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April is National Heartworm Awareness Month

Did you know that April is National Heartworm Awareness Month.  Is your pet protected? Prevention is the key to avoiding a painful treatment, prolonged recovery, or possible death from heartworm disease.

How do dogs and cats get heartworm disease?  There's only one way - through an infected mosquito bite.  It cannot be spread from one pet to another.  Mosquitoes become infected by biting an animal that has the disease.  The infected mosquito then bites a dog or cat and passes microscopic, infective larvae to them.  If the pet is not on a heartworm preventive all year, the larvae mature and multiply, causing damage to the heart and lungs.

We have been asked if indoor pets can get heartworm disease, the answer is yes.  Mosquitoes can get inside a home, particularly in South Florida as your family and pets are in and out of the home enjoying the beautiful weather.  If only takes one bite for a cat or dog to become infected.  Any exposure to mosquitoes, inside or outside, can put a pet at risk.

The best way to prevent this potentially fatal disease is to use and keep your pet on preventive medicine all year.  It's also important to have your pet tested once a year.  Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about heartworm disease and how best to protect your pet or contact Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center for more information.

Give the Dog a Bone…

A bone is and always will be a special treat in your dog’s eyes. They love bones, big beef bones. You can pick them up at the grocery store when you do your grocery shopping.

Not only does your pet feel extra loved, but the bonus is that while he is chewing and gnawing on the bone, his teeth are getting pearly white.

There are a few precautions to take to ensure that only enjoyment comes from this treat and not a trip to the vet’s office.

Safe bones for your dog:

• Edible bones: hollow, non-weight bearing bones of birds that is soft and pliable. They do not contain marrow and can be crushed in a meat grinder
• Recreational Bones: big chucks of beef or bison femur or hip bone filled with marrow.

Bone Safety:

• Feed them the bone in their crate, outside, or somewhere the bone will not make a mess
• Supervise your pet while he is working on the bone
•  Separate dogs in a multi-dog home

Avoid giving bones to dogs that…

• Have had dental work done (restorative)
• Are susceptible to pancreatitis
• Could possibly attempt to swallow hole
• May be able to bite it in half

When you give your dog a bone, LEAVE HIM ALONE!

Dogs can get very possessive about their bones. Bones are one of those things that will make a dog growl when you try and take it away from him. Bones are a very special treat and your dog wants to enjoy that treat in a relaxing place where he can truly enjoy it.

Possible Dangers include

•  Broken teeth
•  Mouth or tongue injury
• Gets stuck in dogs esophagus, windpipe, or intestine
• Peritonitis
• Constipation due to bone fragments

Our Grooming Services

Did you know that Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center offers professional pet grooming? Our staff maintains a clean, secured and stress free environment for your pets safety and hygiene. Proper grooming not only for aesthetic purposes but adds to your pet overall health. Don't hesitate to contact for a consultation.