With the days getting longer and the temperature rising we are all looking forward to sunny days outside, especially our four-legged friends. And, as always, with the fair weather come the fair weather fiends. Fleas, ticks and mosquitos.
These critters have the potential to cause serious harm to our furry companions and it is important to us that you are aware of all the potential dangers.
Without proper protection, your pets are at risk of flea and tick bites that can infect them with Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis. These illnesses can be very serious, and some may even lead to death without proper treatment.
Another life-threatening illness is Heartworm disease. Heartworms are parasites that live in the hearts of dogs. They are spread through mosquito bites and the only way to avoid them is through prevention.
These diseases can cause great discomfort to your pet and are very expensive to treat. It is in your own best interest to “Armor-up” against these potential threats.
Advantages of Annual Exams
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s just as true when it comes to the well-being of your pet. And there’s no better way to help your pets live long and healthy lives than to make sure they receive their annual veterinary exams.
Even if your pet seems perfectly healthy, a yearly check-up is a must. During the exam, our veterinarians might pick up early warning signs of a medical problem that can be completely corrected, or at least slowed in progress. That means a longer and healthier life for your pet—and lower medical bills for you.
Vaccinations: Another Form of Prevention
Why do we vaccinate? Vaccinations are another form of prevention. Vaccines can protect your dog and cat from contracting a variety of illnesses, some of which can be fatal. Just as a newborn baby needs their vaccines in order to boost their immune system to fight off viruses, so do your pets. Even if they are never exposed to the outdoors, they can still contract illnesses from something you may bring home unknowingly.
What do vaccines do? Vaccines prevent illness by enabling the immune system to create defenses against disease. A vaccine contains disease antigens that gently stimulate the immune system without infecting the patient. The immune system then creates antibodies to fight off the real disease, should your pet ever be exposed.
What immunizations are recommended? The core vaccines that we recommend are the DA2PPL and Rabies for your dogs, which prevent serious diseases such as Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis and Rabies. The core vaccines we recommend for your cats are the FVRCP and Rabies which prevent illnesses like Panleukopenia, Calicivirus and Rabies. Each one of these diseases can be fatal.
Based on your pets home life we may recommend other vaccines such as the Bordetella, which prevents kennel cough, if your dog is very social or the Lyme vaccine if your dog loves to play in the woods or tall grass.
If you’d like to make an appointment at our Pet Health Centers for an annual exam or to get your pet up to date on their vaccinations, you can click the BOOK NOW button below, or call us at 516-883-2000, or by email at phc@animalleague.org.
