What we protect against
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes and lives in the heart and lungs. Treatment in dogs is long, expensive, and hard on the dog. In cats there is no approved treatment. Prevention is a monthly chew or a twice-yearly injection.
Fleas cause itching, skin infections, tapeworms, and anemia in small pets. One flea in the house becomes hundreds in a few weeks. Monthly prevention for every pet in the home is the only thing that works.
Ticks carry Lyme, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, all of which we see in Nashville. If your dog hikes Radnor Lake or Percy Warner, tick prevention is not optional.
Intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and giardia are common in puppies and kittens and some can spread to people. We check a stool sample at each annual visit.
How we handle it
At every wellness exam we review what your pet is on, test dogs for heartworm annually, and check a fecal sample. Products go home with you from our pharmacy or ship to your door with autoship through our online store.
Common questions
Does my indoor cat need flea and heartworm prevention?
Yes. Fleas ride in on people and dogs, and mosquitoes come through open doors. Indoor cats get heartworm too, and there is no treatment for it in cats.
What do you recommend for dogs?
A monthly chew or a twice-yearly injection for heartworm, plus a monthly flea and tick product. The doctor will match the product to your dog's weight, lifestyle, and any other medications.
Why do you test for heartworm every year if my dog is on prevention?
Because a missed or vomited dose leaves a gap, and early infection is far easier to treat. The test takes a few drops of blood and a few minutes.