1. Why does my pet have to be de-wormed?

De-worming your pet is important for many reasons. First, some parasites that infect cats and dogs can also be transmitted to humans. There are thousands of cases each year where children have been infected with pet parasites. In the most extreme cases these infestations can result in blindness.
In pets, internal parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, perforation of the gut, intussusception of the intestine and even death.
It is recommended that adult cats and dogs be de-wormed at least twice a year. Younger pets and pets that hunt should be de-wormed more frequently. A yearly fecal test is recommended to test for the presence of giardia and coccidia , in addition to the more common intestinal worms.

2. How long do I have to treat my pets for fleas and ticks?

Years ago, fleas and ticks used to be a problem from May through October. For the past few years we have clients reporting fleas almost year round. We recommend starting with a topical flea and tick product such as Advantix, Frontline or Revolution, before you start to see the infestation. A single flea can lay 20,000 eggs in her lifetime, and nothing kills flea eggs. You must continue treatment for 3-4 consecutive months, so that when those eggs finally reach the adult stage, there is still product on your pet to kill them. Fleas can live in a dormant stage for up to two years without food, until a host appears to feed upon

3. How old does my cat or dog have to be before it is spayed or neutered?

We recommend spaying or neutering at four and a half to five months of age. Pets that are done at a young age have an easier time with the surgery, and a quicker recovery. We like to schedule the surgery for four weeks after their last distemper shot so that they are fully protected when they come into the hospital. We also recommend microchipping at the time of the surgery, so the chip can be implanted while your pet is under anesthesia.

4. What about vaccinating my pet?

Vaccinations play an important role in the prevention of diseases that your pet could come in contact with everyday like rabies, distemper, parvo virus, feline leukemia, kennel cough and leptos pirosis. Your pet's lifestyle and age are taken into consideration when we tailor a specific vaccination schedule for your pet.

5. What about my pet's dental care?

When tartar and plaque build up, bacteria accumulates on their teeth and gums. This bacteria can enter the bloodstream and move to the kidneys, liver, lungs and heart and cause serious infections. At Cheshire Animal Hospital we offer general cleanings, radiology and extraction surgery to keep your pet's teeth in tip top shape. If you have any questions about your pet's dental health, please feel free to give us a call.

6. Should I be concerned about heartworm?

Heartworm is a deadly, but preventable disease that can affect your dog or cat. To keep your pet safe, we can prescribe a monthly preventative along with annual tests to ensure that your pet is heartworm free.

7. Do you offer acupuncture therapy for pets?

Cheshire Animal Hospital is proud to offer acupuncture to our patients. Acupuncture provides pain control by the insertion of very thin flexible needles into specific points on the body. These treatments can help alleviate the stress of arthritis and other muscle related ailments. It is a very safe and effective treatment that can be used along with the appropriate western medical therapy.