vomiting and
diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and
urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart
rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death.
But chocolate isn't the only dangerous food
lurking in your kitchen cabinets. Coffee
contains the same dangerous chemicals that
are in chocolate and can cause the same
adverse effects.
Other foods such as avocados, macadamia nuts, grapes and
raisins, onions, garlic and chives, and even
gums and candies sweetened with Xylitol can
cause a variety of dangerous health issues
for your pet. Alcoholic beverages, raw eggs
and meat, bones and fat trimmings, and
over-the-counter
medications are other items that should
never be given to your pet.
We all know how hard it is to resist the adorable eyes of a
begging pet, but the safest thing you can
give them is the most obvious - pet
food! Food and treats specifically
formulated for your animals needs will
ensure that you aren't giving your pet
something that can harm them, allowing you
to enjoy the companionship of your
four-legged friend for as long as possible.
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| Common
Misconceptions about Spaying Female Dogs and
Cats: |
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When it comes to spaying a female
dog or cat, there are a lot of
misconceptions and rumors about the benefits
of spaying, the risks of spaying, when to
spay and when not to spay. These are
often persistent and confusing to pet
owners.
Myth #1:
Spaying Makes
a Dog or Cat Fat and Lazy
Many pets do become less active
after being spayed and may gain weight if
allowed. However, this is easily overcome by
controlling the pet's diet and providing
adequate interaction and exercise for the
dog or cat.
Myth #2:
Dogs and Cats
should have One Litter before being Spayed
There is no health benefit to
allowing a dog or cat to give birth before
being spayed. To the contrary, dogs and cats
which are spayed at a young age and before
the first heat cycle have significantly
lower risks of developing mammary cancers as
they get older.
Another consideration in allowing a
female dog or cat to give birth before
spaying is the disposition of all of the
puppies or kittens. Even if the pet owner is
successful in finding homes for all of the
puppies or kittens produced in the litter,
numerous dogs and cats, as well as puppies
and kittens, are euthanized yearly at animal
shelters due
to a lack of available homes. Adding to the
pet overpopulation problem by purposely
breeding a pet dog or cat is irresponsible
and insensitive.
Myth #3:
Dogs and Cats
should not be Spayed Until Six Months of Age
While this was the recommendation
several years ago, it is no longer
recommended to wait until a dog or cat is
six months of age to spay. In fact, early
spaying and neutering is being routinely
performed in veterinary hospitals and at
animal shelters throughout the United States
as early as 6-8 weeks of age without ill
effects.
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Commonly Asked Questions |
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What is the
correct age at which I should have my puppy
or kitten vaccinated against Rabies?
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Vaccination of dogs,
ferrets, and livestock can be started at no
sooner than three months (12 weeks) of age.
Some cat vaccines can be given as early as
two months (8 weeks) of age. Regardless of
the age of the animal at the initial
vaccination, a booster vaccination should be
administered 1 year later and continued at
yearly intervals for the remainder of the
animal's life.
Currently, animals may be vaccinated
annually or triennially depending upon the
vaccination used. The Animal Clinic of West
Plains currently offers both types of
vaccination, please check with our
knowledgeable staff on which is best for
your pet.
According to Federal and State laws, rabies
vaccines should be administered only by or
under the direct supervision of a licensed
veterinarian. As such, we are unable to sell
the Rabies vaccine over the counter for
client administration to their cats and
dogs.
This information is provided by the American
Veterinary Medical Association and in the
Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and
Control, 2007, released by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
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www.avma.org
Contact the CDC
Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
National Center for Zoonotic,
Vector-Borne, & Enteric Diseases (NCZVED)
1600 Clifton Road, NE
MS D-76
Atlanta, GA 30329-4018
Public:
1 (800) CDC-INFO
(232-4636)
Clinicians:
1 (877) 554-4625
Email:
cdcinfo@cdc.gov
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