PREVENTATIVE CARE FAQ'S

1. Are Pet vaccines really necessary in London Ontario?

The answer is a definitive YES.

For puppies, vaccines against Distemper virus, Hepatitis virus, Parvovirus and Kennel Cough are crucial. If your dog will be drinking from puddles or ponds then vaccination against Leptospirosis is equally as important, as the occurrence of this infection is increasing.

For kittens, keeping them protected from Upper Respiratory Viruses and Feline Leukemia is definitely the right choice as these infections are encountered all too often. If your cat will be going outside then protection against these infections are a must.

Rabies vaccination is imperative and it’s the law, even for indoor animals. Not having an up-to-date Rabies Vaccine not only puts dogs and cats at risk but also poses multiple human health issues because humans can get Rabies.

At Clarke Animal Hospital, your pet’s lifestyle will be assessed by the Veterinarian and an individualized vaccine plan will be implemented to increase its benefits.

2. Is it really necessary to spay and neuter my pet?

Is it necessary?…no. Is it recommended…DEFINITELY.

The reasons to neuter your dog or cat:

• To help prevent against cancer and other diseases of the reproductive system.
• To help prevent aggressive behavior and urinating around the house.
• Neutered dogs and cats are less likely to “run away from home”.
• To prevent unwanted pregnancies and unwanted animals.

The reasons to spay your dog or cat:

• To help prevent against ovarian, uterine and breast cancer. It is important to note that spaying dogs and cats before their first heat cycle is very important. As dogs and cats go through multiple heat cycles they become more prone to breast cancer. This can be a serious health problem, especially for cats, as the majority of these cancers are malignant and life-threatening.
• Spayed dogs and cats are less likely to “run away from home”.
• To prevent unwanted pregnancies and unwanted animals.

3. Are dental cleanings necessary?

Depending on the degree of disease in the mouth, a dental cleaning could be very necessary. Any dental specialist would tell you that even with Grade 1 Periodontal Disease (mild tartar accumulation) a dental cleaning would be recommended. When severe dental disease is encountered on a physical exam, such as severe tartar accumulation, tooth loosening, infection and bad breath, a dental procedure is highly recommended and should be performed for the safety of the animal.

Not only is periodontal disease painful but it poses great risk to all body systems. Bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream and attack the heart valves, liver and kidneys.

Once the mouth is clean and healthy after a dental cleaning, measures can be taken to prevent dental disease from recurring.

4. Does my dog need to be tested for Heartworm Disease every year?

The answer is an absolute YES.

It is very important that your dog has a NEGATIVE test every year before starting prevention.

A lot of the medications given to prevent Heartworm Disease can harm your dog if they have the infection, therefore a NEGATIVE test prior to giving the prevention is very important. Also, there is no reason to prevent Heartworm Disease with a once-a-month preventative if your dog already has the infection. If your dog has Heartworm Disease then they need to be treated , not given a prevention.

5. What is pre-anesthetic blood testing?

If your pet will be sedated or placed under general anesthesia then blood testing prior to these procedures is highly recommended.

A small amount of your pet’s blood is taken prior to the procedure. The major organs of the body, such as the liver and kidneys, are evaluated. This provides information on your pet’s health that may influence the safety of the anesthesia or procedure.

6. Is pre-anesthetic blood testing required?

Testing your pet’s blood prior to sedation or general anesthesia is not required but highly recommended. Along with a thorough physical exam, it is the easiest way to assess your animal’s ability to tolerate general anesthesia.

The liver and kidneys are the major organs that will eliminate anesthetics from the body, therefore it is important to make sure their levels are normal prior to any procedure requiring sedatives or general anesthetics.