Spaying and Neutering

I'm sure everyone knows to spay and neuter your pets because we've heard the message our whole lives. Even Bob Barker told us to "Help control the pet populations, have your pets spayed and neutered" at the end of every Price is Right show he hosted. Population control is a very important reason to have dogs and cats spayed and neutered, but there are other reasons as well. Having your dog spayed before her first heat cycle will pretty much guarantee that she will not get mammary cancer later in life.  Neutering dogs will prevent them from getting testicular cancer and also will greatly decrease their chances of having prostate problems. Neutering dogs and cats will keep them at home and not out chasing females in heat. Speaking of which, males can smell females in heat up to a mile away, and they will get out to find that female. We recommend to have your cats and dogs spayed and neutered between 5 and 6 months of age. It's the best thing for your pet!!!

German Shepherds

German Shepherds are a very strong breed of dog. They can be black and tan, solid white, or solid black in color. They have a slightly elongated back and most appear to be crouching down on their rear legs when walking. They have a long bushy tail that is held down when at rest. German Shepherds usually weigh between 70 and 85 pounds and their normal lifespan is around 13 years. German Shepherds can be predisposed to having hip dysplasia, inflammation of their corneas (keratitis), clotting disorders, and digestive problems. German Shepherds do shed and should be brushed once daily to minimize the shedding in your home. German Shepherds require exercise and do best when they have a fenced in back yard to run and play. This is a very loyal dog breed.

Don't Forget To Brush!!

Patient before having his teeth cleaned with tartar and heavy staining on his canine teeth, premolars, and molars

Patient after dental. Look at those pearly whites!!!

Dental disease is one of the major problems seen in veterinary medicine, both in dogs and in cats. Tartar can build up on the animal's teeth and harden to form plaque. Once the plaque reaches a certain point, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontal disease form. If left unchecked, periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the blood stream and cause heart, liver, and kidney problems. It is very important to have your pet's teeth examined by your veterinarian every 6-12 months. A dental can be performed on your dog or cat that involves ultrascaling and polishing just like at your dentist. Extractions may also be needed if there are any loose teeth or root exposure. The pet comes in the morning of the procedure (with no food or water past midnight the night before) and bloodwork is performed to make sure the pet is healthy enough to be put under anesthesia. If the bloodwork is normal, the patient is anesthetized and the teeth are scaled and polished. The pet wakes up a short time later and can go home late that same afternoon. If your pet's breath stinks or you notice a discoloration of the teeth or gums, have the teeth checked by your vet. Once the heavy tartar is removed during the procedure, owners can start brushing the pet's teeth at home. This is done using a toothpaste made specifically for pets and a small pet toothbrush. The teeth should be brushed at least 4 times a week to hopefully make a difference and prolong the time in between professional dentals.

There won't be a blog post Friday or Monday so have a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter!!!

What's A Combo Test?

When you take your new kitten or stray adult cat to the vet for the first time, they are going to ask if you want a combo test. A combo test is a snap style test that takes 8 minutes to run. It tests for the Feline Leukemia Virus and the Feline Aids Virus (FIV). Feline Leukemia Virus is an infectious disease that is spread through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, and feces from one cat to another. The virus can be spread from a mother cat to her kittens before birth or through the milk during nursing. Cat bite wounds are another important way the virus is spread. The Feline Leukemia Virus affects the cat's immune system and makes it difficult for it to fight off infections. So, these cats are more likely to be sickly and develop problems like upper respiratory infections. It can also cause cancer and certain blood disorders. Early on in the infection, leukemia positive cats may not show any clinical signs at all. As the virus progresses, these cats may have a loss of appetite, have an unkept haircoat, diarrhea, and eye problems. These cats usually do not live as long as cats without the virus. There is a vaccination to prevent this disease.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV or Feline Aids) is a disease that is spread through cat bites (saliva to blood). Not all FIV positive mother cats spread this disease to their kittens, but it is possible. Clinical signs of FIV are similar to the leukemia virus and can be nonspecific. There is a vaccine for FIV and all cats that go outdoors should be vaccinated. Once the cat is vaccinated, it will always show up positive for FIV on the snap test. So, it is very important to let the vet know if he/she has been previously vaccinated. It is also a good idea to have the cat microchipped and the online database with the cat's information will show that it has been vaccinated against FIV. This way, if the cat is ever picked up by someone and taken to a shelter or vet, it will be microchipped and they will know it has had the vaccine and doesn't have the actual virus.

Free To A Good Home

This sweet black lab was found by a loving family who unfortunately can't keep him. He is about a year old, up to date on vaccines, and house trained. If anyone is interested, please contact Gary at  229-344-1845.

Boxers

Boxers are a wonderful dog breed!! They are originally from Germany and get their name from the way they throw their front legs out like they are boxing. They are extremely muscular, very loyal, and super cute. Boxers are very loyal dogs and are known for how well they interact with kids. They come in fawn, brindle, tan, and black with white markings. Boxers can also be white, but most of these are deaf. The tails are usually docked by the breeder at three days of age to a short nub. The ears are naturally floppy, but some prefer to have them cropped and trained to stand up. Boxers normally weigh between 50 and 70 pounds, with males usually weighing more than females. Some health problems associated with boxers include heart problems, thyroid disease, and skin issues. Just like any other large breed dog, they are susceptible to hip dysplasia and knee problems (torn ligaments). As boxers get older, they are more likely than most breeds to get cancer.  Boxers need daily exercise to stay fit and happy and to release some of their energy. The life expectancy is between 11 and 14 years of age.

UPDATES

Happy Friday everyone!!! Just wanted to take a minute to update everyone on an earlier post. All of these animals have found loving homes!!! Just wanted to say thank you to the new owners for opening up your homes to these wonderful pets. Have a great weekend!!