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How often should my pet have an exam and blood work?
At Lusk Animal Clinic, we promote a proactive approach to pet wellness by identifying disease processes early in order to prevent chronic illnesses from becoming a problem. To ensure that we identify health issues early, we recommend an examination by your veterinarian every 12 months for all pets - young, old, and in-between. We recommend yearly visits for necessary vaccination boosters, routine blood work to detect parasites and cancer, and physical exams to monitor for any abnormality. Puppies and kittens require more frequent visits to ensure vaccinations and vaccine boosters are given at proper intervals. Older pets often require more frequent visits to monitor and treat various age-related conditions.
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At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
There are several factors that help determine the best age for spaying and neutering including your pet’s breed (larger breeds wait longer) and individual health status. Typical spaying and neutering for most pets not used for breeding purposes is usually recommended at about 6 months of age. Spaying and neutering help with animal population control and prevent unwanted pets. Just as importantly, spaying and neutering can improve the overall health of your pet, and help in avoiding certain reproductive diseases, and some types of cancer.
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What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?
Heartworms are a serious life-threatening, year-round parasitic threat to both indoor and outdoor pets. Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworms are extremely common in the warm, moisture rich environment found in Alabama.
Heartworm larvae are carried to healthy animals by mosquitoes that have previously bitten infected animals. Unless your pet is taking a heartworm preventative, the microfilaria, larvae of the parasites, will mature into adult worms. Adult heartworms can cause serious damage to the animal’s blood vessels, lungs and heart, and may ultimately cause death.
The best course of action is to have your pets tested regularly for the presence of heartworms and kept on a heartworm preventative regimen for the rest of their lives. Having your pet on a monthly preventative treatment is much less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. There are several options available for the prevention of this potentially life threatening disease. Our doctor will determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on their needs and lifestyle.