Top Fall River Preventive Veterinary Services and Treatments
They say that the best defense is a good offense, and that saying holds true when it comes to veterinary medicine. Fall River pet owners often look for ways to prevent common illnesses and problems to improve their pet’s health, longevity, and quality of life. Some of the ways that your local South Coast veterinarian can help with this approach is through preventive flea and tick treatments, vaccinations, heartworm testing, and medication, as well as advanced dentistry in Dartmouth at Anchor Animal Hospital. This method just makes sense, because it keeps your pet healthy and reduces your costs for veterinary treatments that can be required if you neglect these essential treatment options.
Flea and Tick Treatments
It is no secret that fleas and ticks are harmful to pets and people. They aren’t just annoying but can cause real health problems. Don’t chance your flea and tick prevention to some over-the-counter solution. Fall River pet owners should seek support from their trusted South Coast veterinarian to get top quality preventive treatments that will keep these parasites at bay. While fleas and ticks are most active in the summer months, thriving and multiplying between 65 and 80 degrees, they can also survive indoors in the winter.
Make sure your preventive products are new – always check the expiration date before using. However, it is still recommended that you perform regular checks in addition to flea and tick treatments. The best way to prevent disease transmission is to catch ticks in less than 24 hours after they become attached. If you do find a tick, contact your veterinarian so they can monitor your pet for any symptoms of illness. Don’t use dog preventives on cats and don’t assume that your kitten is old enough for a “cat” treatment. Feel free to contact Anchor Animal Hospital with any questions about preventive treatments.
Internal Parasite Prevention
In addition to fleas and ticks, Fall River pet owners need to be concerned with internal parasites, heartworm, and something known as Toxoplasma gondii or T. gondii for cats. While we mostly hear about heartworm prevention for dogs, it is becoming an increasingly recognized problem in cats. Transmitted by mosquitoes, the heartworm infects the right side of the heart and the large vessels of the lungs. Heartworm is completely preventable with a year-round treatment. Speak with your South Coast veterinarian for details about this type of preventive treatment for your cat or dog.
Internal parasites can be passed to humans. A fecal examination includes Giardia testing, and a microscopic examination of feces to check for worm eggs and coccidia in both kittens and puppies, as well as adult animals who might have been exposed to parasites. Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, one of the most common parasitic diseases found in warm-blooded animals. It is transferable to humans, which is why many doctors tell pregnant women not to clean the litterbox, as it can be harmful to the unborn baby. T. gondii can survive for months in the soil, in the garden, and children’s sandboxes, so it is essential to wash your hands after gardening and keep sandboxes covered.
Dental Care
Studies show that 70-80 percent of cats and dogs will already have some degree of dental disease by the time they are just three years of age. Advanced dentistry in Dartmouth is sometimes required for extractions and other procedures necessary for the health and well-being of the pet. At Anchor Animal Hospital, our South Coast veterinarian team recommends good oral hygiene for your dog or cat, and we offer a complete line of at-home dental care products that you can use to improve their oral health. Fall River pet owners should know that we examine each pet’s mouth and teeth as part of our routine yearly exams. If advanced dentistry services are required, we will advise you of your options.
Dental disease can cause bad breath, painful mouth, difficulty eating, lethargy, and can increase complications for heart and kidney disease in pets. Routine dental cleanings can prevent the need for advanced dentistry in Dartmouth and the surrounding area. We encourage pre-anesthetic blood screenings for all pets, and require this additional test for any pets over the age of seven, prior to dental services. An individual anesthetic protocol will be tailored to the needs of your pet, allowing us to provide proper pain relief and the smoothest recovery possible. A blood screening will enable us to be aware of any potential problems so we can plan accordingly for the safety of your pet.
Our mission at Anchor Animal Hospital is to provide our clients with quality veterinary medicine, surgical services, and preventive care in the South Coast region of Massachusetts and the eastern shore of Rhode Island. Our entire team strives to bring the latest technology and techniques in a friendly and personal atmosphere. If you would like to schedule an appointment for flea and tick treatments, annual exams, or advanced dentistry in Dartmouth, give us a call at 508-996-3731.