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MISCELLANEOUS FACTS TO KNOW

RINGWORM is contagious to people and other animals.
SARCOPTIC MANGE ("Scabies") is contagious to people and other animals.
DEMODECTIC MANGE ("Red Mange") is not contagious to people or other animals.
EAR MITES are contagious to other animals but NOT people.

MISMATING INJECTIONS. Injections to prevent pregnancy after a dog has been accidentally bred can be given up to 3-4 days after the breeding. We STRONGLY RECOMMEND SPAYING instead of a mismating injection due to later potential complications from the injection.
1. Uterus Infection
2. Cystic Ovaries
3. Cancer

FLEA CONTROL is a never-ending problem and involves treating the pet, house, and sometimes even the yard.

ALL DOGS should be on HEARTWORM PREVENTION.
Heartworm Prevention is now available for cats we recommend Revolution for cats.

All pets should be brought to the clinic the morning after delivering offspring for an injection to aid in contraction of the uterus to prevent infections.(clean-up shot) and conselsing about milk fever preventation, calcium and vitamin supplement for the bitch.

All cats should be vaccinated against FELINE LEUKEMIA & FIP.

TREMBLING in a female nursing offspring should be considered an EMERGENCY. It usually is a condition called "Eclampsia," caused by a low blood calcium level and can be fatal if not treated quickly. It starts as mild tremors and progressive to severe convulsions.

ORPHAN PUPPIES & KITTENS should be fed our COMMERCIAL brands of milk replacer to minimize vomiting and diarrhea. An EMERGENCY home formula to use until the owner can get in to get the milk replacer is:

1 Egg Yolk + 8 oz. 2% milk.

Eyes open at 2 weeks of age. Dr Harrell recommends deworming at 3 weeks of age.

Wean puppies and kittens at 5-6 weeks of age. Start offering Gerber High Protein Cereal mixed with ½ water and ½ 2% milk (or our milk replacer) when the eyes open. We blend and feed puppy foods starting at 4 weeks of age.

Start puppy and kitten vaccinations at 6 weeks of age or earlier if weaned earlier.

FERRETS need the same vaccinations as dogs. They are very susceptible to CANINE DISTEMPER which is always fatal.

Pets do NOT get PINWORMS. Horses do.

Breeding dogs will separate NATURALLY when breeding is completed - leave them alone. A "tie" is NOT NECESSARY for pregnancy to occur.

Pets that have eaten RAT POSION should be brought to the clinic immediately. Tell the client to induce vomiting by forcing 1-2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide by mouth or 1/2 teaspoon table salt-then come to the clinic. Bring the vomitus, as well as the poison package if possible to help us identify the proper antidote. Most rat poisons kill the pet by preventing the blood from clotting causing internal bleeding.

TOXOPLASMOSIS. Pregnant women should NOT empty cat litter pans. The litter box should be emptied EVERY DAY to prevent any possibility of toxoplasmosis which can lead to birth defects in newborn children. For infection to occur, the organism must have incubated in the litter box for at least 2 days-therefore emptying the box daily easily prevents the problem.

PET TEETH CLEANING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN HUMANS BECAUSE:

1. Infection is usually present.
2. Sedation and/or anesthesia must be used.
3. Usually not done until the gums are really in bad shape.