Over population is one good reason to spay or neuter your pet.  A male gets neutered and a female gets spayed.  Another reason to spay or neuter is because unless you are a reputable breeder, it is likely poor genetic traits will be passed on.  Some poor genetic traits are; dysplasia, allergies, aggressive behavior, and heart problems.  These just name a few.  Another reason is because our pets will not miss their reproductive organs. Plus, spaying or neutering your pet can help curb unwanted behavior and decrease the likelihood of developing medical conditions in the future, such as, prostate cancer or mammary cancer.  So please, have your pet spayed or neutered.

Intestinal parasites are very common among dogs and cats and easily treated.  However, if not addressed then the animal may become sick.

Not all cats need to be declawed and almost never does a cat need to be declawed on all four limbs.  The younger and smaller the cat the better, healing time will be easier and faster.  Declawing is a full surgical procedure that recovers removal of the nail by physically cutting it away.  The cat will be sore for a few days and will need to stay overnight with us for two nights.

We offer free nail trims

Kittens generally outgrow the clingy, running up your pant leg phase.

A healthy mouth is a very important part of your pet's overall health.  As tartar accumulates on the teeth, bacteria start to colonize under the gumline. This leads to bacterial showering into the bloodstream which can lodge in the heart, kidneys, liver, and other organs and cause severe and even fatal health consequences.The bacteria under the gumline also start to work their way down the tooth root, eventually  causing loose and abscessed teeth.  By keeping your pet's teeth clean, you can prevent these problems, and can enjoy his or her healthy fresh breath!

The rate of progression of dental disease  varies widely among dogs and cats. There are individual and breed variations.There are certain breeds genetically prone to early and advanced dental disease, such as poodles, schnauzers, chihuahuas, collies, and dachshunds. These breeds often need yearly cleanings starting at about 2 or 3 years of age. Other dogs may be able to go several years between cleanings. Certain cats have a genetic disposition to a disease where the body starts to resorb the tooth at the gumline, leading to severe pain and eventually the loss of the tooth. Dental health is one of the important parts of the regular check up your pet should receive at least yearly. Your veterinarian can help you decide on a good home care dental program and how often your pet might need professional cleaning.

At Woodmoor Veterinary Hospital we have the same ultrasonic scaling, polishing, fluoride treatments, and dental xray capabilities as most human dentists.  Unlike human dentists, however, our patients won't sit still for complete cleaning and oral exam!  Therefore dental cleaning does require general anesthesia. We keep the anesthesia as light as possible, just enough for them to be lightly asleep to allow us to be thorough in our dental exam and cleaning, and for any extractions that may be needed for loose or abscessed teeth.

For dental procedures, please plan to drop off your pet in the morning and pick him or her up in the afternoon.

Animals age faster than people do and it is up to us to take care of our aging pet.  Please read this for more information.

Vaccinations are an important part of your pet's health.  There are many disease of dogs and cats that are highly contagious and some life threatening.  It is safer and easier for your pet, your pocket-book, and the emotional stress to vaccinate your pet for the necessary vaccines and when they are due.  Also, if your pet becomes infected then this  exposes other animals as well.  So please vaccinate your pet.

Check out these documents for more information:
Vaccinating Cats
Vaccinating Dogs
Vaccinating Puppies

Yes, microchipping your pet is a form of identification.  This is a simple insertion of a microchip under the skin of your pet; it will not cause any harm to your pet.  A scanner can then read the identification number so that if your pet is lost and picked up by the Humane Society, they will scan for a microchip.  The microchip company will contact you so it is very important to keep your contact information current.  Most veterinary professionals have their owner microchip scanner as well.  However, you must register your pet with the microchip company in order to be in their system.

Whenever your pet eats something that he/she should not have, always contact the veterinary hospital.  If need be, we will refer you to Animal Poison Control.  Some items may cause no harm while other items can kill.  Remember, your pet physiology is different from ours.  Just because we may eat something does not mean your pet can.

See the section below "What should I NOT let my pet eat and why?"

 

 

 

 

These are the most likely holidays that can cause problems with your pet:

• New Years:  This holiday can be loud and disturbing to your pet.  Be sure your pet is secure within the house and cannot runaway due to fear.  Keep snacks out of reach or you may end up with a pet having an upset stomach, bloated stomach from too much food, and diarrhea.
• July 4th:  This holiday is very loud and disturbing.  Even the calmest of pets may become nervous.  We hear about more lost pets at this holiday time than any other.  Your pet may run in fear, possibly straight into traffic.  Don't let this happen.  Secure your pet inside.
• Halloween:  There is a lot of yummy candy and chocolate lying around.  Make sure it is all out of reach, including the wrappers that have been thrown in the trash.  Plus, all the costumes may be upsetting to your pet.  And always keep your pet inside at Halloween time; unfortunately, this is a time when people tend to do strange and harmful things to animals.
• Thanksgiving:  All the food!  Every dog's dream, probably even some cats.  A grab from the table here, dropped food there, all the handouts from guests.  If your pet is part of the party then make sure too much of a good thing is not going to your pet.  If you know this will be too difficult at party time then consider boarding your pet for the night, weekend, or week.
• Christmas:  Christmas is much the same as Thanksgiving and the same precautions should be followed.  Other things to watch for; decorations and presents that may be opened by the dog and eaten.  Watch out for the tinsel. Tinsel is very appealing to cats and also very bad.  Your pet may play with tinsel and end up ingesting it.  Animals never intentionally eat something harmful to them, it just happens.  We recommend that any household with pets should not decorate any part of the house or tree with tinsel.

No!  Many medications that we take for ourselves may harm or even kill your pet.  In fact, never give any mediation to your pet without discussing it with a veterinary professional. Even if you have more than one pet and have medication for one and not the other. Thinking and knowing what medication needs to be given are two different things.  A medication that may have helped one of your pets may do absolutely no good for another pet or even make matters worse.  If your pet is given or ingests any kind of medication call a veterinary professional immediately or contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680.  Please note, there is a fee for their services.

Any time your pet is not acting normal we recommend you call us immediately.  A number of things may be going on.  It could be as simple as he/she doesn't like how the furniture was rearranged to something very severe.  Don't we all wish our pets would talk to us?  The veterinarians and technicians know what to look for and what questions to ask.  Don't be shy, this is what we do and are always here for you and your pet.

• Chocolate:  We all know our pets shouldn't eat chocolate.  The darker the chocolate, the more harm it can cause your pet. Chocolate can cause elevated heart rate, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Onion: Can cause anemia
• Grapes/Raisins: Can cause renal failure
• String:  Creates an intestinal bundling; surgery is required
• Pennies:  Causes zinc toxicity
• Ant/Mouse/Rat poison:  Can cause a bleeding disorder
• Antifreeze:  Causes renal failure; One lick is all it takes
• Nuts: Renal disease
• Avocado:  Organ failure
• Garlic:  Anemia
• Any food item may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, and/or pancreatitis.

Deodorizing recipe to help if your pet is sprayed by a skunk:

1 qt. Hydrogen Peroxide
1 cup baking soda
1 tsp liquid soap
Lather in and then rinse thoroughly