We see dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, iguanas, snakes, sugar gliders, ferrets, pocket pets, and other exotics and special cases.  Contact us if you have a visitation concern.  Our doctors are well researched in avian and other exotic species, and our accommodations for these unique animals are of great quality. 
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Heartworms are roundworms that, as the name suggests, live in the heart and also the lungs of mammals. But this is only at two stages of their lifecyde. Heartworms begin their life in the pulmonary (lung) arteries of a mammal, typically a dog, as microfilaria ("little worms", the LI stage) and quickly make their way into the circulatory system of their host. A mosquito takes a bloodmeal from this infected animal ingesting microfilaria at the same time. In the dog, microfilaria not ingested by a mosquito will, over a 2-3 year period, die; they will not mature past this stage of life. In the mosquito the microfilaria go through two molts, into the larval (L3) stage, and then migrate to the mouthparts of the mosquito. The mosquito takes a bloodmeal, depositing the larvae onto the animal. The larvae make their way into the bite wound left by the mosquito and into the tissue of the animal. Over the next 190 days the larvae go through two more molts, becoming immature adults, the L5 stage, at which point they migrate into the venous system and to the heart and pulmonary artery. Once they reach the heart they mature fully and mate (if both sexes are present), producing microfilaria, and the cycle begins again. Microfilaria are not typically seen in infected mammals not in the canine family.
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Dogs with heartworms will typically have a cough that is especially noted after exercise. They may also become listless, lose weight and cough up phlegm that may or may not contain blood. Cats with heartworms may have asthma-like symptoms, but are most often diagnosed on a post-mortem exam. Symptoms alone, however, are not enough to determine whether you pet is infected or not. Your veterinarian will draw a blood sample from your pet to run one or two tests. One test examines the blood for microfilaria directly under the microscope. Microfilaria will not be seen in blood from dogs taking a heartworm preventive, and may be missed if there is a small number in the circulatory system. Another test detects antigen, a protein produced by adult worms, in the blood. Because cats will have very few adult worms there is a blood test specifically designed for cats, which detects antibody, the cat's response to heartworms of all stages, in the blood. Antigen and antibody tests may be performed either at the clinic or your veterinarian may choose to submit the blood to a laboratory for testing.
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Your veterinarian can prescribe a preventive designed specifically for the weight of your animal and whether he or she is a cat or a dog. Depending on the part of the country in which you live, your veterinarian may prescribe year round preventive or may recommend preventive only between the first thaw and the last freeze of the year. Dogs and cats on a preventive should be tested annually. You can minimize mosquito populations by ensuring your property is well drained and cleared of stagnant water.
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After the dog is diagnosed as heartworm positive, your veterinarian will typically take a chest x-ray to determine the severity of the infection. The severity will determine the course treatment. Your dog will then be admitted into the hospital to have the heartworm treatment medication administered. If after 4 months an antigen test is negative, your dog is assumed to be free of worms. Dogs that are infected can be safely put on a preventive to prevent additional infection. Currently, there is not an approved treatment for heartworm infection in cats. They are typically treated symptomatically and put on preventive to prevent additional infections.
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Protect your pet from the dangers of holiday plants, which can be poisonous to both pets and humans: Easier lilies, hotly, mistletoe, and poinsettias.  Other common houseplants that can hurt your pet include philodendron, dieffenbachia. Jerusalem cherry, yew, caladium, spider plant. airplane plant, cyclamen, foxglove, dragon tree. azalea, rhododendron, mother-in-laws tongue, and ivies.
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To detangle your pet's fur, sprinkle a bit of cornstarch on the mats.  This will help to silken the hair and ease out the tangle. (back to top)

During shedding season, brush your pet daily. It will help keep your house cleaner and your pet cooler. At other times of the year, a good brushing at least weekly will help prevent matting, remove loose hair and will stimulate the skin.
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To trim your cat's claws, press its paw gently so the whole length of each claw is exposed. Using a quality nail trimmer designed for use on cats carefully cut just the tip of the nail avoiding the quick (the pink area).  If you are unsure of where the quick is, hold your cats paw up to the light.  You will be able to see the portion of the nail that you can safety dip without nicking the quick.  If you have any questions whatsoever about trimming your cat's claws, please ask us to show you how.
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Pet ownership is a large responsibly, but the rewards are plentiful.  Although it is perfectly acceptable to have a pet if you are away from your home daily, we recommend the adoption of a smaller breed.
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Yes. We make every effort to return calls from our clients on the same day as they were received. Our technicians are also able to answer your questions or address your concerns.
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Neutering your pet is one of the best things you can do for him/her. Intact female dogs and cats can suffer from infections of the reproductive system as they get older, while male dogs and cats can suffer from prostate problems. Cancers of the reproductive system are difficult to detect and spread quickly, and the risk to the intact dog or cat of developing such cancers increases with age.
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To provide the optimal commitment of time to you and your pet we work on an appointment basis. We have evening and early morning appointments to fit your busy schedule. Please call if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
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To provide the optimal commitment of time to you and your pet we recommend that you schedule an appointment for your pet so we can promptly serve you. We will also, however, treat your pet on a walk-in basis, but calling first is still recommended.  If it is more convenient for you, you may drop your pet off in the morning for examination and treatment and pick it up later the same day.  Just as we make every effort to see each of our clients according to schedule, we appreciate a phone call from you if you are unable to meet your appointment with us.
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Yes, you can.  Just inform the receptionist of your preference when making an appointment.
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A "teaser" is a female dog in season. The presence of an estrous female will increase your dog's libido resulting in a better quality ejaculate. Many dogs have been collected without the use of a teaser but often 30-50% more sperm cells will be released when a suitable estrous teaser is used. Please let us know if an in-season female is not available and we will discuss other options with you.
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To start, visit http://www.healthypet.com.

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