County Critters
with Dr. Hotham
Summer is finally here and with it will come increased risk of
disease with our companion animals. To help keep our pets
healthy, consider the following:
1.
Apply/administer monthly flea and tick products to all
animals in your household to prevent flea infestation, flea allergy
dermatitis, Lyme disease and other vector-borne diseases. Use
products recommended by your veterinarian, as they will be the
safest and most effective.
2.
Consider monthly deworming of your dog or cat if it
goes outside. Internal parasites are common and can be picked
up in the soil, excrement, from other animals or by consuming
rodents and other small creatures. Deworming is inexpensive
and my cost you between $4.00 and $9.00 per month.
3.
Consider having your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease.
This is a very complex disease transmitted by ticks. This vaccine
is more effective and very safe now and may be a good idea for
your pet, especially if you don’t faithfully use a monthly product
to kill and repel ticks on your dog.
4.
Have your dog vaccinated for leptospirosis. This is a
bacterial disease carried by infected rodents, raccoons, skunks,
deer and livestock. It is a common cause of serious kidney and
liver diseases. Dogs often get infected by drinking from stagnant
water and puddles.
5.
Black flies and mosquitoes love to feed on dog’s ears and
underbelly. Consider a monthly flea and tick product applied
topically that also repels black flies and mosquitoes or bring
your dog inside during the hours that flies are the worst. There
are also pet-safe repellent sprays that can be applied that work
well too.
6.
Finally, consider vaccinating your dog for kennel cough.
Many of you will be travelling this summer and may find the
need to board your dog away from home. This is an effective
vaccine to reduce the risk or severity of a highly contagious
disease causing coughing and possibly pneumonia.
These are just some basic items for your consideration, which
will help keep your pets healthy and comfortable this summer.
Dr. Hotham is an Aroostook county native and owner of
Hotham’s Veterinary Services Inc., which offers a wide variety
of small and large animal veterinary services.
SUMMER 2010 County Critters 51