According to the American Heartworm Society, virtually 100 percent of dogs and up to 90 percent of cats exposed to mosquitoes carrying the infective larvae will become heartworm positive. Fortunately, heartworm prevention can help you protect your pet from the damage heartworms can do. Treatment of established heartworm disease is not only expensive but
Heartworm is a parasite that all dog and cat owners have to be concerned about. Heartworm infections and heartworm disease are endemic amongst dogs in North Carolina, meaning that they are a widespread and ongoing health concern. Though cats are infected less often than dogs, when they are infected it is most often fatal, so
By Jodi Reed, DVM It's that time of year again when spring flowers start poking up through the still-cold ground, first buds on trees start blooming, and seasonal pet allergies start kicking in. But while their humans get stuffy noses, watery eyes, and achy heads, our pets experience a different type of reaction to
March is Poison Awareness Month, with the third week being National Poison Prevention Week. If you’re the proud pet parent of a dog or a cat, it’s relevant to you. And if you’re taking to heart our advice to walk your dog daily, it’s vital that you learn to recognize plants that are poisonous to dogs or
Valentine’s Day is synonymous with hearts, flowers and—of course—chocolate. And we all want to share our joy with our furry friends. You can go ahead and share your heart as much as you like, but your dog won’t likely care much for flowers. Chocolate is a different story, however, and regardless of how much Fifi
With January being National Walk Your Pet Month, it’s important to consider your pet’s safety from parasites while you’re out walking year-round. Parasites are one of the primary health risks to dogs, particularly if you and your dog love to go rambling in wooded areas or paddling in rivers and lakes. Dogs can pick up
Daily dog walking and regular wellness checks are the two best methods of keeping your pet healthy and fit. Dogs need exercise, and walking them often is good for both Fido and you. January is National Walk Your Pet Month and National Train Your Dog Month, so we’ve taken a look at the importance and benefits
Animals suffer from environmental allergies in exactly the same way people do. In fact, dogs and cats can react just as severely as their human companions to environmental allergens – and eventually develop reactions that can go from mild to life-threatening. Environmental allergies (also known as atopic dermatitis or atopy)
Did you know dogs have baby teeth just like humans do? And that those teeth will eventually fall out to allow permanent teeth to grow in just like us? Puppy baby teeth (formally known as deciduous teeth) are those a dog first develops, usually during the initial few weeks of life. Puppies have 28 deciduous
What do arthritis, a snakebite, a hot spot, and a surgical incision site all have in common? The bad news is that they are all painful situations for your furry companion to have to go through. The good news is that they can all be treated with something you may
