Help control the pet population by spaying and neutering.

Benefits of spaying and neutering your pets

Hi everybody!  I have had some discussion with doctors and technicians here at the hospital about having your dog and cat spayed and neutered.  Here are some interesting facts I found out……and just an FYI, spay is for females, neuter is for males.  (Sometimes, I forget thatJ)

Ø  Animals typically behave better, are more calm and loving.

Ø  Dogs and cats can be easier to train.

Ø  It is better to spay females before having their first heat cycle and reduces the risk of breast cancer.  (Did you know that cats and dogs can get breast cancer?)

Ø  Neutered males will not develop testicular cancer and greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer. 

Ø  Neutering decreases the animals desire to roam and wander the neighborhoods in search of a mate.

Ø  Spaying keeps unwanted males away.

Ø  Male cats are less likely to spray urine and mark territory.

Ø  Neutered male dogs are less likely to urinate and mark everything in their path.

Ø  Humans spend millions of dollars as taxpayers to control unwanted animals.

Ø  Spaying and neutering decrease the homeless animal population. 

Ø  12 million cats and dogs are euthanized in the shelters across America each year due to lack of homes.

Ø  About 25% of dogs that enter the shelter are purebred.

Ø  Approximately 61% of dogs that enter shelters are euthanized, as well as 75% of cats are euthanized.

So now you know the advantage of spaying and neutering your pets! Please check out the link below from our website about our surgical procedures and contact us for getting your pet spayed or neutered.  http://cordovavet.com/site/view/110215_SurgicalFAQs.pml

Taking care of your old timers....pets that is!

Hello all! This blog is dedicated to all the wiser (also known as older) patients here at Cordova Veterinary Hospital. I see a lot of patients come to the hospital for preventative care exams, some are older and some are younger. I had a lengthy discussion with some of the technicians and doctors as to the importance of regular visits to the veterinarian for our senior patients. Here are some of the points I would like to share with you:

Old age is not a disease! Older pets are more at risk to serious and progressive diseases, such as kidney, liver or heart disease. Senior pets should have twice yearly exams with the Veterinarian as well as blood work and urine samples that act as an internal exam for the patient. This way a problem can be caught early before it advances into a big problem with limited medical options.

Anesthesia can be safe for older pets! Since our hospital requires blood work prior to any anesthetic procedure, whether it be a routine dental cleaning or a mass removal, safer anesthetic protocols are made to accommodate our senior patients. (Although anesthesia can be risky for a pet of any age, we take every precaution necessary to help out our patients)

Don’t wait until the last minute! We dogs and cats age four to 10 years faster than our human counterparts, depending on breed and size. This means any disease can rapidly evolve that much faster if left unchecked.

Age related problems! Some specific diseases are age related. However many are overlooked because owners may feel that nothing can be done. Symptoms such as decreased activity, urinary or fecal accidents, bad breath and decreased appetite can be managed. If your senior pet(s) are exhibiting these difficulties, make an appointment today to have them addressed.

So there you have it! Just because pets are older doesn’t mean they don’t deserve anything but the best medical treatment…………. and loving treatment. Have a great week!!

*This blog was also helped by Healthy Pet magazine, Fall 201

News about Heartworms!!

Hello all!

I was abruptly awoken from my slumber in my favorite cabinet this morning. It contains the towels the technicians use for the day…I really enjoy the warm ones straight from the dryer! It was a little dog crying briefly while having her blood drawn for a heartworm test. Although it only takes less than a few seconds to get 3 drops of blood for the test, the techs informed me that the small amount of pain is much better than contracting heartworm disease and going through the painful and long treatment.

Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and we all know how annoying mosquitoes are, especially when they get inside the house! Heartworm disease can be fatal if left untreated. Cordova Veterinary Hospital recommends yearly heartworm tests of dogs even if they are once monthly preventative. Our hospital offers three types of heartworm preventative to choose from that are easy to give. The technicians gave me two very informative websites to share with you, so you can learn more about heartworm disease.

http://www.sentinelpet.com/ This website covers information about heartworms, fleas and other internal parasites.

http://www.dogsandticks.com/ This website covers information about heartworm disease, tick born diseases and also provides a great map showing where heartworm and tick borne disease are most prevalent.

So come in today to get your dog heartworm tested and to go home with heartworm prevention! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Have a great week!!

Betty's very first blog!

Hello all and welcome to my very own blog here at Cordova Veterinary Hospital! Let me introduce myself as Betty Crocker, the resident 3 legged hospital cat. A Good Samaritan found me in early 2008 on the side of Bradshaw off ramp, pulling myself along the dangerous road. They quickly rushed me over to Cordova Veterinary Hospital to have me examined. I was found to have multiple pelvic fractures as well as nerve damage in my left rear leg. A lot of effort was put into trying to save my left rear leg but after several months and many leg splits later it was decided to have my leg removed. Luckily Dr. Gates liked me so much that I became the live-in hospital cat. I received my namesake given that I would “make biscuits” during my care.

I am usually in the back with the technicians, as I like to stay up to date on the treatments, surgeries and dental practices of the day. I also enjoy any treats handed out by the techs, even though they are few and far between as I am on the Chub Club to lose weight. Most of my time is spent observing and checking out the cupboards for good hiding spots. Everyone loves a furry face to great you when a cabinet is opened!

So stay in touch with our blog and I will keep you current on the latest happenings here at Cordova Veterinary Hospital!!