Canine Health

We recommend beginning vaccines at 6 weeks of age. These vaccines need to be boostered every 3 weeks until your puppy is 12 weeks of age. A rabies vaccine will also be given at 12 weeks of age. Your puppy also needs to be protected from heartworms as soon as possible. Heartgard will be given to your puppy, and we recommend that your puppy stay on heartworm preventative year round in the Las Cruces area. Heartgard is a chewable tablet given once a month. Once your pet has been fully vaccinated, we recommend spaying or neutering your puppy anytime two weeks after the last set of vaccines. Many studies indicate that the chance of mammary cancer in females is significantly decreased the earlier you spay your pet.

Annual physical exams are very important to your pets overall health. Pets age at much faster rate than humans, therefore developing diseases at a faster rate. Some diseases can be picked up by our veterinarians on physical exam, or may require further diagnostic work. The sooner a disease is diagnosed, the better the prognosis for your pet. A vaccine protocol will be developed for your pet following a yearly exam. If your pet has developed dental disease since the last physical exam, we recommend a dental. Please visit our section on dental disease.

A pet is considered a senior animal when it reaches 7 years of age. This is approximately 45 years in human years! (See our chart on aging!) We recommend an annual physical exam, a general health blood profile, a urinalysis, an ECG, and a blood pressure check each year. These lab tests can detect changes in your pets health before they "appear" to be declining in health. Once again, early detection can lead to a better prognosis for your pet. Please ask our staff for more information about our Senior Wellness Plans.

VACCINES ARE MADE TO BE SAFE. OCCASIONALLY, THERE WILL BE SIDE AFFECTS. IF YOUR DOG HAS VOMITING, DIARRHEA, FACIAL SWELLING, HIVES OR A SKIN REACTION, PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY.

Any pet can escape or get lost, Unfortunately, some are even stolen. Home Again is an advanced pet recovery system that can save your dogs life. A tiny, easily injected microchip identifies your pets for life, plus a nationwide recovery program managed by the American Kennel Club speeds up your pets return. The microchip has a unique identification code that can be read with a hand held scanner. Scanners have been placed with animal shelters and veterinarians nationwide. Once your pet has been scanned, an ID code is called into the AKC database, and you will be contacted immediately. Call our office to schedule you appointment to have your pet implanted today!

Distemper (CDV): A widespread and often fatal disease which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia and neurological problems. The disease is transmitted by aerosol droplets from all body excretions of infected animals.

Parvovirus (CPV): A highly contagious and potentially fatal disease which may cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea. It is especially dangerous in young dogs, but all unvaccinated dogs are at risk of contracting this severe disease. The disease is transmitted by contact with contaminated feces and vomit. Insects and rodents can be vectors of the disease.

Kennel Cough: An extremely contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by a persistent dry hacking cough. The infection is transmitted by aerosol droplets. Contributing infections include adenovirus (CAV-2), distemper (CDV), and the bacteria Bordatella bronchiseptica.

Corona Virus: A contagious viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract which causes vomiting and diarrhea.

Hepatitis: A viral disease that targets the liver. When infected, adult dogs may recover, however, it is often fatal in puppies.

Lyme Disease: A disease transmitted by ticks which infects both humans and animals. The disease can affect the joints, kidney's and other tissues. This disease is common in the South and Easter United States.

Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that may lead to permanent kidney and liver damage. It is contagious to humans and is spread through contact with infected urine or contaminated soil or water.

Rabies: A fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals, including humans. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Routine vaccination is the key to controlling this deadly disease.

Please visit the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/healthypets/ for more information.

Heartworms are parasites that inhibit the hearts and lungs of infected dogs and cats. Heartworm disease can cause serious health problems, and may eventually lead to death. Heartworm infection is transmitted by mosquitoes. The prevalence of this disease has increased steadily since it was first identified. Heartworm

disease is 100% preventable! The American Heartworm Society recommends testing for has not been on preventative and is over 6 months of age, a test is recommended prior to putting your pet on preventative. A blood sample is all that is required, and the test is run in house. We have the results in about 10 minutes! We recommend year round Heartworm prevention in our area. Heartgard is given once a month for the entire life of your pet. Heartgard also treats and controls intestinal parasites. Revolution is also available to prevent heartworm disease, and is applied once a month onto the skin, between the shoulder blades. If your pet has heartworm disease, we should treat your pet immediately. The longer the worms stay in the heart and lungs of your pet, the more damage will occur. Heartworm treatment can be dangerous and expensive depending on the worm burden. Please call our staff with any questions. Please visit the American Society of Heartworms Webpage at www.heartwormsociety.org for more information

Watch out for signs of these parasites that are particularly prevalent in the warmer months. Please feel free to discuss any preventative available with us. We want to make sure the product you are using is safe for you and your pet. If your pet becomes infested with either fleas or ticks, you need to treat both your pet and the environment. If you notice a flea problem in your home, dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag after each use.

Ticks can transmit a variety of diseases, some of which may be dangerous for you. Lyme disease is often seen in the South and Eastern part of the United States. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is also carried by ticks, and may be transmitted to you. Erhlichia, which can not be transmitted to humans, causes your pet to become anemic. This disease is being diagnosed more frequently in the Southwest area.

We recommend Frontline Plus for our clients. This product is the safest product on the market, and can not be ingested in large enough quantities to be toxic. Fipronil (the active ingrediant) is used on rice crops around the world. Simply apply Frontline on your pet between the shoulder blades once a month, and your pet will be flea and tick free for 30 days. Revolution is also available to prevent fleas and ticks (as as well as heartworm disease). Just as Frontline, apply the product to the skin between the shoulder blades monthly!

If your dog could talk, being his best friend would be a lot easier. But he can't tell you that his knees stiffen up after he plays too long – or that his hips hurt when he goes up or down stairs. He's counting on you to recognize signs of pain and decreased mobility.

To provide the best care for your best friend, take a few minutes to learn the facts, the signs and how your dog can find relief from painful arthritis. If your dog could talk, he'd thank you for it.

Arthritis is a painful, degenerative joint disease that affects one in five adult dogs – or more than 8 million dogs in the United States . Arthritis is even more common among older dogs. Unfortunately, many of the cases go undiagnosed because owners attribute the subtle changes in their dogs to "old age" or "slowing down."

If your dog has arthritis, pain relief is possible with Rimadyl^® (carprofen). Rimadyl for dogs has been proven clinically effective for the relief of signs of pain associated with arthritis. Already, Rimadyl has helped more than 4 million dogs find relief from the pain of arthritis. And without pain, your pet can move freely and happily again.

Pet Health Insurance:

Insurance is available to help with cost associated with veterinary care. Please visit http://www.petsbest.com for more information!

Plants are often sprayed with insecticides and treated with fertilizers. These products may mask or alter the adverse clinic signs observed in animals exposed to a hazardous plant. Even non-toxic plant material may cause physical irritation to the gastrointestinal system with mild stomach upset. The following is a list of potentially hazardous plants, and is in no way complete, however, it does represent the most common kept plants.

Aloe Vera, Amaryllis, Andromeda japonica, Apple (seeds and wilting leaves), Apple Leaf Croton, Avocado (fruit and pit), Azalea, Baby's Breath, Bird of Paradise, Birdnest sansovioria, Bittersweet, Branching Ivy, Buckeye, Buddhist Pine, Caladium, Calla Lily, Carnation, Castor Bean, Ceriman, Cherry (seeds and wilting leaves), Chinaberry Tree, Chinese Evergreen, Christmas Cactus, Christmas Rose, Chrysanthemum, Cineraria, Clematis, Coleus, Cordatum, Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Croton, Cuban Laurel, Cucads, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Daisy, Day Lily, Dracaena, Dragon Tree, Dumb Cane, Easter Lily, Elaine, Elephant Ears, Emerald Feather, English Ivy, Fiddle-leaf Fig, Flamingo Plant, Florida Beauty, Foxglove, Geranium, German Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Glory Lily, Golden Pothos, Hahn's Self-Branching English Ivy, Heavenly Bamboo, Hibiscus, Holly, Hosta, Hurricane Plant, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Indian Laurel, Indian Rubber Plant, iris, Japanese Show Lily, Jade Plants, Jerusalem Cherry, Kalanchoe, Lily of the Valley, Macadamia Nut, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Marble Queen, Marijuana, Mexican Breadfruit, Miniature Croton, Mistletoe, Morning Glory, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Narcissus, Needlepoint Ivy, Nephthytis, Nightshade, Norfolk Pine, Oleander, Onion, Oriental Lily, Peace Lily, Peach (wilting leaves and pits), Pencil Cactus, Philodendron, Plum (wilting leaves and pits), Plumosa Fern, Poinsettia, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Pothos, Precatory Bean, Primrose, Red Emerald, Red Lily, Red Princess, Rhododendron, Ribbon Plant, Rubrum Lily, Sago Palm, Satin Pothos, Schefflera, Silver Pothos, Stargazer Lily, String of Pearls/Beads, Sweet Pea, Sweetheart Ivy, Swiss Cheese Plant, Taro Vine, Tiger Lily, Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem, and leaves) Tulip, Variegated Rubber Plant, Wandering Jew, Weeping Fig, Western Lily, Wood Lily, Yesterday, TOday and Tomorrow, Yew, Yucca.

To obtain a more complete list of plants, both toxic and non-toxic, including their scientific names, write to the ASPCA NAPCC, 1717 S. Philo Road, Suite 36, Urbana, IL 61802.