New Bedford Pet Owners: Check-ups & Vaccinations for Cats & Dogs

vaccinations for cats and dogsNew Bedford pet owners should consider preventive treatments, such as vaccinations and preventives, such as heartworm treatment for dogs, as a means of protecting their best furry friends from getting serious diseases and illnesses. This is the best thing that you can do for your pet to prevent them from becoming sick and to increase their life expectancy. Many of these conditions are life threatening and can be avoided just by getting care at the local veterinary clinic in Dartmouth. Why risk your pet’s health and well-being by skipping this important visit to your Southeastern Massachusetts emergency vet?

Vet Check-ups and Vaccinations

When it comes to getting vaccinations for your pets, particularly cats and dogs, it is important to know what is required by law and what you may want to add and include to help keep your pet safe. Your local veterinary clinic in Dartmouth can help you to prevent most of the major infectious diseases that affect pets in New England through the use of safe and effective vaccines. Check with your Southeastern Massachusetts emergency vet for a full run-down of recommended vaccines for your pet, but below we will feature a basic list of vaccinations that you should consider asking about for your cats and dogs.

There are a lot of required and highly suggested vaccines for dogs. Rabies, as required by law in most areas of New England, and serious disease concerns like parvovirus and canine distemper. Other vaccines that your vet may suggest, depending on your pet’s lifestyle and level of exposure, include adenovirus-2, leptospirosis, bordatella and canine influenza. Preventive treatments for parasites, including fleas and ticks, are also important. Prevention and treatment for lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks and common in the local area, may be considered optional, but is highly recommended depending on your pet’s exposure. Essential and common vaccines for cats include rabies, which is required by law in most areas, as well as feline distemper and feline leukemia.

Preventive Treatments for Pets

Another area that requires your attention as a pet owner in the New England area is parasite prevention. New Bedford pet owners need to understand that most parasites can be prevented through assistance from your local veterinary clinic in Dartmouth. For example, heartworm – which can be a deadly disease – can be prevented through heartworm treatment for dogs and sometimes even for cats who are at-risk.

Speak with your Southeastern Massachusetts emergency vet for information on parasite prevention, what parasites are most common in the South Coast area and what else you can do at home to prevent infestation or attacks on your pet. It is also important to note that many parasites are “zoonotic,” which is a medical term used to identify parasites that can infect people, as well as animals. Preventing parasites in your pets is not just important to the health and safety of your pet, but also for your entire family.

Specific Solutions & Preventive Measures

Preventing flea infestations is important because they can cause your pets all sorts of troubles, including skin problems, irritations, infections and they can even transmit diseases. Speak with your veterinary clinic in Dartmouth for the best solutions for you and your pet. A serious issue here in the South Coast region, preventing ticks is important for every member of your family. Tick prevention should be used year-round for the best coverage. Speak with your vet about other things you can do to keep ticks at bay. This type of preventive behavior will benefit every member of your family.

Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms and coccidia – not only are these intestinal parasites disgusting and creepy, they are also very dangerous to your pet and your human family. Routine testing and preventive treatments are the best method. You also hear a lot about heartworm treatment for dogs on television and at your local Southeastern Massachusetts emergency vet office. Once you know the facts, it can be pretty alarming. However, it is important to know that heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes in both cats and dogs. There are some great heartworm preventive medications that can be given, but they must be done under the direction of a veterinarian.

The Best Vet for New Bedford Pet Owners

New Bedford pet owners and pet owners throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, should contact Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth to find out more about vaccinations, preventive treatments, screenings and heartworm treatment for dogs and cats. You can also schedule a well check-up or annual check-up to keep your pet safe and healthy. Give us a call at 508-996-3731 to learn more about our services, which include basic healthcare, check-ups and vaccinations, as well as surgeries, treatments, x-rays and other emergency care.