Oral Health
Increase the longevity of your pet’s life!

The #1 health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats is oral disease. We continue to promote awareness of the importance of preventative dental care in maintaining your pet’s overall health. Regular exams and cleanings are important to keep your pet happy and healthy.

Studies have shown that YEARLY teeth cleanings provide: reduced plaque and tartar formation, decreased gum and tooth infections, help prevent bad breath, and help prevent heart, kidney and liver disease. Almost all pets over 3 years of age have some form of dental disease.

Vaccinations:

It is important that your dog or cat receive their vaccinations from a licensed veterinarian. Buying vaccines and administering them yourself is highly discouraged. The vaccines may not have been handled or administered properly and may be ineffective. Most grooming and boarding facilities will not accept any vaccinations given by anyone but a licensed veterinarian.

The following vaccines are recommended for dogs:

DHPPC(Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Parainfluenza and Corona Virus):
Given once a year, after the puppy series. It is very important to keep on track with this vaccination. Parvo, a common disease, is a very serious and often fatal disease affecting dogs, especially puppies, that are either not vaccinated or ineffectively vaccinated within the first year.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough):
Given every six months, after the puppy series. Kennel cough is an air born virus and can be caught in any number of places where other dogs are. The Bordetella vaccine is required by most groomers and kennels.

Rabies:
One year and then every three years after that.

Rattlesnake:
Not required, but recommended for dogs that may come into contact with rattle snakes. The rattlesnake vaccine was developed and is produced by Red Rock Biologics

The following vaccines are recommended for cats:

FV(Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calici, and Panleukopenia):
Given once a year after the kitten series. It is very important to keep on track with this vaccination. Panleukopenia (feline distemper) is a very serious and often fatal disease affecting cats, especially kittens, that are either not vaccinated or ineffectively vaccinated within the first year.

FeLV (Feline Leukemia):
Feline leukemia is given once a year after the kitten series. It is transmitted by cat to cat contact and is often a fatal disease. Not required in indoor only cats with no contact with outside cats.

Rabies:
Given at 16 weeks, then again one year later and then every three years.

Micro-chip Implantation:

The micro-chip is given like a vaccine and is implanted just below the skin. Once the micro-chip is implanted owner contact information is sent to HomeAgain. The price of the micro-chip includes a 1 year registration with the company. Registration with the company includes proactive pet recovery by HomeAgain when a pet is reported missing, 24/7 emergency medical assistance, medical insurance for lost pets, pet i.d. cards. After the 1 year included registration you may choose whether or not to continue paying for registration. If you decide not to the company keeps your contact information on file. It is important to contact HomeAgain and Ada Animal Hospital to update your contact information if it changes.

Soft Paws:

Soft paws are an excellent alternative to declawing a cat. They are vinyl caps that are glued to the cat’s claws that prevent the damage from them scratching. Soft paws generally last for 3-4 months.

Parasitic Zoonoses & Heartworm Infections:
The facts . . .

Zoonotic diseases are primarily in animals and can be transmitted to people. Most infections occur through soil contaminated with infected eggs and larvae. Children are the most at risk for disease transmission. An estimated 10,000 cases of human roundworm infection occur each year with more than 700 resulting in vision loss, according to the CDC*.
Heartworms are transmitted from animal to animal by mosquitoes. The larvae migrate through the body reaching the blood vessels of the lungs. Once mature they enter the heart where they continue to grow, growing up to 14″ in length. In time this will result in severe lung and heart disease. The Treasure Valley had 27 positive heartworm cases in dogs last year alone.

Steps to Protect Your Family and Pets . . .

1. Drop a fresh stool sample off at our hospital and we will call you with the results. (There is a small fee for the test) The CDC* recommends a microscopic fecal exam twice a year for each pet. This is especially important if you have children in your home.
2. Start your pet on monthly parasite prevention program. We carry two monthly prevention options: “Iverhart Plus“, a once-a-month oral tablet that protects against heartworms and most intestinal parasites; and “Revolution“, which is applied topically and protects against most intestinal parasite, heartworms, fleas and ticks
3. Set up an appointment today to have your pet tested for heartworm infection. This only requires a quick and simple blood test.

*CDC - the Center for Disease Control

Spaying & Neutering:
The facts . . .

Having your pet spayed or neutered not only cuts down on the over abundance of pets, but is an important part of keeping your pet healthy.

Dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered anytime. Ideally, between 4 and 6 months of age, before they go through puberty.

Having your pet spayed or neutered greatly reduces the risk of breast, prostate or testicular cancer. If male dogs are neutered before they hit puberty the will not likely develop the habit of lifting their leg to mark territory or of humping things. It can also decrease their tendency to roam. Female dogs that are not spayed can develop pyometra which is a potentially fatal infection of the uterus and requires emergency surgery.

In the long run it is better for your pet and less expensive for you to have your pet fixed. Please call us today to set up an appointment or ask any questions you may have.

Brachiacephalic Syndrome:

This problem is often seen in Boston Terriers, Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers. Brachicephalic Syndrome consists of everted saccules, stenotic nares, and an elongated soft palate. Surgery can be done to reduce the breathing difficulty that goes along with the syndrome. All surgeries are done with a technician monitoring vitals while the patient is under anesthesia. All patients who under go surgery receive a complementary physical exam and nail trim.

Laser Surgery:

Most surgeries are performed with a Cutting Edge surgical laser. The laser is an intense beam of light that is precisely controlled and replaces the traditional scalpel. The laser can cut very small areas of tissue and seals off all blood vessels while cutting.

Some advantages to laser surgery are: less pain, less bleeding, less swelling, and less chance of infection.