Warning Signs
You are often times the best judge as to when your pet is not feeling well. Assuring your pet's daily well-being requires regular care and close attention to any hint of ill health.
The American Veterinary Medical Association therefore suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following signs:
The American Veterinary Medical Association therefore suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following signs:
- Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive water consumption or appetite
- Marked, sudden, or unexpected weight loss or gain
- Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination
- Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy
- Limping, lameness, or difficulty getting up,lying down, or using stairs
- Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body
- Vomiting, coughing, wheezing, or sneezing
- Lethargy, listlessness, or exercise intolerance
- Abnormal lumps, swellings, growths, or painful areas
- Dandruff, loss of hair, wounds, abrasions, lacerations, or dull hair coat.
- Foul breath, broken teeth, or excessive tarter deposits on teeth
Dental Health
Studies show that by age three, more than eighty percent of dogs and seventy percent of cats have experienced dental and/or gum disease. Bad breath could be an early warning sign of gingivitis, which leads to dangerous periodontal disease.Prevention is the key to helping pets maintain good oral health.
The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that pet owners follow three important steps:
2. Start a home dental care routine
Removing plaque regularly from your pet's teeth should be part of a pet's home dental care routine.Since plaque forms daily and quickly changes to hard tarter, we recommend daily home dental care. Brushing is ideal; your veterinarian can show you how to brush your pet's teeth properly.We also provide gels and rinses to aid in preventative dental care. Pet owners can feed diets formulated to reduce plaque and/or provide certain treats and supplements to help remove plaque.Your veterinarian can offer more information on dietary options.
3. Get Regular Veterinary Dental Checkups
Just as dental checkups are the cornerstone of human dental programs, scheduling appointments with the family veterinarian for regular dental examinations is essential. Your veterinarian needs to monitor the progress of your pet's preventive dental care routine similar to the way a dentist monitors your teeth.
Milton Veterinary Hospital carries an array of CET toothpaste, toothbrushing accessories, dental chews, dental treats, and complete dental diets to assist our patients with their oral hygiene.
The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that pet owners follow three important steps:
- Visit Your Veterinarian
2. Start a home dental care routine
Removing plaque regularly from your pet's teeth should be part of a pet's home dental care routine.Since plaque forms daily and quickly changes to hard tarter, we recommend daily home dental care. Brushing is ideal; your veterinarian can show you how to brush your pet's teeth properly.We also provide gels and rinses to aid in preventative dental care. Pet owners can feed diets formulated to reduce plaque and/or provide certain treats and supplements to help remove plaque.Your veterinarian can offer more information on dietary options.
3. Get Regular Veterinary Dental Checkups
Just as dental checkups are the cornerstone of human dental programs, scheduling appointments with the family veterinarian for regular dental examinations is essential. Your veterinarian needs to monitor the progress of your pet's preventive dental care routine similar to the way a dentist monitors your teeth.
Milton Veterinary Hospital carries an array of CET toothpaste, toothbrushing accessories, dental chews, dental treats, and complete dental diets to assist our patients with their oral hygiene.
Vaccinations
We must vaccinate our pets to protect them from several highly contagious and fatal diseases. Experts agree that widespread use of vaccines within the last century has prevented death and disease in millions of animals.
Young puppies and kittens are highly susceptible to infectious diseases as their natural immunity acquired through their mother's milk gradually wears off. For the first few months of life, animals should receive a series of vaccinations, usually 3-4 weeks apart, to decrease the risk of infection and to provide optimal protection against disease. Our veterinarians typically administer the final vaccine of the series to 16-week-old puppies and 12-week-old kittens and ferrets.
Traditionally, annual vaccinations were considered normal and necessary for dogs and cats. Through medical advancement, veterinarians have learned more about vaccines and their effect on immune systems; there is increasing evidence that the immunity triggered by some vaccines may provide protection beyond one year. However, other vaccines may fail to stimulate immunity for a full year, depending on exposure risks. Therefore, your veterinarian will tailor a vaccination program specifically for your pet to help maintain a lifetime of infectious disease protection.
Most pets respond well to vaccines, although some do experience adverse reactions. Usually, these reactions are mild and short-term; symptoms include fever, sluggishness, reduced appetite, swelling, and pain at the injection site. Vaccination is not without risk; however, failure to vaccinate leaves your pet vulnerable to lethal, preventable diseases.
Young puppies and kittens are highly susceptible to infectious diseases as their natural immunity acquired through their mother's milk gradually wears off. For the first few months of life, animals should receive a series of vaccinations, usually 3-4 weeks apart, to decrease the risk of infection and to provide optimal protection against disease. Our veterinarians typically administer the final vaccine of the series to 16-week-old puppies and 12-week-old kittens and ferrets.
Traditionally, annual vaccinations were considered normal and necessary for dogs and cats. Through medical advancement, veterinarians have learned more about vaccines and their effect on immune systems; there is increasing evidence that the immunity triggered by some vaccines may provide protection beyond one year. However, other vaccines may fail to stimulate immunity for a full year, depending on exposure risks. Therefore, your veterinarian will tailor a vaccination program specifically for your pet to help maintain a lifetime of infectious disease protection.
Most pets respond well to vaccines, although some do experience adverse reactions. Usually, these reactions are mild and short-term; symptoms include fever, sluggishness, reduced appetite, swelling, and pain at the injection site. Vaccination is not without risk; however, failure to vaccinate leaves your pet vulnerable to lethal, preventable diseases.
Parasites
Internal Parasites
Internal Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms can live inside your pet, rob your animal of vital nutrients, and cause organ disease. This may lead to abnormal symptoms, poor appetite, decreased energy, failure to thrive, serious anemia, organ failure, and even death. Puppies and kittens are especially susceptible to parasite infestation; however, this can be controlled, treated, and prevented. A fecal analysis or blood test may help diagnosis a parasite problem. Some parasites are transmissible to humans, especially children. Your veterinarian can discuss an appropriate, strategic internal parasite prevention program to protect the entire family.
Heartworm begins when an infected dog, carrying tiny immature heartworms (microfilariae) circulating in its blood, is bitten by a mosquito. The mosquito takes in microfilariae (larvae) when it feeds. During the next two-three weeks, the larvae develop within the mosquito into the infective stage. When the mosquito feeds again, it can transmit infective larvae to the healthy dog. The larvae penetrate the dog's skin and migrate through the tissues and develop over the next few months, eventually reaching the dog's heart.
Once in the dog's heart, the worms can grow to as long as 14 inches and cause significant damage to the heart, lungs and other vital organs. If left untreated, heartworm disease can result in death. The only way to know if your dog has heartworm disease is to have your veterinarian examine and test your dog. The procedure is quick and easy. Once it is determined that your dog is free of heartworms, a preventative program will be recommended based on your pets age, lifestyle and frequency of testing.
External Parasites
External parasites include those pesky fleas, ticks, lice, or mites, among others. Some can be rather obvious, while others need a microscope for diagnosis.
Fleas are acrobatic pests that jump onto dogs, cats, and even humans. The development of the flea from egg to adult ranges from 14 to 140 days; our cooler Vermont weather extends the life cycle. If you see fleas on your pet, please consult with your veterinarian.There are many flea treatments and preventatives available; they range in effectiveness and some can be lethal. Before beginning any treatment, you should call your veterinarian's office and if it is okay to use, you should take care to follow the instructions exactly. Environmental treatment is an essential part of flea control. Regular, thorough vacuuming and frequent laundering helps to remove eggs, larvae, and pupae from the surroundings. If left untreated, fleas can cause severe skin infections, anemia, tapeworms, and uncomfortable stress.
Ticks, including the tick that transmits Lyme Disease, populate Vermont heavily. Ticks will attach to your pet for days, yet they can be difficult to see at first due to their small size. Ticks can transmit several different diseases. Check your pet daily for ticks or use a tick preventative that your veterinarian recommends. There are many tick treatments and preventatives available; they range in effectiveness and some can be lethal. Before beginning any treatment, you should call your veterinarian's office and if it is okay to use, you should take care to follow the instructions exactly. If you find a tick, consult with your veterinarian for removal, or remove it yourself correctly. It is important not to leave any part of the tick behind, especially the mouthparts. To remove a tick, use a special tick remover device or small tweezers; firmly grip the tick's mouth parts as close to the skin as possible and pull it out straight. You can clean the skin with hydrogen peroxide. Immerse the tick in alcohol to kill it. Save the tick in the alcohol and mark the date you removed it in the event clinical signs of disease occur and identification of the tick becomes necessary. If you notice fever, lameness, lethargy, or anything else unusual or abnormal, please make an appointment with your veterinarian. At Milton Veterinary Hospital, we offer Lyme Disease and Ehrlichia testing with the Heartworm test so we can screen your dog for these serious diseases transmitted by ticks.
Lice are species specific, which means they will not live on any type of animal, including humans, other than the species of animal they are currently residing. There are two kinds of lice: bloodsucking lice and chewing lice. With some practice, you can usually see lice with visual inspection. Lice are well-adapted parasites that are usually more of a nuisance than a threat to their hosts; it takes a large population of lice to drain the vitality of the animal they parasitize. If you examine your pet's hair coat frequently, you should be able to identify a concern and see your veterinarian for treatment before a major problem develops.
Mites are microscopic creatures that live deep within the animal's skin and ears. You cannot see most mites with the naked eye, but they can cause many irritating problems, including mange and ear infections. The most common presentation of an animal infected with mites is intense itchiness. You may also see hair loss, ear debris or discharge, and red, inflamed skin. Humans and other animals may pick up some types of mites; however, there are also mites that are not contagious. These non-contagious mites may indicate an underlying immune problem with your pet. Your veterinarian will need to identify and treat mite infestations.
Internal Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms can live inside your pet, rob your animal of vital nutrients, and cause organ disease. This may lead to abnormal symptoms, poor appetite, decreased energy, failure to thrive, serious anemia, organ failure, and even death. Puppies and kittens are especially susceptible to parasite infestation; however, this can be controlled, treated, and prevented. A fecal analysis or blood test may help diagnosis a parasite problem. Some parasites are transmissible to humans, especially children. Your veterinarian can discuss an appropriate, strategic internal parasite prevention program to protect the entire family.
Heartworm begins when an infected dog, carrying tiny immature heartworms (microfilariae) circulating in its blood, is bitten by a mosquito. The mosquito takes in microfilariae (larvae) when it feeds. During the next two-three weeks, the larvae develop within the mosquito into the infective stage. When the mosquito feeds again, it can transmit infective larvae to the healthy dog. The larvae penetrate the dog's skin and migrate through the tissues and develop over the next few months, eventually reaching the dog's heart.
Once in the dog's heart, the worms can grow to as long as 14 inches and cause significant damage to the heart, lungs and other vital organs. If left untreated, heartworm disease can result in death. The only way to know if your dog has heartworm disease is to have your veterinarian examine and test your dog. The procedure is quick and easy. Once it is determined that your dog is free of heartworms, a preventative program will be recommended based on your pets age, lifestyle and frequency of testing.
External Parasites
External parasites include those pesky fleas, ticks, lice, or mites, among others. Some can be rather obvious, while others need a microscope for diagnosis.
Fleas are acrobatic pests that jump onto dogs, cats, and even humans. The development of the flea from egg to adult ranges from 14 to 140 days; our cooler Vermont weather extends the life cycle. If you see fleas on your pet, please consult with your veterinarian.There are many flea treatments and preventatives available; they range in effectiveness and some can be lethal. Before beginning any treatment, you should call your veterinarian's office and if it is okay to use, you should take care to follow the instructions exactly. Environmental treatment is an essential part of flea control. Regular, thorough vacuuming and frequent laundering helps to remove eggs, larvae, and pupae from the surroundings. If left untreated, fleas can cause severe skin infections, anemia, tapeworms, and uncomfortable stress.
Ticks, including the tick that transmits Lyme Disease, populate Vermont heavily. Ticks will attach to your pet for days, yet they can be difficult to see at first due to their small size. Ticks can transmit several different diseases. Check your pet daily for ticks or use a tick preventative that your veterinarian recommends. There are many tick treatments and preventatives available; they range in effectiveness and some can be lethal. Before beginning any treatment, you should call your veterinarian's office and if it is okay to use, you should take care to follow the instructions exactly. If you find a tick, consult with your veterinarian for removal, or remove it yourself correctly. It is important not to leave any part of the tick behind, especially the mouthparts. To remove a tick, use a special tick remover device or small tweezers; firmly grip the tick's mouth parts as close to the skin as possible and pull it out straight. You can clean the skin with hydrogen peroxide. Immerse the tick in alcohol to kill it. Save the tick in the alcohol and mark the date you removed it in the event clinical signs of disease occur and identification of the tick becomes necessary. If you notice fever, lameness, lethargy, or anything else unusual or abnormal, please make an appointment with your veterinarian. At Milton Veterinary Hospital, we offer Lyme Disease and Ehrlichia testing with the Heartworm test so we can screen your dog for these serious diseases transmitted by ticks.
Lice are species specific, which means they will not live on any type of animal, including humans, other than the species of animal they are currently residing. There are two kinds of lice: bloodsucking lice and chewing lice. With some practice, you can usually see lice with visual inspection. Lice are well-adapted parasites that are usually more of a nuisance than a threat to their hosts; it takes a large population of lice to drain the vitality of the animal they parasitize. If you examine your pet's hair coat frequently, you should be able to identify a concern and see your veterinarian for treatment before a major problem develops.
Mites are microscopic creatures that live deep within the animal's skin and ears. You cannot see most mites with the naked eye, but they can cause many irritating problems, including mange and ear infections. The most common presentation of an animal infected with mites is intense itchiness. You may also see hair loss, ear debris or discharge, and red, inflamed skin. Humans and other animals may pick up some types of mites; however, there are also mites that are not contagious. These non-contagious mites may indicate an underlying immune problem with your pet. Your veterinarian will need to identify and treat mite infestations.
Basic First Aid
A sick or injured animal is often in a frightened state, so if emergency first aid is necessary protect yourself (even if it's your own pet); cats can be handled with gloves or wrapped in a blanket - a dog can be muzzled. If there's any question of seriousness, follow up your first aid with advice from your veterinarian, whose listing should be kept handy with other emergency phone numbers. Of course, before an emergency ever arises, it's a good idea to learn all you can about first aid techniques and pet health care. Never leave dangerous objects like pins, needles, or fish hooks within reach. And be well aware of your pet's normal behavior, so you can recognize what's not normal. Remember that the objective is to relieve suffering . . . perhaps even to save a life. Emergency first aid is most effective when rendered quickly, but calmly.
Poisonings
Family pets (and all animals) risk all kinds of poisoning from all kinds of places. Snakes can poison; some plants can poison; and hundreds of poisonous materials are used around the home by people every day — things like pesticides, weed killers, lawn sprays, acids, fertilizers, paints . . . the list is endless.
Here's what you can do if your pet is poisoned:
Here's what you can do if your pet is poisoned:
- Keep the animal warm and quiet
- Try to determine what the poison was, when it was ingested, and the amount swallowed
- Immediately call your veterinarian or your nearest poison control center
- If you take the pet to your veterinarian, bring the container (or the label) with you.
