Fleas and Ticks

They’re here! These pesky parasites can cause a variety of problems in your pet. Fleas can cause itching, hair loss, and skin infections. Ticks are capable of transmitting disease and causing tick paralysis. It is important to control these parasites through appropriate flea and tick pet control products and also through environmental control. An adult flea comprises only 5% of the total flea population--eggs, larvae, and pupae complete the flea family and they are living in your house and yard! Katy Vet Clinic has the solution to your flea and tick problem! Contact us to help you chose the best available product for your special pet.

Heartworms

Heartworm disease is endemic in our living area along the Gulf Coast region. This serious and deadly disease can affect both dogs and cats! Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and although they can be contracted any month of the year, the risk of heartworm disease is heightened in the warmer months. Heartworms can cause damage to the heart and lungs. The American Heartworm Association recommends year-round preventative for both dogs and cats. Ask us which preventative is the best one for your pet!

Canine Parvovirus

Parvo is one of the most common life-threatening viral diseases that we see in puppies and adolescent dogs. Signs of parvo include vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and lethargy. It is very important to have your dog vaccinated against this deadly disease. We begin vaccinations for puppies between 6 and 8 weeks of age and continue to booster your pet every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Keep your puppy healthy through an appropriate vaccine schedule tailored for your pet!

Overheating

The weather outside is heating up! Protect your pet from the hazards of hot weather. It is no longer acceptable to leave your pet in the car--even for a few minutes! It may seem pleasantly warm to us, but the inside of a car can heat up quickly and increase the risk of heatstroke in your pet. Also, pets can overheat when exercising! Limit exercise to the cooler part of the day and watch for signs of distress--glassy eyes and frantic panting. Some pets are less tolerant of the heat--older pets, overweight pets, and short-nosed pets. Make sure your pet always has access to plenty of water!

Internet Information

The age of the Internet! The popularity of the Internet has skyrocketed and there is plenty of health-related information available. Although the information can be valuable, there is also some that can be false and misleading. Check who runs and funds the web site as well as how current the information is before trusting the information you receive. The most reliable Internet site that we recommend is www.veterinarypartner.com. The information on this web site is accurate and written in a user friendly manner. Contact Katy Vet Clinic if you have any questions or concerns about information you find on the Internet.