ABC Veterinary Hospitals

See Your Veterinarian to Check Your Pet for Dangerous Parasites

Providing your dog or cat with high-quality food, daily exercise, veterinary care, and lots of love are all important for keeping him or her healthy and comfortable. However, there are a number of parasites that can infest your pet and negatively affect his or her wellbeing. Continue reading to learn about some common external and internal parasites that can affect your four-legged companion.

Fleas One of the most common external parasites is fleas. These small, darkly colored insects not only bite cats and dogs, but can also feed off of other types of pets, as well as humans. In addition to causing irritating welts, fleas can transmit a number of parasites and bacterial diseases to their victims. Constant scratching is a sign of flea infestation in pets, as is “flea dirt,” the dark droppings left behind by fleas.

Ticks Another common external parasite that can affect your pet’s health and happiness is ticks. A type of arachnid, ticks are larger than fleas and can be spotted more easily. Like fleas, ticks will feed off of humans in addition to cats, dogs, and other pets. Ticks can transmit many life-threatening diseases to their hosts, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis.

Roundworms There are a number of intestinal parasites that can affect dogs and cats, and one of the most common is roundworms. These may be passed to puppies and kittens from their mothers, transmitted through the stool of an infested animal, or ingested as eggs in soil or prey animals. Once established in an animal, roundworms will consume the food that the host eats, leading to poor growth, weight loss, and sometimes even death.

Heartworms Another internal parasite that can impact your pet’s wellbeing is heartworms. These worms establish themselves in the lungs and heart of their hosts, and a heartworm infestation can be fatal. Heartworms are generally transmitted through mosquito bites, and signs of infestation include weight loss, lethargy, and a persistent cough. Discuss treatment and prevention with your veterinarian at the animal hospital.

There are measures that you can take to protect your dog or cat from these parasites. To find out more about keeping your pet safe from internal and external parasites or to schedule a veterinary appointment at our animal clinic, call ABC Veterinary Hospitals at (858) 278-1825.

Ask Your Veterinarian About the Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

Have you just brought home a new puppy or kitten? A pet can bring incredible joy to your life, but there are steps that you should take to keep your pet as happy and healthy as possible. One of these steps is spaying or neutering. Take a look below to learn about the benefits that spaying or neutering your pet can provide.

Better Health Both female and male pets experience health benefits from being spayed or neutered. Spaying your female pet will protect her from uterine infections and cancer, and can help prevent breast cancer. You can protect your male pet from testicular cancer through neutering.

Easier Care Spaying or neutering your pet can make it much easier for you to care for him or her. If your female pet is spayed, you won’t have to worry about her going into heat and attracting male suitors to your yard by vocalizing and urinating more frequently. Neutering your male pet will help prevent aggression and make him much less likely to try to escape from your yard and roam the area in search of mates. This means he’ll be safer from hazards like cars and other dogs. In addition, neutering your male dog or cat will make him much less inclined to mark his territory inside and outside your home.

Prevention of Unwanted Litters While puppies and kittens are a joy to interact with, there are many homeless ones that end up as strays on the street or in animal shelters. Many of the kittens, puppies, cats, and dogs that end up in these facilities never find homes and are euthanized. Spaying or neutering your pet will not only help you and your neighbors avoid having to care for pregnant pets, but will also ensure that your pet doesn’t contribute to pet overpopulation.

Having your pet spayed or neutered can help ensure that he or she has a happier and healthier life. If you would like to schedule an appointment to have your pet spayed or neutered, call ABC Veterinary Hospitals at (858) 278-1825 or visit our website. We offer comprehensive veterinary care at our three San Diego locations and can help you take the best care of your pet.

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A Veterinarain Can Help Keep Your Pet Healthy: View These Resources

Your pet is important to you, and at ABC Veterinary Group we want to help you provide your furry friend with the best care possible. We offer great services from our compassionate staff and veterinarians that will help your pet feel great and stay healthy.

• Visit this website from the ASPCA to learn the 10 steps to follow to improve your dog’s oral health.
• The American Animal Hospital Association explains more about your pet’s health and the risks of periodontal disease in this article.
• Check out this helpful schedule from WebMD to learn about when you should vaccinate your dog.
• Learn more about your pet’s dental care and what your veterinarian can do to help from PetMD.
• Read this article from San Diego’s CBS news station about rabies and why you need to vaccinate your dog now.

Call (858) 278-1825 to schedule an appointment today with an experienced veterinarian at our animal hospital.

A Veterinary Hospital Can Examine and Clean Your Pet's Teeth

If you’re like most people, you take the time to brush your teeth twice a day. But when it comes to your pet’s teeth, it’s often a very different story. Bad oral health is one of the leading causes of health problems in pets and can lead to several life-threatening diseases. To improve your pet’s oral health, make an appointment at your veterinary hospital and talk to your veterinarian about proper home care.

Teeth Cleaning at Your Veterinary Hospital: A thorough dental exam and teeth cleaning by your veterinarian is the first step to good oral health. During the exam, the vet will eliminate all the plaque and tartar buildup in your pet’s mouth and check for signs of periodontal disease. After this exam, your veterinarian can talk to you about the best steps to begin at-home pet dental care.

At-Home Dental Care: Like people, pets need their teeth brushed on a regular basis. You should use special pet toothpaste and a finger brush or pet toothbrush. You can get these items from your veterinarian or at your local pet store. Talk to your vet about how to get your companion used to a thorough and frequent brushing routine.

Food, Treats, and Toys: There are many fun and delicious ways your pets can enjoy a treat while cleaning its teeth. When you’re at your veterinary hospital for your dental exam, talk to your vet about getting a food that promotes oral health. Certain cat treats and dog treats and toys are also great ways to reward your pet while also promoting good oral health.

If you haven’t had your pet’s teeth checked recently, schedule an appointment at your San Diego veterinary hospital today. At ABC Veterinary Group, we offer friendly, loving care combined with state-of-the-art technology and treatment options. To schedule an oral health exam for your pet, call us today at (858) 278-1825.