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Welcome to McCleary Animal Hospital
Heartworms, Fleas & Ticks......... OH MY!!!
Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms that live in the heart, and blood vessels that supply blood to the lungs of infected animals.
Pets can contract heartworm disease from mosquitoes that are infected with heartworm parasites. When an infected mosquito bites an uninfected dog, it injects the immature worms into the tissue of the animal through its saliva.
Once injected, the immature worms develop, migrating to the lungs and potentially the heart, where they mature into adults and begin to reproduce. These worms can grow to a length of 15-30 centimetres, and in severe cases a dog may be infested with hundreds of worms. Mature worms produce thousands of larvae that can then be spread to other dogs or cats by mosquitoes.
The infestation can result in damage to the heart, lungs and liver. The pet may die as a result of severe damage to the internal organs.
Heartworm is a disease that poses a serious threat to pets in Canada and the United States, and especially to dogs. The good news is that it can be easily prevented through regular testing and the use of preventive medication.
Just like in human medicine, blood work is extremely important for your pet as well. It is a valuable diagnostic tool that allows Dr Paterson to see what is going on inside your pet's body. Blood work lets her to see things such as indicators of liver disease, kidney disease, and diabetes, as well as a variety of other conditions.
These problems are not easily detected, so you can see the importance of routine blood work for your pet. A lot of these problems are also preventable or can be successfully treated or controlled if caught early, giving your pet a longer and better quality life.
You might be asking why blood work is needed for a pet that is already healthy and acting normally. However, blood work is actually just as important for healthy pets as ill ones. Blood work allows Dr Paterson to see the underlying problems in a healthy pet, meaning she can treat and prevent any conditions before they have a chance to manifest themselves. Blood work also helps Dr Paterson detect slight changes in your pet's body chemistry that can lead to health problems.
Don't wait until your pet becomes afflicted with a condition, stay on top of your pet's health by catching diseases and conditions before their symptoms start causing trouble. Like mentioned above, many health problems can be treated and prevented more successfully if detected early through testing such as blood work.
Usually, blood work includes a CBC (Complete Blood Count) and a urinalysis for a complete diagnostic profile. All three tests are powerful ways to give Dr Paterson a base of information on your pet's overall health, and should be a regular part of checkups.
If you see any changes in your pet's behavior such as increased thirst, increased urination, or weight loss, that may be a sign that your pet needs blood work. Remember that blood work catches underlying problems, so you can help prevent health issues from becoming more serious or even life threatening.
Your pet can't tell you why he or she is not eating or where it hurts. Oftentimes blood work will tell Dr Paterson the problem to address quickly, so don't forget the importance of routine blood work and diagnostic testing. It can be the difference between adding years to your pet's life and saying goodbye to your beloved friend too early
Don't Forget to Book Your
Bestfriends In For Their Spa Day
The holidays are just around the corner, don't forget to make reservations for your best friend while your on vacation
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