Bridgerland Animal Hospital

Heartworms in Cache Valley?

admin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:19:02 +0000

Prior to 2007 the incidence of heartworm disease in Cache Valley was fairly low. Most Dogs that were diagnosed had traveled outside the area and brought it back with them. Since 2007 we have diganosed at Bridgerland Animal Hospital over 50 dogs with the disease. Heartworms are spread from dog to dog by mosquitos, making even indoor dogs at risk for the problem. After getting bit by an infected mosquito, the microscopic immature worms take upto 6 months to reach adulthood and begin reproducing. Prior to maturing the larval stages live in the bloodstream, and move throughout the body. The adult worms tends to live in the heart and large arteries of the lungs. Adults can reach up to 14 inches in length and can cause considerable damage. With enough worms blood flow is impaired and heart function is reduced, but even small numbers can cause significant inflammatory disease in the circulatory system and kidneys. The best way to deal with these parasites is to avoid them all together by preventative medication that kills the larva before they reach their adult size. While dogs are the natural host for these worms, cats may also become infected and have significant disease. In fact, due to their smaller size cats are more affected by fewer worms when an infection does occur. A monthly preventative is the key in protecting our four legged family members.

Spring is almost here!

admin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:49:40 +0000

As the snow changes to rain, we are all getting the feeling that Spring is almost here! For many this means a dramatic increase in activity as we transition from the sedentary indoor lifestyle to an active outdoor one. This also spells changes for our pets. From exploring our yards, to trips to the park or even strenuous running or hiking in the mountains. For dogs, like people, this can be an uncomfortable time as we get back into shape. As you plan your springtime activities remember that the soreness you feel may be doubled or tripled in your four-legged friend, whose nose takes him or her 2- 3 times as far on that hike or as they run beside the bike or ATV. Work up to the strenuous activities to prevent pad blisters or muscle strain. Early moderation in your activities will prevent or minimize many injuries. This is especially important in young large breed dogs. As their bones mature they are susceptible to malformation (dysplasia) when exercised excessively. If you do notice soreness or lameness after exercise remember that the medications people take for sore muscles should not be given to your pets. Ice, massage and rest are ok but OTC medications can do far more harm than good in our pets.

We live in a beautiful place! Have fun together as you enjoy all that Springtime has to offer!

February Is Dental Month

admin — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 22:52:30 +0000

More than just bad breath, poor oral health can lead to more serious disease as well. Contrary to popular belief a dogs mouth is far from sterile and a cats mouth is frequently much worse (thats why dog and cat bites are treated with antibiotics). As our pets’ teeth become covered with plaque and tarter the oral environment deteriorates to a bacterial breeding ground. The onset of gingivitis (red and swollen gums) allows bacteria wider access to the body through the inflamed and susceptible tissue. These bacteria can travel throughout the body in the bloodstream and lead to bacterial colonies forming in the liver, kidneys, heart or lungs. If this should occur, your pet’s health is put in jeopardy. The best way to prevent this unfortunate problem is to maintain a clean and hygienic oral environment. At home preventative measures include daily brushing, dental treats, chews or diets. Eventually, despite your best efforts, most pets will need to have a professional cleaning where the build up of plaque and tarter is removed and the teeth are polished and returned to their previous clean and healthy state. These cleanings usually need to be performed annually to maintain good oral health in most pets. As you take preventative measures to protect against dental disease you will make your pet more enjoyable to be around and improve his or her quality of life.

Microchipping: A Great Idea!

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:39:17 +0000

Pet Identification Microchips are very small (about the size of a grain of rice) transmitters that are placed beneath the skin near the shoulders. Microchips can be placed with minimal stress to your pet even while awake. Electronic scanners receive signals from the chip. A number is assigned to each chip and this number is obtained when the scanner is activated and passed over the animal. Early on, various companies wouldn’t share information with one another. This created a lack of enthusiasm, because if your chip wasn’t readable by another company’s scanner then having a chip was of limited value at best. These problems have all been resolved with chip frequency standardization. For several years now, information sharing has been the norm. Currently when a stray pet presents to our facility we can confidently scan them for a chip and return them to their family with minimal delay. We encourage the use of Microchips for the purpose of returning lost pets and for permanent identification. Microchips are recognized around the world as the standard for pet identification.

Happy Thanksgiving

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:56:54 +0000

We hope you enjoy your holiday! Just a reminder to keep your pets safe. Certain holiday foods, including chocolate, poultry bones, and various rich foods from the table can cause your pet problems. You may see illnesses ranging from diarrhea to pancreatitis to intestinal blockages. To keep your pet healthy, we recommend keeping their diet consistent, and avoid human food. Their treat will be to spend the holidays with you!

Antifreeze Warning

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:48:46 +0000

A couple of scary and sad cases over the last few days to remind everyone to watch out for antifreeze! Even a few licks can cause severe kidney damage and death in our smaller pets. If your pet has had access to ANY antifreeze, call us as soon as possible so we have the best chance of saving them. Because Ethylene Glycol (the active ingredient) is an alcohol one of the first signs you may see is your pet acting drunk. Watch for any sign of green puddles beneath your own vehicles and anywhere your pets spend time. Hope your fall is fun and safe!

Wet Wipes for Your Pets

admin — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:13:35 +0000

Today one can find even wet wipes for pet care, for example eye, ear, or dental cleansing pads (with boric acid, potassium chloride, zinc sulfate, sodium borate) for dogs, cats, horses, and birds. Using these wipes are very useful for pet owners for many reasons. You can use these wipes to give your cat a quick bath without the fight. You can use the wipes to clean off your dogs feet before you let him in the house. You can even use these wipes to clean the insides of your dogs ears with much less hassle than some traditional methods.