Health Tips & Information

Did you know, one vaccine shot doesn't protect your puppy or kitten? Vaccines need to start at 6 weeks and be boostered every 3 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks old for puppies and 12 weeks old for kittens. Every puppy and kitten should have at least 3 boosters regardless of their age. Here are some of the diseases that vaccines and preventatives protect against:

¿Sabía usted, un tiro vacuna no protege a su cachorro o gatito? Las vacunas deben empezar a las 6 semanas y se boostered cada 3 semanashasta que tengan al menos 16 semanas de edad para cachorros y 12 semanas de edad para los gatitos. Cada cachorro y gatito debe tener almenos 3 boosters, independientemente de su edad. Estas son algunas de las enfermedades que las vacunas y preventivos proteger contra:

Canine Parvovirus

Parvo is a highly infectious virus that affects unvaccinated dogs of all ages. It is transmited through feces and can live in the environment for very long periods of time. Primary symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and if left untreated - death. You can prevent this tragic illness from affecting your dogs by following a simple vaccine protocol. We recommend starting when your puppy is between six and eight weeks old, boosting every three to four weeks until at least sixteen weeks old, and annual vaccines throughout the lifetime of your dog.

Canine Heartworm Disease

Heartworm is a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitos, lives in the heart and arteries of the lungs, and is fatal if left untreated. Because of New Mexico's dry environment you might think that your risks are reduced, but due to our proximity to the Rio Grande and irrigation ditches, our clinic continues to see and treat heartworm positive dogs every month. Yearly testing is the first necessary step in preventing heartworm from affecting your canine companions. Once we know the heartworm status of your dog we can help you decide which of the many preventative options is best for you and if treatment is required we can help.

Feline Leukemia & Rhinotracheitis

Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV) is a retrovirus that is spread from one cat to another through bite wounds, contact with infected urine or feces, and from a mother cat to her kittens either in the womb or during nursing. It causes several maladys in cats including cancer, blood disorders, and immune deficiency similar to human HIV virus. Infected cats will often show symptoms similar to Feline Rhinotracheitis infection. FELV is one of the more common diseases we see in cats at our clinic and is easily preventable with a simple vaccination.

Feline Rhinotracheitis is another very common viral disease we see at our clinic. It is transmitted from cat to cat through contact with eye or nasal discharge, saliva, or contact with infected objects such as food or water bowls. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, eye and nasal discharge, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the inner eyelid), fever of up to 106'F, eye ulcers, and loss of appetite. This disease, as well as several others, can be prevented with regular vaccinations and wellness exams.

Show Your Pet Some Love With Healthy and Safe Snacks!

Like buying candy for kids, we often think snacks that have been specially packaged for pets are the best treats in the world. Why would they want anything other than a tasty treat? But, a lot of those packaged pet snacks and treats are the equivalent of candy. They are not a big deal, as long as you don’t do too much of it, since they are mostly devoid of nutritional value.

Please find below a brief list of healthy treats that have been found to go over well with a lot of pets, followed by a list of foods you will need to avoid.

What is the best way to feed these types of treats?

The foods should be baked or steamed, cut up into smallish pieces, and only given in small amounts at a time. This will prevent both choking and an overload of carbohydrate- and calorie-rich foods. You can give the vegetables and fruits by themselves, or you might mash or puree them and mix them up with the prepared food and given at meal times.

Replacing your pet’s dense, high fat packaged treats with healthy treats like fruits and vegetables will be one of the most beneficial things you do for your pet. Over the long term, your pet’s health and immune system will be stronger, aging will not be as severe, its weight will stay steadier, and if weight is already an issue, you may even see your pet’s weight become more manageable -- if you stick to it and include moderate exercise.

With any change in diet, it is important to observe your pet for issues that can arise in response to the change. If your pet begins to show digestive or behavioral changes, stop feeding the new foodstuff and consult with a veterinarian if the problem does not go away in the absence of the added food.

Yes Treats

Apples - without seeds or core (apple seeds contain chemical compounds that are poisonous to animals)

Blueberries

Strawberries

Watermelon without Seeds

Frozen Bananas

Green Beans

Carrots

Sweet potato – cooked, cubed or mashed without butter or seasoning; regular potatoes are also good, but in limited amounts since they are high in sugar and can increase weight

Squash

zucchini

Lettuce

Spinach

Popcorn - Unsalted and Unbuttered

Catnip or Cat Grass

No Treats

Grapes and raisins - contain chemical compounds that are toxic to dogs

Garlic and onions – both have chemical properties that can be toxic, and even life threatening to dogs and cats

Tomatoes

Avocados

Mushrooms, especially wild mushrooms

Fruits with pits, such as peaches, cherries, and plums – in some cases the pit can be toxic, or can simply present a choking hazard

Nuts – particularly macadamia nuts, which are toxic to pets

Luna tries to wait patiently for her watermelon.

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