Video Archives New videos and articles added all the time!! CLIENT EDUCATION For Cats Administering Medication Allergies Basic Health Care Behavior Bereavement  Disease & Vaccinations Ear Care Eye Care Household Dangers Osteoarthritis Pre/Post Operation Seizures Ticks & Fleas Traveling With Your Pet Your Senior Cat For Dogs Administering Medication Allergies Basic Health Care Behavior Bereavement Canine Heartworm Disease & Instestinal Parasites Dental Care Disease & Vaccinations Ear Care Eye Care Household Dangers Obesity/Slentrol Osteoarthritis Porphyromonas Vaccine Pre/Post Operation Seizures Ticks & Fleas Traveling With Your Pet Your Senior Dog LINKS natvetlab.net for bartonella information. petemergencyfund.org for Pet Emergency Fund donation information. vet.ohio-state.edu/indoorcat for cat behavior information. petsandparasites.org for parasite information. catwellness.org for cat wellness information. www.aplb.org for pet bereavement information. www.purevax.com for purevax vaccination information. capcvet.org for technical parasite information. petwellness.com for novartis products and parasite information. growingupwithpets.com for a parents resource for raising happy kids with healthy pets. www.purinaveterinarydiets.com for more information on the diets  we offer for your pets. Did You Know? click above link for interesting facts and information CASE OF THE MONTH SIGNALMENT: Name: Smokey Age: 2 Years Sex: Male/Neutered Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix HISTORY:   Smokey was presented for his 6 month wellness exam  after recently being adopted from a shelter. He had a normal physical exam but the owner noted that he coughed sometimes upon exercise.   DIAGNOSIS: A routine annual Heartworm Test was run on a blood sample obtained from Smokey. The test was positive for the Heartworm Antigen. Due to the positive test results, a complete blood screen, as well as x-rays, were performed to classify his stage of the disease and prepare him for treatment. The blood screen showed no significant findings. On X-ray, his heart was normal sized but there was a bronchiole pattern in his lungs. These diagnostic tests put Smokey at a class 1 of Heartworm Disease. SOLUTION: The treatment of Heartworm is with 2 injections of a Heartworm adulticide medication, given 24 hours apart, to kill the adult Heartworms. Smokey was to be hospitalized for the 2 days and observed closely for any adverse reactions and to restrict his activity. After the 2 days, he was sent home on antibiotics and a plan of strict rest and no exercise. He was also to use Heartworm prevention every month to kill any larval stages of Heartworm and to prevent re-infection during the treatment and his lifetime. PROGNOSIS: Since Smokey was staged at a class 1 for Heartworm the treatment is effective. With the medication given, strict rest, and year round monthly Heartworm preventative medication, he will be able to live a normal, healthy life. OUTCOME: Smokey was treated 5 months ago for the Heartworm Disease and has been doing very well with few side effects. He recently received another blood test to test for larval stages of Heartworms to see if the adult Heartworms are dying or continuing to reproduce. The test result was negative. COMMENT: Heartworm Disease is transmitted from the bite of an infected mosquito and can cause coughing, weight loss, heart and lung damage, and death. Annual Heartworm testing and year round monthly prevention needs to be used on all dogs to prevent this disease. The Heartworms and the treatment can be dangerous to dogs and it is safer to prevent the disease than to treat it. Photo Source: http://www.cbu.edu/~seisen/ParasitesOnParade_files/image025.jpg