Summer 2010 Newsletter

Allergies

Does your animal scratch to the point where he/she is raw? Does your pet hack and cough constantly? Does your pet have watery eyes?

Just like humans, pets can suffer from allergies. Pets can get allergies through skin contact with the allergen, breathing in allergens, and/or by ingesting allergens.

Possible signs of allergies:

• Scratching
• Licking paws
• Hacking
• Watery eyes
• Congestion
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Treatment for allergies varies depending on the degree of the irritation. Treatments can include the following:

• Remove of the irritant
  
• Antihistamines
  
• Corticosteroids
  
• Immunotherapy
  
• Switching pet food to a hypo-allergenic diet.

If the allergies are consistently bad and we can’t seem to determine what your animal is specifically allergic to, we offer allergy testing.

Flea/Tick/Heartworm Preventative

Now that the weather is getting warmer, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are out. We highly recommend that your pet be on a flea/tick preventative through the warmer months up until the first real hard frost.

Ticks are now carrying more diseases such as Anaplasomis and Ehrlichiosis in addition to Lyme disease. So, it is extremely important to have your pet protected. We recommend Frontline Plus, Advantix, or Advantage depending on your pet’s lifestyle.

We also recommend having your pet on heartworm medications year round. Not only does it protect against heartworm but it also takes care of some internal parasites that your pet may be exposed to.

For dogs, we recommend Heartgard Plus or Interceptor as year round heartworm preventatives.

You might be wondering, can cats get heartworm too? The answer, is YES they can. Unfortunately it is harder to detect in a cat. The symptoms can look very similar to an Upper Respiratory Infection.

If your cat is going to be going outdoors, we recommend using Revoultion as a heartworm preventative. Not only does it protect against heartworm but it also protects against ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms.

Heat Stroke

Now that it is getting warmer, it is extremely important that you do not leave your pet in your vehicle. It can reach over 110 degrees with in 10 minutes.

If you do need to leave your pet in your vehicle make sure that keep your windows rolled down or significantly cracked to allow air flow for your pet.

If possible:

Park in a shaded area.
Leave the AC on in your vehicle.
Make sure your pet has plenty of water available to them.
Do not leave your pet in the vehicle for long periods of time.

Please use extreme caution when choosing to leave your pet in your vehicle.
Your pet could become extremely dehydrated and potentially die if left in a warm vehicle for long periods of time or in some cases short periods of time.

What is new @ Stoneledge?

Dr. McConnell (Dr. Mac) is now working full time at Stoneledge. We are very pleased to have her on board.

Amanda, our receptionist, is now back after being on maternity leave. Amanda and her husband had a beautiful baby girl named McKenzie on March 21, 2010. Please all join in congratulating the proud new mom.

Stoneledge is NOW on FACEBOOK.
Please become a fan!!

Now, selling Pet Odor candles, Furminators, and Kongs.
We also have new treats that are great for hiding your pets medication.

Collars and leashes are on sale while supplies last.
$7.00 plus tax for leashes
$5.75 plus tax for collars.

Gift Certificates now available.