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Studies show that dogs and cats age 7 times faster than people and major health changes can occur in a short amount of time. Twice a year wellness exams can help veterinarians diagnose, treat or prevent health problems before they become life threatening. We strongly believe that physical exams should be done every 6 months. As part of the 6-month and annual vaccination program, we will give your pet a thorough physical exam. This allows us to determine the overall physical health of your pet. It also allows us to examine your pet closely for problems that may be considered breed specific. This simply means that certain breeds of dogs and cats are pre-disposed to certain problems. For example, if you own a cocker spaniel, you have no doubt at some time dealt with an ear problem. Our physical examination will help alert you to potential problems, which may occur. The physical exam, however, does not allow us to determine the overall health of the internal organs, but an annual blood screen will do that. This short procedure will detect any liver and kidney problems as well as check for anemia, diabetes, and infections. We recommend this screening for all pets 2 to 7 years of age. If your pet is 7 years or older, ask about our senior care program. As in all health evaluations, early detection is the key as it allows for more and better treatment options. If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
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A major part of your pet's health is oral and dental hygiene. As early as age 2, pets may already have tartar and plaque build-up on their teeth. The veterinarian will be able to determine with a dental exam whether a home health plan or dental prophy/cleaning is needed. Older pets may have advanced tartar build-up and some degree of gum and periodontal disease. The problem begins when plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on your pet's teeth. Plaque harbors the bacteria, which can infect gum tissue and the root system. This often leads to damage to healthy teeth resulting in possible extractions because the root structure has been compromised. A more serious consequence of dental disease occurs when the infection spreads through the bloodstream to other vital organs such as the lungs, heart, and brain.
The first step in improving your pet’s oral health is a complete dental exam. If a dental cleaning is recommended for your pet, a doctor or technician will discuss the procedure with you. Since we have yet to figure out how to get most pets to sit in a dental chair with their mouth open, the procedure will be done under anesthesia. Preliminary blood work prior to the dental is required to rule out any underlying health conditions that might compromise the safety of anesthesia. Older pets should have a more comprehensive blood profile run.
Dental procedures are recommended annually in most cases. Ask us about home dental care and procedures you can perform at home to ensure your pet's oral health.
Signs Of Poor Dental Health:
- Loss Of Appetite
- Bad Breath
- Inflamed Gum Tissue
- Oral Sensitivity
- Tartar And Plaque Buildup
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Today, people live longer, healthier lives than they typically did years ago. In large, part is due to a better understanding of the importance of factors that can influence aging, such as preventative health care and nutrition. Similarly, the dogs and cats that make up such an important part of our lives are also living longer, healthier lives. We are observing that a growing number of our patients are canine and feline "senior citizens." Part of the reason that pets are able to live longer now than a few years ago, is the tremendous advances that have occurred in veterinary medicine. A greater knowledge of diseases, diagnostic procedures, and treatments are available to us today. Perhaps the greatest reason for why animals live longer, better lives, is the increased knowledge that the pet owners have about the importance of preventive health care measures---immunization, parasite control, spaying and neutering, and early disease detection, to name a few.
As dogs and cats age, they, like people, have a greater risk for developing certain diseases and conditions. For example, we know that the incidence of problems, such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, malignant and benign tumors, arthritis, loss of vision, and oral/dental disease increases with advancing age. However, when such conditions are diagnosed in their early stages, treatment to cure such disorders or delay their progress can be given in most cases. For that reason, we recommend that all of our dog and cat patients that are 7 years of age or older, have an annual geriatric evaluation. This evaluation includes a thorough and complete physical examination, a complete blood count, blood chemistry profile, urinalysis, and radiography. When the evaluation is complete and all the tests have been received, we will discuss the findings with you, and advise you of any needed treatment or change in diet.
Just as when people have an annual physical, in most cases the results are normal. Even then, it's good to know that everything is "all right" and the evaluation provides valuable "baseline data" on which to compare future results. If a condition is revealed, you know it has been discovered as early as possible and treatment can be started. Importantly, we can work with you to ensure that your pet lives a long, healthy, and happy life. It's the least we can do in return for all the love that our pets give us.
If you have any questions about our senior care evaluation for your pet for now or in the future---please call us anytime during normal practice hours. We look forward to talking with you.
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Our boarding facility is an all-indoor, climate-controlled facility. Each animal is kept in an individual kennel or run depending on size of pet. Each dog is carried to an enclosed, outdoor exercise area three to four times daily. All animals are fed a well balanced diet or you are welcome to bring their regular diet from home. We provide blankets and towels for all pets to lay on. To prevent loss of a favorite toy or bone, we request that you not bring these types of items. All boarding pets must be current or made current on their vaccinations. The required annual vaccines for dogs are: Rabies, DHLP-P-C (Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Adenovirus-2, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Coronavirus) and for cats are: Rabies, FD/FVR-CP-C (Feline Distemper, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Pneumonitis, Chlamydia) Canine and Feline Bordetella vaccinations are required every 6 months. All pets must be dropped off and picked up during regular office hours Monday through Friday.
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Whitworth Animal Clinic treats any client emergencies as our number one priority. Call our office during our normal office hours and any member of our staff is available to make sure you are put in contact with the proper veterinarian. Our phone number is 256-830-1503.
In an effort to continue to offer top-notch service to our patients and their owners, Whitworth Animal Clinic is a member of the Animal Emergency Clinic of North Alabama, Inc. This clinic provides emergency pet care during any time that isn't our normal office hours, including weekends and holidays. We work closely with this facility to maintain a complete record of your pet's emergency treatment.
The address for the Animal Emergency Clinic of North Alabama is:
2112 Memorial Parkway Southwest • Huntsville, Alabama 35801—
Phone: 256-533-7600
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