"Prevention of diseases are always more cost effective and safer then the treatment." Elisha Horovitz DVM PC
To ensure a long and healthy life for your pets, preventative care provides a vital tool. Simple procedures such as vaccinating your pet and testing them for heartworm disease ANNUALLY are just a few steps you can take to ensure a healthier life. Here are just a few answeres to some of our most frequently asked questions about preventions and diseases that can be prevented.
Why are vaccinations vital for your pet?
There are no satasfactory treatments for some infectious diseases, which can be fatal to your cat or dog. In the absense of vaccination or if the interval between vaccinations is too long, your pet may be unprotected against these diseases. We at the ACMP would be happy to consult with you about the proper vaccination scheduale for your pets.
What is Feline Leukemia (FELV) ?
FELV affects the immune system so that the cat cannot fight off infections. Cats infected with this virus are also more susceptible to developing cancer. It is transmitted from cat to cat, so if your cat goes outside or if you have a multi-cat household, early vaccination can be very important in prevention of this fatal disease.
What is FIV?
FIV is a retrovirus like HIV that causes AIDS in humans. FIV is not contagious to people, but it is a very contagious and sometimes fatal disease of cats for which there is no known cure. At this time, the ACMP offers a vaccination for this disease.
What is Lyme disease?
This spirochete, which is spread through a tick bite, is most commonly associated with joint disease. It may appear as a sudden onset of lameness or muscle stiffness. Recurrent bouts of disease may occur. Although this disease also affects humans, there is NO direct dog to human transmission.
What is Rabies Virus?
Rabies can affect all warm-blooded animals, as well as humans. Rabies attacks the brain and is always fatal. Vaccination is the key to controlling this deadly disease. In New York State, annual rabies vaccinatioin is the law.
What is Heartworm disease?
Heartworms are parasites, which cause a potentially deadly infection of the heart and lungs. Over 250,000 dogs in the US were reported positive for Heartworms in 2004. Heartworms live in the hearts and lungs of infected dogs and cats. Yes, cats can get it too. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, which transmite larvae from infected dogs to healthy dogs and cats. If left untreated, heartworm disease may be fatal to your pets. At the ACMP, we reccomend to test your pet annually, and use heartworm prevention year round. The ACMP recommends HEARTGARD PLUS monthly chewables for heartworm, roundworm, and hookworm infections.
How can we prevent fleas and ticks?
Although there are many forms of flea and tick prevention, the ACMP recommends FRONTLINE PLUS, as it is 100% effective and is also waterproof, protecting your pet against both fleas and ticks.
*Senior Health
As our beloved companions get older, they will need more care and attention. They may require more trips to their Doctor as well. We at the Animal Clinic of Marine Park understand that need, and meet it with our senior care program. This program includes annual senior health profiles and bi annual physical exams. The senior health profile includes a total body function test that gives us information about your pet’s health. It helps us track the quality of life and the integrity of your animal’s organs. This test also includes a Thyroid profile as well as a Urinalysis. These tools are utilized in
Pre-screening for developing conditions that may be easily treated if caught at an early stage.
All pets over seven years of Age are considered seniors. The statement that for every human year is equivalent to seven for your dog is very close to true. The size of your dog also helps determine age and life expectancy. Our goal at the A.C.M.P. is to give your companions the longest, healthiest and most active lives for as many years possible. It is up to the owner to allow us to achieve this goal.
If your pet is over seven years old, feel free to give us a call and ask about our senior care program. We will even grant you a 15% discount off your senior pets first visit. Call us today.