Adopting a New Dog: One Question You Must Ask!!

Adopting a New Dog: One Question You Must Ask

That precious face! Those pleading eyes! That expressive tail! Adopting a dog is a wonderful—and sometimes life-changing—experience. As you adopt your new furry family member, be sure to ask if he or she has been tested for heartworm disease. If not, we can do a quick and easy test to make sure your dog is heartworm free, then give an injection to protect against this dangerous disease for a full six months.

No Heartworm Disease Here!

We hear it often: “But we don’t have heartworm disease around here.” That’s not so true. The American Heartworm Society tells us that this potentially deadly disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states. Plus, your new canine friend may have come to our area from another part of the country where heartworm disease is even more widespread.

Why Didn’t They Tell Me?

Unfortunately, especially in its early stages, heartworm disease displays few, if any, symptoms. Some dogs may cough, but it is not unusual for no symptoms to be present. That’s why the test is so important. The earlier we can catch the disease, the higher the chances for successful treatment.

The Truth About Heartworm Disease Treatment

What if my dog tests positive, you may ask? We can’t lie, the treatment isn’t pretty. It involves a number of medications and restricts your dog to a cage or kennel for up to four months—or perhaps even longer. That’s why it is so important for you to talk with us about heartworm disease preventatives.

Just One Dose Twice a Year

A new Harris Poll reports that 27 percent of dog owners said they barely remember to take their own medication—let alone administer medication to their dogs!¹ That’s why we recommend a safe and easy heartworm preventative that provides 6 months of protection in 1 injection.

You want to give your new dog a good life—that’s why you adopted. We are here to help make sure you have many happy, healthy years together without the worry of life-threatening diseases like heartworm. Make an appointment today! We can’t wait to meet your new best friend!

¹Zoetis Data on File. Harris Poll of 784 U.S. dog owners. February 2015.

Heartworm Disease Prevention: Mosquito Season is All Year Long

Heartworm Disease Prevention: Mosquito Season is All Year Long

Imagine your dog confined to a small crate or kennel night and day for four months or more: no longer able to jump, run or even play. Imagine costly—and painful—treatment necessary to kill the dangerous heartworms infecting your dog’s body. These could be the consequences of just one mosquito bite. And, they could have been avoided with 2 injections of heartworm preventative a year.

Anytime is Mosquito Time

The American Heartworm Society (AHS) reports that “with unpredictable weather patterns and the ability of hardy mosquitoes to survive in protected areas—as well as indoors—it’s difficult to predict when heartworms aren’t in season. And, once bitten, symptoms often don’t become apparent until a dog is seriously ill—and some dogs never exhibit symptoms before the disease is too far along to treat.” That’s why the AHS recommends year-round heartworm protection for all dogs.

Not All Dogs Take Their Medicine

You may think your dog is protected. However, a recent Harris Poll found that of the dog owners surveyed who provide a monthly oral heartworm disease preventative to their dogs, nearly one quarter (23 percent) say their dogs do not always eat the entire tablet. Of those owners, 20 percent reported finding unswallowed pills on the floor. ¹

We Have a Safe and Easy Solution

Now is the best time to talk with us about a safe, easy and convenient way to protect your dog from heartworm disease with just two doses a year. We offer an injectable solution—so your best friend is protected from heartworm disease—and you’ll never have to worry about remembering to give a monthly preventative again.

Call us today to make your appointment and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your dog is protected from deadly heartworm disease all year round with just two doses a year!

¹Zoetis Data on File. Harris Poll of 784 U.S. dog owners. February 2015.

3 Important Things to Do for Your Dog Right Now

Heartworm Awareness Month

                                                                            

3 Important Things to Do for Your Dog Right Now

Now is the perfect time to make sure your best friend is protected from the dangers of fleas, ticks and especially potentially life-threatening heartworms that mosquitos can carry. Call today and ask us about the safe, convenient injection that provides 6 months of protection from heartworm disease for your dog and peace of mind knowing that you don’t have to remember monthly medication.

Keeping your dog safe is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Be Aware!

The American Heartworm Society (AHS) reports that more than a million pets in the U.S. have heartworm disease—with cases diagnosed in all 50 states. Don’t let your dog be a statistic! The AHS has designated April as Heartworm Disease Awareness Month. Ask us about the dangers right here in our area.

2. Take the Test

In the early stages, many dogs show few symptoms of heartworm disease—some no symptoms at all! A new Harris Poll says that of the 55 percent of owners who provide their dog with heartworm disease preventatives, only 43 percent have their dog tested for heartworms.¹ If your dog hasn’t been on a regular heartworm disease preventative, we can conduct a quick, safe and easy heartworm test and then help you select the best preventative for your canine friend.

3. Protect for the Long Run

Monthly preventatives are effective—as long as you remember to give them. We all have busy lives, and even the most conscientious owners can forget a dose. One missed or even delayed dose of heartworm preventative puts your dog at risk. The AHS recommends year-round heartworm preventative for all pets. We can take the worry out of protecting your dog with just 2 injections a year.

Call and make an appointment for your dog today!

¹Zoetis Data on File. Harris Poll of 784 U.S. dog owners. February 2015.