Get Caught Up on Important Vaccinations for Your Pet’s Long-Term Health
Vaccines help teach your pet’s immune system how to recognize and fight off certain disease-causing agents. They work by stimulating the immune system’s production of antibodies that identify and destroy these agents (before they can cause disease). Companion Care Animal Hospital recommends essential vaccines for our cats and dogs.
Recommended Vaccinations for Cats
Starting when kittens are six weeks of age, they should begin the vaccine schedule. These are standard vaccinations for cats:
Feline leukemia (FIV)
Feline viral rhinotracheitis
Feline Panleukopenia
Rabies
Feline Calicivirus
Chlamydia
In addition, your veterinarian may also recommend this vaccination for your cat:
Bordetella
Recommended Vaccinations for Dogs
Six-week-old puppies should start receiving their vaccines, as certain diseases affect puppies most seriously. These are standard vaccinations for dogs:
Canine distemper
Canine parvovirus
Infectious canine hepatitis
Rabies
Canine influenza (dog flu)
Canine Tracheobronchitis (canine cough)
Leptospirosis
In addition, your veterinarian may also recommend this vaccination for your dog:
Lyme disease
Some Health Benefits to Pet Vaccination
When enough pet’s are immunized, both pets and people benefit. For example, because rabies vaccination is so widespread, there are usually less than 10 human deaths reported in the US each year.
“Studies consistently find that vaccinated pets are strongly protected against illnesses like parvovirus, distemper and panleukopenia, among others. Early-life shots are particularly important because maternal antibodies wane. Staged vaccine schedules for puppies and kittens are specifically designed to cover this high-risk window.”
Serious diseases can be fatal to your pet. And while immunizations can carry risk, side effects in dogs are reported at 0.4% and 0.5% in cats. Temporary side effects can include tiredness, mild fever or swelling around the injection site.
You and your veterinarian know your pet best. Certain pet habits or lifestyles affect which vaccinations are recommended. Contact us with your questions and concerns, and increase your awareness of pet immunization. Let’s work together to help your pet live their healthiest, happiest life.
Summer in Cincinnati is reliably hot and humid, which can be dangerous for people and pets alike. We can take some advice from the SPCA of Texas, where hot weather is no surprise.
Heat exhaustion starts when your pet’s body temperature elevates to 104 degrees F. Heat stroke can rapidly follow.
What Are the Danger Signs of Heat Stroke?
Heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst
Bright red tongue and mucous membranes, which turn grey as shock sets in
Thick saliva, drooling, vomiting and/or diarrhea
Unsteadiness and staggering
Lethargy
Which Pets Are Most Susceptible to Heat Exhaustion?
Dogs and cats with short noses and flat faces, such as pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats
Long-haired and thick-furred pets
Puppies and kittens
Seniors (most dogs over seven years old and cats over 10)
However, even if your pet doesn’t fall into the high-risk categories, heat exhaustion can come on rapidly and advance into heat stroke.
What About Cats & Heat Exhaustion?
The signs and risks of heat exhaustion in cats are very similar to dogs, so the above chart applies to both. Here’s what’s different for cats:
Cats don’t pant to release excess heat. They must rely on grooming themselves and finding shade
Since cats don’t pant, you’ll look for open-mouthed breathing as a sign of overheating
Flat-faced, brachycephalic cat breeds like Persians are more susceptible to heat exhaustion
We recommend keeping your cat indoors in an air-conditioned environment during very hot days.
What to Do if You Suspect Heat Stroke in Your Pet
Move your pet to a cooler environment right away. An air-conditioned room is best. If that’s not available, provide shade and a fan
Wet their body with cool water (not ice water)
Offer clean water
DON’T: immerse in ice water or wrap them in a wet towel
Call your veterinarian right away
How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Your Pet
The best advice for preventing heat stroke in your pet is to be mindful that summer temperatures can lead to dangerous situations quickly.
Keep your pet inside the air-conditioning during the heat of the day
Take walks in the early morning and late evening, keeping them shorter than usual
Dehydration can be a common problem for cats and dogs. Your pet needs about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your pet is particularly active or spends considerable time outside, they may need more water.
Here’s a helpful video about pet hydration, and how important water is for every single body function and your pet’s overall health.
How Do I Check for Dehydration in My Pet?
Gum test: Gently pull back your pet’s lip and feel their gums. If the gum is sticky or dry, your pet is dehydrated.
Skin test: Use your thumb and forefinger to create a “tent” of skin between your pet’s shoulders. If the skin snaps back quickly, your pet probably isn’t dehydrated. If it takes more than a moment to snap back, dehydration is likely.
Other symptoms of dehydration can include:
Loss of appetite
Loss of energy
Sunken eyes
Depression
Panting
Vomiting
What to Do if You Suspect Dehydration in Your Pet
If you think your pet might be dehydrated, do these two things right away:
Offer water immediately
Call your veterinarian
If dehydration is a common problem for your pet, your veterinarian may recommend you switch to wet food.
Summer is in full swing, and hotter days are ahead. Check out these important summer safety tips to keep your pets healthy this season.
Summer Safety Do’s
DO provide pets with cool, fresh water at all times (both outdoors and indoors)
DO keep pets indoors in the AC during the heat of the day
DO walk your dogs early in the morning or in the evening, when the temperatures are cooler
DO limit jogging or bicycling with your dog
DO apply sunscreen to your pets if you’re going to be in the sun, especially those with short hair.
Summer Safety Don’ts
DON’T leave pets unattended in cars
DON’T leave dogs outdoors, unattended on a chain or tether
DON’T let pets near gardening products, pesticides, fertilizers or tools
DON’T walk dogs on hot sidewalks or asphalt that burns their paws
DON’T leave pets outside during fireworks/firecracker displays
Hot Asphalt Awareness
It doesn’t take much sunny weather to make asphalt dangerously hot. When the air temperature is comfortable, it can still burn exposed paw pads.
Air Temperature
Asphalt Temperature
77 degrees F
125 degrees F
86 degrees F
135 degrees F
87 degrees F
143 degrees F
At 125 degrees F, skin destruction can occur in just 60 seconds. At 131 degrees F, an egg will fry in five minutes. During walks, keep your dog off asphalt (or protect their paws with booties).
Heat Stroke in Dogs
Heat stroke affects any human or animal. It’s when the body temperature dangerously overheats. Dogs are especially susceptible to heat stroke and need their humans to watch out for them.
Normal: 100.5 – 102.5 degrees F
Heat Exhaustion: greater than 104 degrees F
Heat Stroke: 107-109 degrees F
Early Signs of Heat Stroke
When a dog’s body temperature approaches 104 degrees F, they will show these symptoms:
Heavy panting
Difficulty breathing
Excessive thirst
Unsteadiness and staggering
Lethargy
Intense Symptoms of Heat Stroke
After 15 minutes or more of suffering heat stroke, a dog’s symptoms will become much more serious.
The Risk of Parasite Infection Can Be Right Next Door– At Any Time
Our dogs need protection from several parasites. Credelio Quattro is a chewable tablet that protects against six parasites:
Fleas
Ticks
Heartworms
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
This prevention medication is given to your dog monthly as a beef-flavored chewable tablet. It’s a convenient, clean and simple-to-administer solution for protecting your dog from common parasites.
It kills more than 99% of fleas within eight hours, about 97% of ticks within 48 hours and 100% of tapeworms. And it prevents heartworm disease from the first dose.
Companion Care Animal Hospital carries Credelio Quattro in all sizes, and we can provide a discount code to give you the most favorable cost possible. It’s always best to obtain prescription medication from your pet’s veterinarian, so you know the product is legitimate and stored properly.
Here are five of Companion Care Animal Hospital’s dog-specific health articles. Knowing this information as we move into summer can help your whole family enjoy a healthy season.
The risk of heartworm infection can be right next door– at any time. Sadly, we encounter several common myths about this deadly parasitic infection that can put pets at risk. Here are the facts we want everyone to know
MYTH: Indoor pets don’t need prevention.TRUTH: Mosquitoes get indoors, slipping through screens and doors. One bite is all it takes, and indoor pets are still vulnerable.
MYTH: Only dogs get heartworm.TRUTH: Cats are also susceptible. While they are atypical hosts, they can suffer severe respiratory issues from immature worms, and there is no approved treatment for cats.
MYTH: You don’t need to worry about heartworms in the winter.TRUTH: Mosquitoes can emerge during winter warm-ups, and skipping doses can allow larvae to mature, making them more dangerous to treat.
MYTH: I’ll know if my pet has heartworms.TRUTH: Symptoms often don’t appear until the disease is advanced, causing permanent damage to the heart and lungs.
Heartworm “season” is year-round. To protect your pet (and others), give heartworm prevention year-round. This includes spring, summer, fall and winter. If you are in need of heartworm prevention, contact us.
Common household items such as plants, foods and chemicals can harm your pet if ingested. Please pay close attention to these top 10 toxins for dogs and cats.
Top 10 Toxins for Dogs
Chocolate
Mouse and rat poisons
Vitamins
Human and veterinary pain relievers
Heart medication, i.e., beta blockers
Cold and allergy medications, i.e., Pseudoephedrine and Phenylephrine
Anti-depressants
Xylitol
Acetaminophen, i.e, Tylenol
Caffeine pills
Top 10 Toxins for Cats
Topical spot-on insecticides
Household cleaners
Anti-depressants
Lilies
Insoluble oxalate plants, i.e., Philodendron
Human and veterinary pain relievers
Acetaminophen, i.e, Tylenol
Glow sticks
ADD/ADHD medications/amphetamines
Mouse and rat poisons
Do you have questions about common household items that might be toxic to your pets? Contact us.
During Pet Health Dental Month, we like to highlight how important dental care is for your pet’s overall health. Good dental health helps your pet feel better, eat better and behave better. Dental disease can cause bacterial problems throughout the body’s systems, along with the problems that come with infected gums or diseased teeth.
Know the Signs of Dental Disease
Most pet dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can’t see it. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian. But, if you see any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian:
Red, swollen gums
Increased drooling
Dropping food from the mouth
Whining while eating
Loss of appetite
Unexpected weight loss
Loose or discolored teeth
Bleeding from mouth
Unwillingness to play with toys
Top Pet Dental Care Steps
Pet dental health is critical for overall health. Here are the top things you can do to improve and preserve your pet’s teeth and gums:
Toothbrushing with a soft brush and water or pet-formulated paste
Regular veterinary examinations, at least annually
Professional dental cleaning if recommended by your veterinarian
Look for signs of oral disease
Has it been awhile since your pet’s last dental cleaning? Contact us to see if it might be time.
