the best care for your pets

Purrfect Pets

• How soon can I get my dog spayed or neutered?

Adult dogs should have a yearly or annual vet visit at least once a year, which should comprise of a comprehensive physical examination, vaccination boosters, deworming and heartworm testing. The older your dog gets however the more complex their visits may become. With age some pets may develop chronic age-related issues that have to be managed throughout the course of the year so multiple vet visits per year may be required. The earlier these problems are detected in an animal the higher the possibility of those issues being managed well long term. Your veterinarian will be able to provide the best advice as to when more in depth diagnostics should be performed on your pet as they age and how often they should come in for follow up visits. At minimum, with no outward problems your pet should see the vet at least once a year.

The answer is NO. Canned food does not give your pet worms. This is a myth that has circulated amongst the animal community for as long as I can remember. There are things veterinary professionals must consider when we hear this question. A lot of times it's because after receiving some canned food the texture of a dogs' stool may change from firm to soft or watery. Soft and watery stools are often associated with worms. So while your pet may have developed looser stool than normal after ingesting canned food it doesn't translate into the food giving them worms. Besides, pet foods undergo rigorous testing before they can be placed on the market for your pets consumption. If your pet has developed loose stools after a dietary change seek veterinary advice to get things moving in the right direction. Also, if your pet has developed loose stools with no inciting cause that you can think of, its time for a vet visit. 

• How often should my adult dog see the vet?

• When can I start my puppy on adult food?

Poor appetite and vomiting in a puppy should be taken very seriously. There are many reasons why these symptoms can occur, like worms, parvo virus, obstructions etc., but a veterinary visit would be the first step in figuring out what is wrong with your puppy. Call or visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Trying to medicate sick animals, especially young and highly susceptible animals at home without veterinary advice may delay the care they need and lead to negative outcomes.

Absolutely! The earlier you introduce your pup to idea of having their teeth brushed the better, but only veterinary/pet approved toothbrushes and toothpastes should be used.  Now, don't be fooled into thinking this will be an easy task. Not all dogs accept having their teeth brushed so that is where your veterinary team comes in. We perform dental cleanings for your pet twice a year to maintain proper oral health. Dental cleanings at the vet can vary from minor cleanings to  cleanings with extractions. Get advise from your vet to find out when a dental is appropriate for your pet.   

Heartworm prevention should start as early as 8 weeks old. It should be given once a month (every 30 days) for the lifetime of the pet. Pet owners should watch their pets closely to ensure that they are eating the full pill in front of them. Heartworms, which can be fatal, are transmitted by mosquito. Ensuring your pet is well protected every month is extremely important to their health.

• Can I brush my dogs teeth?

Yes! You can take your dog to the beach BUT your dog should be fully vaccinated first. Also, while going to the beach is a fun family activity think about the health of your pet. They must have adequate fresh water to drink at all times while on the beach. They should never be allowed to roam off leash on the beach. This minimizes the possibility of ingesting something either toxic or harmful as well as reduces the risk of injury from objects at the beach as well as from other animals or people.  Pets should not be allowed to consume the salt water at the beach and if they persistently try to drink the sea water, move them away from the water altogether and encourage the drinking of fresh water. Also, the sand and beach can be extremely hot, and animals don't have sweat glands like humans. Aside from cool fresh water to drink, they need adequate shade so that they can remain cool and eliminate the possibility of heat stroke. Remember that lots of animals visit the beach so make sure that your pet is wearing with a collar with a name tag, has a leash and is vaccinated fully and dewormed on a regular basis. After fun at the beach, when you return home, wash the salt and sand out of your dog's coat to prevent dryness and irritation.

• At what age does Heartworm prevention start?

• At what age do puppies start to receive vaccinations?

At Purrfect Pets we like to spay females before their first heat which occurs between 6-9 months old.  We will regularly schedule spay and neuter appointments shortly after their series of vaccinations are completed. If your pet is older, an examination to determine their health status should be performed and your vet can advise you when is an appropriate time to spay or neuter.

While it might seem economical to purchase a larger size of Heartgard and split it between two dogs of a lower weight range it is not advisable and should never be considered an alternative to heartworm prevention. The reason is because Heartworm tablets are not scored. This means that the medications to prevent heartworms is not evenly distributed throughout the entirety of the pill. Splitting the pill between two or more dogs may have serious consequences for your pet and can result in an animal becoming positive for heartworms because they are not receiving the proper dosage of medication. Always administer the preventative as instructed on the package for the appropriate weight range of your pet. The risk is simply too great to leave to chance. 

Puppies typically eat puppy food until they are between 1 year to 18 months old. Remember that even though they are growing, they are not considered fully grown or an adult until 18 months. The proper nutrition during this phase of life is important for proper development.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I do if my puppy won't eat and is vomiting?

Puppies should begin their series of vaccines ideally between the ages of 6-8 weeks old. Vaccines are only given to healthy puppies.

• Does canned food give my dog worms?

• Can I split a heartworm prevention between multiple pets?
  

• Can I take my dog to the beach?