Preventive Services
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A simple way you can help keep your pet healthy is by protecting him or her against parasites. Heartworms, fleas, ticks, and other internal and external parasites are much more than just pests; they can cause life-threatening conditions in your pet—and cause severe, potentially fatal, health problems for you and your family.
We will recommend the best preventive regimen for your pet, based on lifestyle and risk factors. We can also provide expert advice on keeping your whole household safe from parasitic infection. Set up an appointment with us to discuss parasite prevention, or call us to refill your pet’s medication. Protect your pet and your family today!
We are excited to offer ProHeart 6
We offer a variety of Heartworm preventions, call us to find out more or come on by our animal hospital.
Say “NO” to missed doses – no monthly doses to remember. No pills, or topical liquids every month. Know that your dog is protected.
Now, just a simple trip to East Side Animal Hospital is all that is needed to protect your dog from Heartworm Disease for 6 months with ProHeart® 6. We will even send you a reminder when it’s time for your dog’s next injection.
Fleas can cause problems for pets ranging from minor to life-threatening. You don’t want these blood-sucking parasites on your pet or in your home. We can help keep them away or help you get rid of them if they’ve already found their way inside. Call us to find out how to eliminate and control fleas or to start your pet on a preventive today.
- Fleas cause severe itching, irritation, and allergies
- Fleas can also transmit tapeworms and diseases.
- Fleas can infest dogs, cats, ferrets, mice, and rats.
- Fleascan bite people, too.
- For more information, contact us or see the flea article in the Pet Health Library on our site.
When they bite, mosquitoes can transmit heartworm infection. And those heartworms can wreak havoc on your dog or cat. These parasites can severely and sometimes fatally damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Some pets may not show any signs of infection; in those that do, symptoms can vary widely.
- In dogs, signs of heartworm disease can range from coughing, fatigue, and weight loss to difficulty breathing and a swollen abdomen (caused by fluid accumulation from heart failure).
- Canine heartworm infection can also lead to a life-threatening complication called “caval syndrome” (a form of liver failure)
- Caval Syndrom usually causes death without prompt surgical intervention
- Although often thought to not be susceptible to heartworm infection, cats can indeed get heartworms
- Even one or two adult heartworms in a cat can cause serious problems
- Cats can suffer from a syndrome referred to as heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD)
- Symptoms of heartworm in cats can be subtle and may mimic those of asthma or allergic bronchitis
- Signs of heatworm infection in cats include respiratory distress, such as rapid or difficult breathing, wheezing, and panting
- Other symptoms in cats include coughing, vomiting (typically unrelated to eating), and loss of appetite or weight
- There is no approved treatment for cats
- Some cats spontaneously rid themselves of the infection; others might not survive it
- Heartworm infection is more difficult to diagnose in cats than it is in dogs
- Treatment for heartworm infection is far more expensive than prevention—and it can actually kill your dog
- Administering monthly heartworm prevention can keep your dog or cat safe
- Most heartworm medications also protect your pet against other parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, ear mites, fleas, and ticks
- We can recommend a regimen of prevention for your pet.
Ticks are becoming more and more prevalent in North America, and they’re now being found in areas where people and pets didn’t previously encounter ticks. Even indoor-only pets are at risk because ticks can hitch a ride inside on your clothing or shoes. These parasites aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases.
- Diseases caused by ticks include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and tick paralysis
- Contact us immediately if your pet starts coughing or has joint pain, trouble breathing, fever, weakness, or loss of appetite, weight, energy, or coordination
- Ticks can hide under your pet’s fur, so as an added measure of protection, we recommend checking your pet for ticks every time your pet comes in from outside
- Tick preventives are safe and effective at controlling ticks and the diseases they carry
- Some preventives kill ticks after they’ve come in contact with your pet so don’t panic if you find a tick on your dog or cat
- Call us to get your pet protected today and don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you might have!
