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BASIC CLINIC FACTS

IMMUNIZATIONS: (Start at six weeks of age.)
We do vaccinate pregnant animals.

1. RABIES: Required by law at three months of age. Annual Boosters required.

2. DOGS:

(a) Puppy series include 3-5 injections in initial series.
(b) Start vaccinations as soon as weaned (six weeks of age).
(c) Annual boosters required after initial series.
(d) Vaccines include: Distemper, Hepatitis, Lepto, Parainfluenza, Bordatella(kennel cough) ParvoVirus, CoronaVirus, Rabies.

CANINE DISTEMPER:
(a) Viral disease, highly contagious.
(b) Signs - nasal or eye discharge, cough, no appetite.
(c) Takes 4-6 weeks to run its course.
(d) May develop nervous system signs (convulsions, twitches).
(e) Treatment not successful in late stages.
(f) Wait thirty days before getting another dog if diagnosed.
(g) Disinfect with Clorox (4 oz./gallon water).

PARVOVIRUS:
(a) Viral disease, highly contagious.
(b) Spread through feces of infected dog.
(c) Signs - vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, dehydration.
(d) Prognosis depends somewhat on age of pup-the younger it is, the more severe the disease
(e) IV fluids often required for several days to recover.
(f) Treat as outpatients - don't hospitalize when possible.
(g) Give all other dogs boosters if over six months since vaccination.
(h) Disinfect with Clorox (4 oz./gallon water).

CORONA VIRUS:
(a) Viral disease, highly contagious
(b) Intestinal infection resulting in diarrhea, vomiting, and depression.
(c) Spread through feces of infected dog
(d) Treatment same as ParvoVirus

BORDETELLA:
(a) Known as "tracheobronchitis"
(b) One of the major causes of a persistent, dry, hacking cough
(c) Highly contagious
(d) May last 4-6 weeks
(e) Often called "Kennel Cough"
(f) There are also many other causes of canine cough ("kennel cough")-but this
is the only one we can vaccinate against.

3. CATS:

(a) Start vaccines at 6-8 weeks of age. Vaccinate for Feline Enteritis (Distemper),
Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, and Pneumonitis. Feline Leukemia and FIP Vaccines are also highly recommended for ALL cats.

FVRCP:
(a) Series of 2-3 injections and then annual boosters.
(b) May have virus in body for several years before sick. Often flares up when stressed
by other diseases.
(c) May destroy body's immune system ("AIDS").
(d) Vaccine; give first injection, next in 2-3 weeks, then once a year.
(e) Includes several diseases: Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, Chlamydia,
and Feline Distemper ("Panleukopenia").

FELINE LEUKEMIA & FIP: See Specific Information On These Diseases

4. FERRETS:
Vaccinate for Rabies and Canine Distemper.

REPRODUCTIVE:

1. SPAY:

(a) Best to do before first estrus ("heat") (about six months of age.)
(b) We will spay anytime - slight extra charges if "in heat" or pregnant.
(c) No food after 12:00 p.m. night before surgery, do NOT restrict water.
(d) Surgery performed Monday-Friday.
(e) Same day surgeries go home that afternoon after surgery in morning.
Best care spay package includes IV fluids, pain meds, overnight stay on fluffy towel
(f) Do not feed until morning after surgery to prevent vomiting.
(g) Sutures out in ten days at no extra charge.
(h) Can stay night after surgery at no extra charge if client desires.
(i) If spayed in heat - keep away from male dogs for one week.
(j) Nursing bitch - prefer to spay one week after pups weaned (milk dries up).
(k) Does not cause animal to become fat or lazy.

2. MALE NEUTERING:

(a) Does not cause it to become fat or lazy.
(b) Suggested in dogs to prevent later tumors and prostate problems.
(c) Cats - will usually stop fighting, spraying, and urine odor.
(d) Do anytime after six months of age in both dog and cat.
(e) Dogs - sutures out ten days; Cats - sutures dissolve.

3. DOG PREGNANCY:

(a) Lasts 60-65 days. (63 days average.)
(b) Do not breed on first heat.
(c) Do not breed after 6-7 years of age.
(d) Do not recommend breeding toy breeds, except for breeders.
(e) Usually large dog breeds have large litters (6-12 pups) and smaller breeds have smaller litters (1-6 puppies).

4. DOG ESTRUS ("HEAT")

(a) Lasts usually three weeks.
(b) Return to estrus every 6-12 months.
(c) Begins at 8-12 months of age.May be 15-16months large breeds
(d) Breed usually during second week (day 9-12 usually best).

1. Start trying to breed on Day 7 and continue until does.
2. Then breed every other day as long as will breed.

5. LABOR and DELIVERY:

(a) Signs - restlessness, makes "bed", clear vaginal discharge.
(b) Tremors may indicate low blood calcium-bring to clinic.
(c) Needs to be checked if: vaginal discharge other than clear; straining over two hours without delivering; the morning after delivery.
(d) "Colostrum:" The "first milk." It is full of "antibodies" which helps the newborn pet be more resistant to disease until it is old enough for its immune system to work properly.

6. CAT ESTRUS ("HEAT"):

(a) Begins at 8-12 months of age.
(b) Signs - weird acting, rolling, tail up, strange meow.
(c) Continually comes into heat until bred. Act of copulation causes eggs to be released.
(d) Pregnancy times similar to dogs (60-63 days).

PARASITES:

1. "WORMS"

(a) Yard contamination with eggs,children play outside can become infested.
(b) Advise routine fecal exam every 6-12 months.
(c) Start deworming pups at three weeks of age.
(d) Pups can be born with worms or become infected from bitch at birth.
(e) Dogs and cats do NOT have Pinworms but may see other type worms in feces!
(f) Types:

1. Roundworms

(a) Also called "Ascarids".
(b) Long, round, look like spaghetti, often curl up.
(c) Seen primarily in young animals.

2. Hookworms

(a) 1/4 the size of the head of a pin.
(b) Suck blood-causing anemia.
(c) Can cause bloody diarrhea.
(d) May kill young pups.

3. Tapeworms

(a) Short, flat segments ("rice", "cucumber seeds").
(b) Get primarily from eating fleas.
(c) Possible to get from eating birds, rabbits, rodents, etc.
(d) Requires special type of medication for this parasite.
(e) Must find segments in stool to diagnose. Eggs usually not found on fecal exam.

4. Heartworms

(a) Spread by mosquito.
(b) Takes 6 months to find in blood after mosquito bite.
(c) Start prevention at 2 months of age.
(d) Causes death from heart failure.
(e) Signs - coughing, weight loss, tiring on exercise.
(f) Test once a year, even if on preventive.(Heartgard guarantee !!)

2. EXTERNAL PARASITES:

Fleas

(a) 90% of life cycle is OFF the pet.
(b) Major flea control involves treating house and yard.
(c) See flea control handout.

Ticks

(a) Best control is spraying yard.
(b) Dips will kill, but won't prevent ticks from getting on your dog.
(c) Pull off when found on dog - won't damage skin (buried heads will eventually work out by themselves).

Mange

(a) Many types, must bring to clinic for skin scraping diagnosis.
(b) Sarcoptic Mange - contagious to other animals and people.
(c) Demodectic Mange ("Red Mange") - not contagious to humans.

EAR INFECTIONS:

1. Should be brought to clinic for diagnosis.
2. May be ear mites, bacterial, fungal, yeast.
3. We use videoscope to diagnose and show clients the problem.
4. We perform cytology, ear swab stained and checked under microscope for cause.

1. ANESTHESIA:

(a) We use the safest available.
(b) Same as used in human surgery.
(c) There is always some small risk involved, but it is minimal.
(d) Client required to sign Release Form.

2. DECLAWING:

(a) Do front feet only.
(b) Stay one or two nights at clinic.
(c) Can do at any age, but best done at 3-4 months of age.
(d) Can neuter and declaw at same time.
(e) Sutures dissolve.
(f) Use shredded newspaper in litter box for a few days.
(g) Can still fight (fight with back legs primarily).
(h) Can still climb trees.
(i) Recommended for all cats that stay inside over 50% of the time.

3. SPAY:

(a) Best to do before first estrus ("heat")(about 5-6 months of age).
(b) We will spay anytime - slight extra charge if "in heat" or pregnant.
(c) No food after 8:00 p.m. the night before surgery.
(d) Surgery done Monday-Fridays.
(e) Same day surgery go home the afternoon after surgery in the morning.
Best care spay package includes overnight, pain meds, sleep here on fluffy towel and rest the first night gives best results.
(f) Do not feed until morning after surgery to prevent vomiting.
(g) Sutures out in ten days at no charge.
(h) Keep away from males for one week if spayed while in heat.
(i) Nursing bitch - prefer to wait one week after weaning pups so milk dries up.
(j) Does not cause animal to become fat or lazy.
(k) Charge varies with weight, if in heat, or pregnant.

4. NEUTER:

(a) Does not cause animal to become fat or lazy.
(b) Suggested in dogs to prevent later tumors and prostate problems.
(c) Cats will usually stop fighting, spraying, and urine odor.
(d) Do anytime after five months of age in dogs and cats.
(e) Dogs - sutures out in ten days; cats - sutures dissolve.

6. MISCELLANEOUS:

(a) We recommend the Best Care packages which includes blood work, IV fluids, pain medicine(morphine) special monitoring and overnight sleep over in clinic on fluffy towel. We also offer a lower cost same day surgery.
(b) Do not feed after 12:00 p.m. night before surgery. (Water - OK)
(c) Do not feed until day after surgery.
(d) Sutures out in 10-14 days - no charge (unless animal must be sedated).
(e) Deposits required on emergency surgery ($200).

6. TAIL DOCKING:

(a) Recommended age - 2-5 days.
(b) Declaws are routinely removed at the same time.
(c) Tails are sutured; dewclaws are "cauterized" chemically

DENTISTRY

Baby (Deciduous) Teeth Erupt At 2-4 Weeks Of Age
2 Months Of Age - All Baby Teeth Present
4 Months Of Age - First Adult Teeth Erupt (Upper Front Incisors)
7 Months Of Age - All Adult Teeth Usually Present