Now that we have opened a new practice, after some four years of semi-retirement, I have to begin rethinking many of the protocols for pet care that are important to Southwest Florida pet owners. In years past I have been amazed at the confusion that surrounds heartworm disease, both in our dogs and cats, in this area where the disease is so widespread.
The technical aspects are important and you can find much information on life cycles and other aspects of the disease on the internet, but let me simplify this to a couple of understandable facts. 1: the disease is carried by infected dogs and other wildlife and transmitted by mosquitoes that take a blood meal from the infected; dog and 2: go on to bite another dog or cat. All dogs are susceptible and it is estimated that 20% of our cats are susceptible as well. It is only reasonable to advise every pet owner to use the monthly preventatives available, both for cats and for dogs. The disease is completely preventable by using one of the preventative products available, be it oral or topical applications. When used as directed faithfully each month the potential for infection of you your pet is almost ZERO!
If you are not currently using the preventative, schedule an appointment and get started, if you have used the preventative and stopped, get your pet checked and start again. The saddest sight I have ever had to witness is a dog dying of heartworm disease - it is a slow and agonizing death for the pet and when the disease is advanced to the point of clinical disease there is almost no satisfactory outcome from treatment. Even if the pet survives treatment, he or she will very likely be impaired for life.
Dr. Richard Carpenter
The Office:
In the office we are prepared for most any event that can happen with your pet.None of us can control when they get excited and urinate or something else on the floor.Don't worry about it - that's why we have tile floors.On the other hand, walking your dog before you leave home and limiting breakfast on the morning of your visit will help their need to eliminate along the way.One word of caution, however, never-never,take their water away from them.We don't want to see an animal that is even a little dehydrated,it can truly confuse the examination process and water is very important to control their ability to deal with heat! So, never limit the water - if they urinate we have to the technology to cope with it
The Laboratory:
We have equipped our lab to preform the basic and necessary tests for your visit.These include a complete blood count, blood chemistries, heartworm tests, feline leukemia and aids tests, parvotests, as well as many others.Occasionally there will be other needs and we will send them to the laboratory services available for expert evaluation.
We also have a new high quality x-ray machine and x-ray processor to assist our diagnostic challenges.So,we will be able to preform any diagnostics necessary to get to the root of your pet's problem