SPRING IS COMING!!!
This means the return of those pesky insects like mosquitoes and fleas.  Both of which can come bearing other harmful parasites like heartworms and tapeworms.  Other parasites your animal is at risk for in the warmer months are roundworms, hookworms, and ticks.

There are many oral and topical products available to aid in preventing and protecting your cat or dog from these parasites, such as:

- Iverhart Plus™
- Frontline Plus™
- Revolution™.......  AND MORE!  Ask your veterinarian or veterinary technician what would work best for you and your pet.  (**product pictures are attached)

For more information regarding the signs and risk of internal or external parasites, you may find the websites below helpful  Or feel free to contact any one of the clinics with any questions.

What is Heartworm Disease (from the American Heartworm Society)


Flea Control (from Veterinary Partner)


Ticks: Arthropod Parasites (from Veterinary Partner)


Intestinal Parasites (from WebDVM)

THE IMPORTANCE OF FECAL TESTING

Bringing in a stool sample every six months may sound gross, but it is beneficial to you AND your pet! Spread by passing wildlife or other dogs or cats, intestinal parasites can hide out in our beloved family pets causing nothing more than diarrhea. However, should these little beasties transmit to a human, they can result in severe GI upset...even blindness. Checking a stool every six months will help find any parasites that may take up residence in your loved dog or cat. They are easily treatable, and your entire family will be safer.

Hip Dysplasia and Large Breed Dogs

Owners of large breed puppies are justifiably worried over the risk that their new puppy will eventually develop hip dysplasia. Large breeds, whether from a kennel, private owner or a pet store are at risk of this crippling disease. It can be very painful, and by the time it is diagnosed and treated the dog has often suffered for weeks or even months. Preventing this suffering has been everyone's goal for many years.

Treating hip dysplasia is expensive. In mild cases aspirin and other pain relieving drugs can be used, but must be given for the life of the dog and are eventually irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. Surgery, which is very expensive and a lot more debilitating to the patient can treat more severe cases. The most common surgical options are:

1. TPO (triple pelvic osteotomy) -- This $1,200-$2,000 per hip surgery cuts and then re-attaches 3 bones in the pelvis to change the angle of the hip socket. Only done early in life (6-10 months of age), there is a loss of range of motion.
2. FHO (femoral head ostectomy) -- This $700-$1,000 per hip surgery removes the femoral head. This surgery results in a loss of the normal hip anatomy, and the larger the dog, the less successful the surgery is.
3. THR (total hip replacement) -- This hip $3,500-$5,00 per hip surgery replaces the abnormal hip joint with a prosthesis. It is only done at specialty and university clinics.

Different surgeons recommend different procedures based on their skill level, instrumentation, age of the pet, severity of the disease, and finances available. The entire process can be very complex, costly and emotionally draining. Most of all, this very painful disease is now largely preventable!

Hip Screening

Testing is now available that can predict which puppies are at greater risk of developing hip dysplasia. Furthermore, a surgical procedure is now available that should allow the hip bones of a puppy to develop and form a better hip joint.

Screening of large breed puppies (over 50lb adult weight) MUST be done before eighteen weeks of age (the earlier the better).

The screening consists of general anesthesia and palpation of the hips. If palpation is positive, this indicates a loose or lax joint. "PennHip" x-ray may be done to provide further verification.

Those puppies that test positive benefit from a procedure (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis) that destroys the growth plate in the pubic bone. This causes early fusing which changes the angle of the hip as the puppy grows, ultimately providing the puppy a much better hip joint. Benefits of the surgery, compared to those required for hip dysplasia, are remarkable. There is very little discomfort after surgery. There is no "bone" surgery and no loss of range of motion of the joint; integrity of the hip joint is maintained. There is rapid healing with few complications. Also, the cost is low when compared with dysplasia surgeries.

This surgery reduces the degeneration of the hip joint beginning at a very early age. The most important factor in its success is the timing of the surgery -----IT MUST BE DONE AS CLOSE TO FOURTEEN WEEKS OF AGE AS POSSIBLE! Early detection is imperative.

Hip screening total cost only $150.00: Office consultation, pre-anesthesia blood tests, isoflurane gas anesthesia, and palpation.

**Dogs that receive JPS surgery should not be bred and spaying or neutering is MANDATORY at the time of the JPS surgery.

Remember: This surgery SHOULD BE DONE AT 13 WEEKS OF AGE OR IT BEGINS TO BECOME LESS EFFECTIVE!!

Call Animal Medical Clinic, Animal Medical Clinic North, or CherryVale Animal Clinic to make an appointment with Dr. Thompson or Dr. Buhl for your puppy's hip screening today.