Most dogs infected with heartworms do not show any signs of disease for up to two years. Unfortunately, by the time clinical signs are seen, the disease is well advanced. The signs of heartworm disease depend on various factors; the most obvious signs being a soft, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of stamina. All of these signs are most noticeable following exercise, when some dogs may even faint. In some cases, severely infected dogs may die suddenly during exercise or excitement.

Cats, both indoor and outdoor, can also be affected by heartworm disease. Unfortunately it is harder to diagnose in cats due to their body’s response to the juvenile and adult worms. Some signs that an infected cat may show include: shortness of breath, coughing, and rapid breathing. Other signs include weight loss and vomiting, but these can also be symptoms of other serious causes. In some cases, heartworm positive cats can appear normal but may die suddenly without apparent cause. This is due to a reaction in the lungs to juvenile worms or when an adult worm enters the arteries in the lungs and obstructs blood flow.

Luckily, heartworm disease is easy to prevent in both dogs and cats. Preventative comes in the form of a once-a-month oral tablet or topical skin application. Administering heartworm preventative is a safe and effective way to prevent this troublesome disease. Once-a-year heartworm testing (required for all canine patients) combined with year-round preventative can keep your pet happy and heartworm-free for its entire life!

With hundreds of pet foods available to feed your dog, how do you find the right one? Many veterinarians believe that there is no single ‘right’ food for every dog; however, there are many variations in the quality of pet foods, and it is important that your pet eats a healthy, well-balanced diet.

In general, premium diets tend to contain better, more digestible ingredients and are higher in calories per cup.  While it is possible to make a balanced diet out of poor ingredients, pets tend to show wear and tear over time when eating cheaper diets due to poor digestibility.  It’s best to look for whole meats in the first ingredients of any food you are considering.  Whole grains are also a good addition.

There are a few very good commercial foods that contain quality meats, organic grains, some “whole food nutrition” (using whole apples, carrots, etc. to provide the necessary nutrients), and a few preservatives (avoiding potentially harmful preservatives, such as BHA, BHT, sodium nitrite or ehoxyquin). Some of these foods include Innova, California Natural, Wysong, Precise and Flint River. Some of the professional prescription diets also fall in this category. We offer a variety of premium diets, including California Natural, Innova, and Evo for purchase. Feel free to ask us which diet best fits your pet’s nutritional needs.

In between professional dental cleanings, there are numerous steps you can take to help maintain your pet’s teeth. Some preventative measures you can take at home include:

>Brushing your pet’s teeth. We carry a variety of pet-friendly, enzymatic toothpaste in palatable flavors such as poultry and malt;

>Feeding your pet a dental friendly diet and dental friendly treats. We stock a variety of products that are specially formulated to protect your pet’s teeth. Feel free to ask which products would best fit your pet’s needs;

>Applying protective products to your pet’s teeth. There are many products that help to protect the teeth and assist with plaque and tarter prevention. Some of these products include CET Oral Rinse, which is similar to a mouthwash, and OraVet, which is a sealant applied directly over your pet’s teeth. These products, along with others, can help maintain your pet’s dental health.

Acupuncture is routinely used in Eastern medicine as part of human and veterinary medicine and has now become more mainstream in Europe and the United States. Acupuncture, herbal remedies and other components of traditional Chinese medicine are gaining popularity due to their efficacy and minimal invasiveness and side effects, particularly when compared with Western medicine.

Chinese herbal medicine is often used in conjunction with acupuncture. Together, they can speed recovery and in some cases decrease the frequency of acupuncture visits. Drs. Turenne and Wass will discuss if acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy is appropriate for your pet.

At WVH, it is our goal to provide your pet with the highest quality veterinary care by offering conventional Western therapies while integrating traditional Eastern therapies. In this way, we are able to give our patients the best of both worlds.