Pet Care

HEARTWORMS - If you live in Mississippi, your pet is most likely to have heartworms, unless on preventive medication. All it takes is one tiny mosquito to transmit heartworms to your dog or cat. Left untreated, heartworms can lead to heart and lung failure, kidney and liver damage, and eventual death.

FLEAS & TICKS - With the advances in veterinarian medicine, your dog or cat does not have to suffer from the bites and diseases transmitted from fleas and ticks. Today, your veterinarian can provide your pet with protection that is applied once a month that will eradicate these pests.

What You Should Know About Vaccinations For Your Pet

Pets, like people, can be protected from some diseases by vaccinations. Your veterinarian is your best source for advice regarding your pet's vaccination needs.

Mississippi State Board of Animal Health requires that all dogs and cats over the age of three months be vaccinated against rabies. A licensed veterinarian must perform this vaccination.

In order to have a healthy pet, additional vaccinations are needed. They include:

• Puppies: DA2MP & Parvo
• Adults: 7 in one shot: DA2PL-CPV-CV once a year + Rabies
• Cats & Kittens: Sellocell, FIP + Feluk + Rabies

Keeping vaccinations up to date will give your pet a better chance at having a long and healthy life. They protect your pet from diseases including distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus.

Summer Time Tips

Summer is a wonderful time of the year in Mississippi; fresh air, sunshine and plenty to do. But along with the fun, the season presents situations that can endanger or kill your pet. Always provide your pet with plenty of cool, fresh water and an area of shade so that they can stay cool.

Pets need exercise even when it's hot, but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours.

Keep in mind that our streets get very hot and can burn you pet's paws.

Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats. Another summertime problem is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over the counter products can be toxic.

Working in your yard. Beware plant food; fertilizer and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A PARKED CAR. Even with the windows open part of the way; the inside of your car can reach 120 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Dogs and cats cannot perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Within minutes of being in a hot car in the summer your pet can suffer brain damage, heatstroke and even death.

 

Signs your Pet may be sick!

Abnormal discharges from nose, eyes or other body openings. Loss of Appetitie, marked weight loss or gains. Excessive water consumption. Most pet owners miss the signs of illness in their pets or attribute them to "old age." Know the signs of disease so you can get help for your pet before it's too late for treatment to be effective.

Additional Links

Proper Shelter for Outdoor Animals

Shelter must be solid. No cracks or openings other than the entrance. It must be wood or heavy duty plastic with no metal interior surfaces.

Entrance should be covered with flexible flap in cold, windy, rainy weather.

Shelter needs bedding. Straw, hay or shavings should be provided. Rugs or blankets should not be used, as they hold wetness and will freeze.

Shelter should be large enough to allow the animal to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably. Small enough to allow the animal to warm the interior with its body heat.

On real cold, windy days, your inside pet will need a sweater when outside.