Archive for the ‘Flea and Tick Control’ Category

Dog Allergy Testing

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Dog Allergy TestingJust like people, dogs have allergies, and it can leave them feeling miserable. Problem is, most people with allergies are able to head to the local doctor or drugs store and grab something to bring them relief. Dogs are at the mercy of their human companion to not only recognize it, but to also do something to help relieve it!

There are several things that can cause dogs to have allergies, including something in their food, something in their air or outdoors, or even the material that their food dish is made out of. Some dogs are actually allergic to the plastic used for their food and water dish, while others may have problems being around the fibers that make up their bedding.

Luckily, there is something that can usually be done about dog allergies. To find the culprit, your veterinarian can perform dog allergy testing. This will help determine exactly what it is that is bothering your dog and help to determine the best route to relief.

There is a variety of dog allergy testing methods that can be used, depending on what you or the veterinarian may suspect is the cause, including skin and blood tests, intradermal testing, and the elimination process. Skin, intradermal, and blood tests are all helpful in identifying something that may be making your pet have such dog allergy symptoms as itching, sneezing, redness, swelling, and coughing. Food allergies are generally determined through a process of elimination, but your veterinarian will work closely with you on this.

If your dog suffers from allergy symptoms, from something you suspect in the environment or in the food, contact the veterinarians at Pet Doctors of America. They serve the entire Jacksonville area and have extensive experience in providing dog allergy testing. Contact us today and be well on your way to bringing relief to your dog!

Heartworms in Dogs

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Heartworms in DogsLiving in Florida, we all know what a nuisance mosquitoes can be for humans. But did you realize that they can actually be deadly to your dog? It’s true! Those pesky little misquotes that buzz around and annoy us are actually responsible for transmitting the heartworm larvae!

Heartworms in dogs live in and grow in the right side of their heart and can also infiltrate the large blood vessels. While they are busy doing that, their larvae are floating around in the dog’s blood, and when a mosquito bites an infected dog, it becomes a carrier and transmitter of the disease. When they bite the next dog, they inject the dog with the Dirofilaria immitis, or heartworms.

In the United States, heartworms have been identified since 1847, and pet owners of cats, dogs, and other animals have been trying to prevent them ever since. Once a dog gets heartworms, it can lead to large blood vessel obstructions. Many dogs never show any symptoms that they have heartworms living in their heart, but some may have a decreased appetite or an unexplained weight loss.

As veterinarians, we have several options for testing for heartworms in dogs, including blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, and antigen testing. There is medication that can help eliminate the heartworms, if they are discovered in time. The best defense against heartworms in dogs is prevention. To help keep your dog healthy and free of heartworms, there are a variety of medications that your veterinarian can prescribe.

In the Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach area, our veterinarians are experts at helping to prevent and address heartworms in dogs. Contact us to arrange for a consultation or with any questions you may have. We have the information, expertise, and tools you need to keep your dog heartworm free and healthy!

Flea and Tick Prevention Tips

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Flea and Tick Prevention and ControlFlea and tick problems can be a major headache for both pets and people! There are over 2,000 different types of fleas alone. Once your pet has them, it can be a real task to try to get rid of them. That’s because their eggs are usually lying around in various places, just waiting to hatch and wreak havoc!

If you live in the South it is essential to try to prevent flea and ticks from making their home on your pet. In the Jacksonville, FL area, it is a major source of concern and one that lasts year round.

Keeping your pets properly groomed is one way to help prevent an infestation. By keeping your pet and home clean, you will have a much greater chance of catching them as soon as they enter. You can also use a flea comb on your pet each day to try to get out any that it may have come in contact with. This could be especially helpful if they have been outdoors a lot or around other dogs.

Another important preventative measure for keeping fleas and ticks away is making sure your pet is in good health. This way, their immune system will be better able to fight off reactions that they could have to the insects.

Walk the aisles of any pet store and you will find a plethora of flea and tick products. But we strongly advise that you seek the advice of our veterinarians before using them on your pet. Many contain insecticides that can be toxic to your pet, such as permethrin, even though it has been approved for use. Furthermore, fleas and ticks have become resistant to many of the over-the-counter products.

At Pet Doctors of America, we can help you safely prevent and defeat fleas and ticks. We serve the entire Jacksonville area and can help you with your flea and tick prevention and control! Contact us today to see how we can help keep your pet safe and healthy.