Veterinary FAQ
Why should I test my dog for heartworm disease? Heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted to dogs by a mosquito. Microscopic larvae transferred by a mosquito bite develop into adult worms that travel through the blood stream and then live in the heart. These worms multiply and can ultimately interfere with the heart's function and can cause death. This disease is "silent," meaning there are no early symptoms to tell us that a dog has been infected with heartworms. Once symptoms like coughing or lethargy have developed, the damage to the heart is great and treatment is often unsuccessful. Thus, testing (blood test) for heartworm disease on a regular basis helps us to discover this silent killer and provides a better success for treatment and cure. Monthly heartworm preventative is the best way to ensure that your dog doesn't get heartworm. Because heartworm preventatives also treat common intestinal parasites that infect people causing blindness and other problems, year-round administration is recommended by both human and veterinary disease control specialists. www.heartwormsociety.org
www.petsandparasites.org

Do I need to treat my pets for fleas? Fleas are not as common in our area as in other parts of the country. However, fleas are a contributing factor to many other diseases that harm our pets as well as us. Applying a once-monthly top spot flea preventative (our clinic recommends Frontline®) to outdoor (indoor/outdoor) cats and dogs can help prevent flea infestation and help protect from disease such as plague and tapeworms.
Colorado Department of Public Health - Plague

Is it okay to feed people food? The best diet for our pets is a well- balanced specially formulated food. Feeding people food often adds unneeded calories and contributes to obesity in our pets. Obesity predisposes animals to heart disease, diabetes, arthritic conditions, and other chronic medical conditions. Also, homemade diets are often lacking in necessary nutrients and this can result in medical problems. On the other hand, feeding the occasional "table scrap" as a treat is fine as long as your pet doesn't have special diet needs. If the food is healthy for us, sharing some with our pet companions is fine.
www.petobesityprevention.com

How often does my pet need his/her teeth cleaned? Dental disease varies among individual animals and thus, the number of dental cleanings will vary. The best way to help prevent dental disease is DAILY brushing of your pet’s teeth starting as a puppy/kitten. We recommend using a veterinary formulated flavored, enzymatic toothpaste that is safe for your pet. Human toothpaste is not recommended for use in our pets. Your pet’s teeth should be examined yearly as part of a wellness exam by your veterinarian to assess when a full dental cleaning is needed. There are also diets formulated to help reduce tartar build up as well as treats and chews that have undergone rigorous review by a group of veterinary dentists and dental scientists--the Veterinary Oral Health Council. VOHC approved products are listed on this website: www.vohc.org

Why is my dog’s coat dry and flaky? Dry skin and dandruff can occur for a variety of reasons. Mild symptoms may be related to our dry climate. More significant symptoms may indicate an external parasite (i.g. mites), a hormonal problem (i.e. thyroid or other), allergies, skin secretion abnormality, or diet deficiencies. Simple tests by your veterinarian can help identify underlying problems.