Manhasset Animal
Hospital
Dogs, Cats, Birds, Reptiles, Exotic Pets
Fleas Are A Danger To Your Pet
Fleas aren’t just a nuisance for you and your pet; these pests can cause the following medical problems:
Tapeworms-If your pet eats a flea, which is likely during self-grooming, your pet could become infected with the immature tapeworms fleas can carry. These long, flat worm parasites attach to the wall of your pet’s intestine and feed there.
One sure sign of tapeworms is the “white rice” you may find on your pets coat underneath the tail. These are tapeworm segments, and they can also be found on your pet’s bedding. If you see them, take your pet to your veterinarian to get rid of these pests.
Allergy-Fleas are the No. 1 cause of allergies in dogs and cats. As fleas bite to eat, they inject saliva under your pet’s skin, an irritation that can lead to miserable scratching, hair loss, and infection. If your pet scratches or licks excessively, see us for help.
Infection-Pets suffering from flea bites can develop dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin setting up an environment that can lead to infections. Antibiotics and shampoo therapy can rid your pet of this problem, but if left untreated, the infection may spread and your pet will become more uncomfortable.
Anemia-Fleas get their nutrition by ingesting pets’ blood, and in large numbers they can consume so much that a puppy, kitten, or a small pet can die as a result of blood loss. It’s especially important to keep young and old pets flea free.
THE
Your pet isn’t the only one at risk: People can get irritating flea bites, too. Ridding your home and yard of these pests takes time, several steps, and a strong commitment to success. Here’s the battle plan:
Shampoo your pet-For many pet owners, the easiest option is to bring your pet in for a shampoo. If you decide to bathe your pet at home, check with us about the safest and most effective products to use. Remember, a clean, flea-free pet is a good first step, but you can’t stop there!
Keep fleas away with Frontline-After your pet is washed free of existing fleas and debris, it’s time to apply Frontline, a revolutionary, easy-to-use product that will eliminate 98 to 100 percent of fleas on your pet within 24 hours of application. Unlike other insecticides, Frontline only affects fleas-it’s not toxic to you, your children, your pet, or such beneficial insects as ladybugs-and it’s safe enough to use on puppies 7 weeks and older and kittens 8 weeks and older.
Take back your house-You can’t conquer a flea problem by treating only your pets-it is best to also treat your house. Fleas can live for months without food, and every female flea Conquer your yard-Use professional, concentrated yard sprays, many of which attach easily to the end of a garden hose, but make sure you follow the label guidelines to keep pets and children safe. It’s especially important to spray moist and shaded areas of your yard. Spray doghouses and kennels with an indoor premise spray, and allow all areas to dry before allowing your pet access to them. Fleas are tough! Be sure to start these procedures simultaneously and treat all of your pets-the best time is now! Did you know? Fleas can jump 150 times their body length, and some species can leap up to 36 inches high. That’s equivalent to a 5-foot-10-inch man jumping over the 555-foot Female fleas consume 15 times their weight in blood each day. That’s like a 140-pound women eating 8,400 hamburgers. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
can lay several thousand eggs, which can survive for years in carpeted areas, wood floors, and furniture until it’s time to hatch and reinfest your pet and your home.
Why Spay Or Neuter Your Pet?
Spaying or neutering helps your pet live a longer, healthier life; minimizes behavior problems; and helps control the population of unwanted pets. Here’s how:
Health- Neutering male pets decreases their chances of developing prostatic enlargement and disease and eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. Spaying female pets eliminates the risk of pyometra, a life-threatening infection of the uterus. If your pet is spayed before her first heat cycle, her chances of developing breast cancer drop dramatically as well.
Behavior- Behavior problems are the primary reason pet owners take their pets to shelters, and pets that haven’t been spayed or neutered are more likely to exhibit undesirable behaviors. For example, female cats can be very disruptive and vocal during their heat cycle, and male pets may roam, mark, sexually mount, and become aggressive. By neutering your puppy or kitten at six months or younger, you’ve taken the first step toward preventing aggression. The first step is puppy socialization training. Ask your veterinary team for more information on puppy training.
Birth Control- The drive to reproduce is strong in dogs and cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered and can lead to unwanted reproduction. By spaying or neutering your pet when you have decided not to raise puppies or kittens (a very big job), you can do your part to limit the chances of pet overpopulation-and avoid dealing with a surprise pregnancy.
Keeping Surgery Safe
Even though there is some risk with any anesthetic procedure or surgery, at the
Complete Examinations- We’ll examine your pet nose to tail before surgery, upon recovering from anesthesia, and two weeks after the operation to be sure your pet is in good health before going into the procedure and healing properly afterward.
Comprehensive laboratory analysis- Our lab analysis includes an internal organ function screen and a complete blood count, which help us find any pre-existing conditions that could cause complications during anesthesia, surgery, or recovery.
General anesthesia- We use the newest anesthetic agents approved for veterinary care. They provide your pet with the safest anesthesia that leads to a shorter recovery.
Sterile instruments, drapes, and surgical gowns- Careful attention to sterility limits the possibility of infection during the procedure.
Continual cardiac and blood oxygen monitoring- During surgery and recovery, these monitoring devices help detect potential problems before they become serious.
Intravenous catheter- An intravenous catheter allows safe, easy administration of any necessary medications or fluids.
Intravenous fluid therapy- Intravenous fluid therapy helps ensure your pet’d blood pressure remains within its normal range during anesthesia.
Antibiotic injection- We offer this additional safety measure to prevent infection.
Pain injection- Pain treatment speeds recovery and keeps your pet as comfortable as possible during this stressful time.
Avoiding risk factors-We recommend spaying or neutering at six months of age because pets that are older, in heat, pregnant, or overweight are at a higher risk.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 12,500 puppies are born in the
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YOUR DOG’S HEALTH
Preventative Care
Good preventative care begins with careful attention to the basics:
Nutrition- A healthy, nutritious diet builds a foundation for well-being and disease prevention throughout your pet’s life. As a dog ages, their nutritional needs change; for example, a puppy needs a diet high in calories and protein to maintain its active lifestyle and to grow healthy bones and muscles. An older dog may need a diet restricted in calories and supplemented with fiber for optimum weight and gastrointestinal health.
Nutritional counseling is a vital component of your pet’s healthcare, and we can help you decide which food is best for your pet during each stage of life.
Vaccinations- Vaccinations protect dogs from many viral and bacterial predators, including parvovirus, coronavirus, leptospirosis, adenovirus, parainfluenzavirus, and distemper. These organisms cause a wide range of disease symptoms, from sneezing to bloody diarrhea and death.
Just like a child, your puppy needs to be protected at an early age and given boosters as an adult. The
Parasite Control- Many types of worms can affect your pet, and some can be contagious to you and your family. Worms attach to the intestinal lining, causing painful diarrhea or life-threatening conditions. They also compete for your pet’s nutrients, stunting growth and depriving your pet of energy. Worms live inside your pet, so it may not be obvious that your pet is suffering from infestation.
Giardia is one of these microscopic parasites that can invade your pet’s digestive system. Left untreated, the infection may cause your pet to become increasingly debilitated and susceptible to other infections. There is a risk it is transmitted between pets and humans, making you subject to the same threats as your pets.
Along with vaccinations, routine de-worming, and fecal checks, providing your puppy with a heartworm preventative will decrease the likelihood that your pet will be infected with a blood worm that can cause fatal heartworm disease. To ensure that no infection has occurred, we recommend testing your pets’ blood for heartworm every year. We’ll also help you with parasites that attack your pet from the outside, like fleas, ticks, and mites.
Surgery- During your dog’s life, you’ll make many important healthcare decisions. One of the best choices you can make is to spay or neuter your dog. Scheduling this important surgery early in your pet’s life helps prevent many future problems, among them cancer of the reproductive organs; such as behavior problems as fighting, roaming, and marking; and pet overpopulation.
Spays and neuters are routine and generally safe, but they are major surgeries that require general anesthesia and an all-day or overnight stay. Spays and neuters are usually preformed when the pet is 4 to 6 months old. Your veterinarian will discuss all surgical options with you and help you pick the right time for your pet.
ROUTINE CHECK-UPS
Think about the regular care you receive throughout your lifetime from pediatricians, dentists, physicians, allergists, ophthalmologists, and so on. Why settle for anything less for your pet? Now think about the fact that pets age an average of seven years for every one of ours- and it’s clear why regular care is so critical.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lyndon Johnson’s First Family all had initials LBJ: Lyndon Baines Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson, Linda Bird Johnson, and Lucy Baines Johnson. The president’s dog, Little Beagle Johnson, also shared this family trait.
According to a recent pet owner survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, dogs are indeed man’s best friend:
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FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS
Is My Cat At Risk?
FIV can be spread through the placenta before birth, through the mother’s milk, or from an infected cat, usually through bite wounds or breeding. Keeping your cat indoors and away from infected cats is the best way to avoid the risk of FIV infection. Keeping your pet indoors also minimizes the chances that your cat will get in fights, be exposed to other viruses, or get hit by a car. Cats that go outside only occasionally may actually be at a higher risk then those that go out more frequently. Also take these steps to help your cat avoid infection:
Spay or Neutering. When you do not want to raise kittens, spaying or neutering helps your pet avoid many health problems, minimizes roaming and other behavior problems, and curbs your cats’ sex drive.
Testing- Make sure all new feline additions to your family are tested for FIV and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. Any cat that goes outside at all or lives with other cats that go outside should be tested yearly. Please discuss with your veterinarian that standard FIV tests check for the presence of antibodies, and cannot differentiate FIV vaccinated cats from naturally infected cats. Both vaccinated and naturally infected cats produce antibodies to FIV viral proteins and will test positive on most currently available tests.
Routine Health Checks-We tailor every wellness plan to cover the specific needs of the pet, and the plans include nutrition, vaccines, and other benefits. Ask any team member for more details.
What To Look For-You generally don’t notice anything until your pet has been infected for some time. When the virus has taken over, the general symptoms of FIV can resemble other diseases, but certain persistent or recurring problems are warning flags. Make an appointment for your cat right away if you notice any of these signs:
Weight Loss
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Recurrent Sneezing
Dental Disease or Bad Breath
Diarrhea
Unhealthy Coat
Veterinary Care-We recommend testing for FIV when cats are ill. Additional blood work may also be necessary to determine the health status of a sick pet.
Please discuss with our veterinarian if it is appropriate to vaccinate your cat against FIV. Unfortunately, there is no cure for FIV infection. Keeping your cat healthy requires all-around good preventative care, if your pet does contract the disease, it must be kept indoors away from non-infected cats. But with proper care it can live a long, relatively healthy life.
Your Pet’s Overall Health-Early detection of health problems usually prevents unnecessary pain and expense-or worse. Use this checklist every week, and remember that the
DID YOU KNOW?
Feline Immunodeficiency virus was first discovered in a
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Keeping your bird healthy
Preventative Care
An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure for our feathered friends, and it begins with careful attention to the basics:
Feeding-Make sure that fresh water and a nutritionally balanced food are always available and changed regularly. Offer seeds only as an occasional treat, not as the primary component of your bird’s diet. In some species the high fat and insufficient vitamin content in seeds can lead to obesity and other medical problems. We can recommend an appropriate food for your bird.
Handling-A nervous bird in a stressful situation can be very fragile. In fact, a bird not used to being handled can suddenly die during an attempt to catch it, That’s why it’s so important that family and friends handle the bird regularly and that your pet experience frequent, positive interaction with people.
Housing-The best environment for your bird is a large, clean cage with perches at several heights. Keep the cage clean in a draft-free area, and maintain a room temperature of 68 to 75 degrees F. Be sure to clean the cage every day, and don’t forget toys! Birds love them. Just be sure to use are appropriate for the size and type of the bird that you have.
Light- Just like people, birds like plenty of light during the day and a dark environment at night. If you can’t turn out the lights at bedtime, cover your bird’s cage with a lightweight blanket or sheet.
Exercise-For optimum health, birds need daily exercise and handling outside of the cage. To keep your pet out of harm’s way, ask a qualified person to clip your bird’s wings after each molt, which occurs one or two times each year.
Trimming the flight feathers doesn’t harm your pet, and it does prevent escape. Caution: Don’t try this on your own! Trimming the feathers too short can result in bleeding and pain. If your bird had a broken or bleeding feather, you can try to stop the bleeding by applying cornstarch to the broken end or filling the shaft with bar soap. It’s important to stop the bleeding right away, so call the
Protection-Keep your bird away from common household hazards: ceiling fans, other pets, and toxic plants. To protect your bird’s extremely sensitive respiratory system, always keep your pet in a well ventilated, draft-free area, away from cigarette smoke and kitchen fumes.
Regular Healthcare- In the wild, Birds instinctively hide signs od sickness to avoid being easy prey for other animals-and they hide such symptoms at home as well. That’s why you need an eagle eye when it comes to your bird’s health, and why your bird needs an annual visit to the
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR BIRD
As you get to know your pet’s personality and routines, your attachment will grow-and so will your ability to spot potential problems. Watch for changes in your bird’s posture, play activity, and appetite.
Also check your bird’s dropping daily to be sure the consistency and frequency is regular. Bird droppings have a brown or black center (the feces) and a surrounding creamy white liquid, composed of urates, or kidney waste. Any changes in the consistency or color of the droppings may be a cause for concern.
Other signs that may indicate illness:
Not eating/weight loss
Chewing feathers/baldness
Not perching; spending a lot of time on the cage floor
Swollen eyes
Discharge from the beak, eyes, or nostrils
Overgrown beak and nails
Lameness or foot sores
Labored or fast breathing
Ruffled feathers or being “buffed up”
Sneezing
Scaly skin
Lumps or bumps on the skin
Any body swelling
Remember, you know your pet best! If you notice any changes that worry you, feel free to call and ask questions or schedule an appointment. It’s always better to be safe then sorry.
DID YOU KNOW?
Parrots-the most popular of all talking birds-rarely acquire a vocabulary of more then 20 words. The chatty Timneh African Greys, however, have been known to speak more then 100 words.
Ever wonder where the phrase “eagle eye” came from? Unlike people, birds can see everything at once in complete focus, the human eye is globular and must adjust to varying distances, but a bird’s eye is flat and can take in the tiniest details in a single glance.
Veterinary Care-Whether you’re bringing your bird to the
It’s also a good idea to bring in a fresh sample of the droppings, which is easy if you bring your pet in the cage; the veterinarian can examine your pet’s droppings for any abnormalities and do in-house testing if necessary.
During your visit, your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your bird and make medical recommendations. Occasionally, diagnostic tests and X-rays are necessary,
Your pet bird’s health is dependent on good care-both at home and at
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