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Yes, it is that time of year again. When the weather starts warming up so do our favorite little bugs and parasites. Now is the time to get your pet started on their preventative care to keep our pets healthy all year long. Our biggest concerns this time of year are Heartworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, Ear Mites, Fleas, and Ticks.
 Heartworm is a disease transferred by mosquitoes. Heartworms live in the hearts and lungs of dogs and cats. If left untreated it can be fatal. Treatment for Heartworm is expensive and difficult. It is much easier to prevent Heartworm by using a monthly preventative. We recommend Heartgard Plus for dogs/puppies and Revolution for cats/kittens.
Roundworms are year round parasites that spread to dogs and cats through an environment contaminated with feces of infected animals. Roundworms live in your pet's intestine and cause diarrhea and other problems. It is possible for Roundworm to spread to people, and especially children, in the same manner. You can protect your pets and your family all year with Heartgard Plus for dogs, and Revolution for cats.
Hookworms are also a year round problem in this area. Both dogs and cats can be infected if they ingest eggs or larvae in contaminated feces or soil. Hookworms cause many similar problems as Roundworms and are prevented in the same way. Like Roundworm, Hookworms can also cause problems in people. Using monthly Heartgard Plus for your dogs and monthly Revolution for your cats will help to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Ear Mites can affect both dogs and cats, but are more damaging in cats. Ear Mites feed on the ear lining and cause irritation and brown crusty debris. Revolution will help keep this nasty parasite off your cats.
 Fleas are a nuisance for pet owners and a horrible discomfort to pets. They can cause itching and hair loss to the skin and can quickly infest an entire household. Pets can pick up fleas just from being outdoors (and especially from interacting with wildlife like the dog pictured!) By using Frontline or Advantix on your dogs, and Revolution on your cats you can keep this pesky bug from irritating your pets.
Ticks are a big problem for dogs during the summer months in this area. Certain ticks can carry diseases like Lyme and Ehrlichia. Advantix and Frontline are two products that will kill ticks within 24-48 hours and thus help prevent them from spreading any diseases.
Spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your pets. With the right preventative care you can feel comfortable knowing that your pets and family are protected. If you have questions or need to purchase any of these products please call our clinic. More information on these products and the parasites they protect against can be obtained at...
Heartgard: www.heartgard.com
Revolution: www.revolutionpet.com
Frontline: www.frontline.com
Advantix: www.k9advantix.com |
Traveling With and Without Pets |
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As spring approaches, thoughts of traveling to warmer destinations fill our mind.  Whether you are heading on a spring break trip down South, or have a cabin up North, March often marks the start of Spring and the start of the travel season.
Before doing any sort of traveling with or without your pet make sure that your pet is up to date on vaccinations and parasite control. You should also microchip your pet so they have a permanent form of identification. For more info on microchips see the above article.
TRAVEL WITHOUT PETS
Spring break trips to places like Florida and Mexico are not very conducive to bringing pets along. If you plan to leave your pets at home make sure to plan ahead. There are many options for pet care.
1. Boarding Facilities: If a boarding facility is the best option for your pet make sure to schedule in advance as these places get full very quickly.
When you pack for your pet's stay make sure to include the following:
-Plenty of their own food, and instructions for feeding
-Any medications they are on, and instructions for
administration
-Special bowls, blankets, and toys
-Contact numbers for you, your veterinarian, and an
alternate contact
Boarding facilities come in all shapes and sizes and it is a good idea to check out your options ahead of time. Try to show up unannounced and ask to see the boarding areas. If you are not happy with what you see, hear, and smell then keep looking.
2. Pet Sitters: Pet sitters are a great option if you prefer to keep your pets in your home while you are gone.
Pet sitters often have the option of in-home visits or in-home stays. To learn more about Pet Sitting options click here.
3. Board With Friends: If you have friends or family that like your pets this is often a good option. Just make sure to plan ahead so you know your pets will be welcome in their home. Pack the same things you would if you were boarding.
Remember that not all animals automatically get along so if your friend has their own pets it is wise to do a trial run first to make sure that everyone can cohabitate well.
TRAVEL WITH PETS
If your travel plans include your pet then make sure your pet will be welcome where you are going. Plan ahead and verify accommodations for your furry friends.
Bring with your the following:
-Medications
-Pet First Aid Kit
-Medical Records, including vet records and microchip info
-Signed Health Certificate from your Veterinarian if traveling
across state lines or internationally
-A leash, harness, and kennel
-Food and water for your trip plus enough for a few extra
days
-Bowls, litter boxes, and cat litter as needed
-Toys and bedding as needed
When you arrive at your destination the first thing you should do is find the number  of the local veterinarian and/or emergency clinic in case your pet gets injured or sick while you are traveling.
Whether your travel plans include bringing your pet along or leaving them home make sure to plan ahead so their "vacation" will be just as relaxing as yours. | |
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When pets are lost, the main reason they aren't returned to their owners is because no identification is on the animal. Nationally, only 16 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats ever find their way back home.
All pets should wear collar tags imprinted with their name and the phone number of their owner or veterinarian, but tags can come off.
Tattooing pets with a number - often the owner's social security number - is another method of identifying pets, especially dogs. However, veterinarians and pet rescue experts say tattoos can blur over time, making them difficult to read, and they can be altered. It’s possible that duplicate tattoo numbers exist.
A microchip provides a permanent form of identification with a unique number that cannot be altered. It is an quick, easy, inexpensive way to make sure that your pet can be identified if ever lost.
The microchipping procedure is simple and similar to administering a vaccine. The microchip comes preloaded in a sterile applicator and is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades.
Once microchipped, should your pet ever become lost or stolen, places such as veterinary clinics, shelters, and police stations have microchip scanners that will read you pet's unique ID number.
Once a microchip number is found, the microchip company will be contacted. With that unique microchip ID number, they will be connected with your contact info, as well as your veterinarian's info and an alternate contact that you choose. This way, no matter where or when your pet is found, they will be able to reach someone.
Microchipping is safe, easy, and inexpensive. It can be done anytime at Carver Lake Veterinary Center. Call today to schedule your appointment!
Learn more about microchips and read testimonials here. |
Minnesota Veterinary Convention a Success! |
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The first weekend in February marked the annual veterinary convention hosted by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) and the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians (MAVT).
Veterinary professionals from around the Midwest traveled to Minneapolis to take part in a weekend full of learning.
 On Thursday night, Carver Lake's very own, Dr. Kate An Hunter, was honored at the MVMA's President's Dinner. Dr. Hunter had served as the president of MVMA for the past year. Carver Lake's team all joined her at this dinner as she was recognized for all of the hard work she had done for the organization. Comedic entertainment at the dinner was provided by Carver Lake's accountant, Deb Harrington.
Friday and Saturday of the convention were packed full of educational lectures and labs. Many of Carver Lake's team attended these and gained lots of information and ideas. Some of the highlights included lectures and labs on physical therapy, vaccinations, rabbit care, and dental disease. Not to mention entertaining lunch and dinner meetings with Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald from Animal Planet's Emergency Vets!
The convention was a huge success and we all learned quite a bit! Our team here at Carver Lake continually strives to stay up to date on the latest advances in veterinary medicine. Veterinary conventions are a great way to do just that!
Learn more about the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association here.
Learn more about the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians here.
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2201 Ventura Drive