It is our privilege and responsibility as your pet’s primary care giver to educate you on the importance of flea and tick prevention. Flea and ticks are external parasites that can cause extreme discomfort and serious illness in our furry friends and even people!

Visit our online store today for Flea and Tick products that are reasonably priced and guaranteed from a reputable source!

TICKS are closely related to spiders, scorpions, and mites. Being bitten by ticks can be extremely painful and irritating to our furry friends.

One main issue with ticks are the diseases they can transmit, such as: LYME DISEASE, BABESIOSIS, ANAPLASMOSIS, EHRLICHIOSIS, AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER. These diseases can cause illness and possibly death in both our furry friends and people

Tick Prevention Tips:

• Perform “Tick Checks” at least once a day, especially if our furry friends have access to wooded or grassy areas
• Keep grass mown short and bushes cut back around house
• Ticks enjoy moist areas, remove any piles of debris around the house

FLEAS can be found almost anywhere and infest our furry friends most often during warm and humid conditions such as mid to late summer. Fleas can cause:

• “Flea allergy dermatitis” (FAD), a severe allergic reaction making our furry friends have severe itching and inflammation which results in damaged skin.
• Transmit parasites and bacteria disease such as: tapeworms and cat scratch fever; bartonellosis to humans.
• Fleas can weaken animals by removing a lot of blood through feeding.

Flea Prevention Tips:

• Flea control products commonly administered topically. However, some products only  protect against adult fleas, it is best to have the doctor recommend a good product.
• Remove flea’s from pet’s environment including other animals, house, and yard. A good cleaning, vacuuming, and throwing out old bedding will help.

Forgotten Felines

It is our job as your pet’s primary care giver to educate you on the importance of yearly check ups for your cats. With yearly physical exams, diagnostic tests, and preventative care our feline companions increase the chance for a longer life because we may detect problems before it’s too late.

Cats outnumber dogs as owned pets, however on average, only 35% of veterinary visits are feline.

Bring your feline companion in for a physical exam in April and receive a “Feline Wellness Kit” & 20% off our Feline Wellness Blood Panel!

Common illnesses (to name a few) our feline companions may develop are:
Kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, leukemia, diabetes, upper respiratory infections, chlamydia, bladder stones, etc!

Felines are very good at hiding illness, which is why there is such a decrease in veterinary visits. Some signs your cat may be ill include:

• Bloody urine or accidents outside of liter box
• Increased drinking and/or urination
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea, bloody stools, or constipation
• Sneezing or nasal discharge
• Runny eyes or holding one eyelid shut
• Difficulty Breathing
• Limping or inability to use hind legs
• Unusual lumps, bumps, or swelling
• Bad breath or excessive drooling
• Hiding around the house

We understand felines become stressed very easily and may make the trip to Lancaster Pet Clinic a hassle. Try some of the following ideas to help relax them before their visit:

• Order “Feliway” through our online store - a synthetic analogue of the feline facial pheromone, helps calm them during travel.
• Add lavender essential oils to the blanket in their carrier - should help with relaxing them.
• Leave the carrier out a few weeks prior to appointment with treats - they can become more comfortable with it in advance.

During your pet’s visit we will supply a towel with Feliway to help keep them calm throughout their visit!

Intestinal parasites can cause serious illness or even death to our furry friends, as well as, infect humans; especially children.

• Fecal flotation and Giardia testing identify intestinal parasites and allow the doctors to determine the best treatment for our furry friends and help with full recovery.
• Children are usually less careful with personal hygiene. Thus, more likely to put their dirty hands in their mouth; and more likely to play in dirt, grass, or sand. You never know who has been playing in the sandboxes too!
• No single medication, such as a basic deworming, is effective against all possible parasites.

Hookworms Infection may occur through ingestion or skin penetration (commonly absorbed through the feet). Severe infection can cause, but not limited to, abnormal diarrhea, abnormal growth, anemia, weakness, &weight loss.	Roundworms Transmitted through pet’s feces. The egg develops through the outdoor environment and then becomes infectious. Severe infections can damage the lungs, liver, and brain. Sometimes there are no signs.
Whipworms Most common in dogs. Pet’s become infected by the whipworm egg which can only be seen under a microscope. It’s as easy as your dog walking where an egg is present and then licking their paws.	Tapeworms Infection occurs by pet’s swallowing a flea that carries tapeworms. Not extremely harmful, but can cause an upset tummy, cramping, itchy bottoms and excessive gas.

Some pet’s may experience diarrhea or other clinical signs, but many pets lack all symptoms. The only way to identify and treat infected pets is to test them periodically for evidence of infection by Fecal flotation and Giardia testing.
All information extracted from articles found on DVM 360.

When should our furry friends have Fecal flotation
and Giardia testing?

For the best control over internal parasites, according to Antech Diagnostics, Parasitology Experts recommend:

• Two to four times per year for puppies and kittens
• One to two times per year in adult dogs and cats receiving broad-spectrum heartworm preventative medication
• Two to four times per year in adult dogs and cats NOT receiving broad-spectrum heartworm preventative medication
• More frequent testing may be necessary depending on lifestyle factors and your pet’s health

Schedule your pet for a Fecal Flotation Anaylsis in the month of March and receive a FREE DEWORMING at the time of your visit!

Lancaster Pet Clinic has also decided to extend our February Promotion through the month of March!!!!

FREE Full Mouth Dental X-rays with the
purchase of a Professional Dental Cleaning!

Without routine dental care, most dogs and cats develop periodontal (dental) disease by 3 years of age

• Periodontal disease is the most common health problem in dogs and cats.
• Bad breath may be a sign of periodontal disease in your pet.
• Providing routine dental care for your pet can be easy and can benefit your pet’s oral and overall health.

Our furry friend’s health is important to us!

February is Dental Health Month

Your pet will receive a
FREE FULL MOUTH DENTAL X-RAY
with their “Professional Dental Cleaning”
in the month of February!!

Without routine dental care, most dogs and cats develop
periodontal (dental) disease by 3 years of age

• Periodontal disease is the most common health problem in dogs and cats.
• Bad breath may be a sign of periodontal disease in your pet.
• Providing routine dental care for your pet can be easy and can benefit your pet’s oral and overall health.

What You Need To Know

Bad breath in pets may be a sign of periodontal disease that could lead to other health problems. Periodontal disease starts when plaque (a bacterial film) coats the tooth. Plaque hardens (calcifies) into tartar, a thick yellow or brown layer on the teeth. Tartar can irritate the gums, creating an environment where bacteria thrive.

As the disease progresses, the gums become tender, red, and swollen and the bacteria continue to multiply. Eventually, the inflamed gums pull away from the teeth, creating pockets that trap more bacteria and food particles. The gums bleed, the roots of the teeth may become exposed, teeth may become loose, and your pet may feel pain when eating. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can create problems for organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Signs of Dental Problems

• Bad Breath
• Sensitivity around the mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Yellow or brown deposits on teeth
• Bleeding, inflamed, and withdrawn gums
• Loose or missing teeth
• Pawing at the mouth or face
• Difficulty chewing

Click here to see more photos

All the above information was extracted from the Care Guides in our Pet Portals under Dental Care, © 2001-2011 Vetstreet.

We can save your pet’s life, Trupanion can help protect your life savings!

One out of two pets will experience a major injury or illness in their lifespan. Last month one of our very loved furry friends “Cadence” (seen above) needed herniated inter-vertebral disc surgery. The specialist’s needed a deposit of $2,000 in order to begin surgery on Cadence. Cadence’s Mom did not have that kind of money up front and was hoping the specialist would accept good faith that her pet insurance company (Trupanion) would pay when the procedure was over and the invoice was final.

When this good faith was not allowed, Cadence’s Mom was unable to proceed with the surgery that would save his life! When Trupanion was contacted about this, they determined it was a quality of life issue and decided to go the extra mile and FedEx’ed a check for the surgery deposit of $2,000 to VCA All Care.

December alone, Trupanion has paid over $6,000 for Cadence’s medical claims. You can never expect the unexpected, & Trupanion is there for your and your furry friend’s best interest!!

Click here (pdf file) to read Cadence’s “Mom’s” story!

Number 1: Decorations

While holiday decorations can make a home feel more festive, they can be tantalizing traps for pets. Your clients should keep decorations and ornaments higher up on trees so they’re not consumed by pets. If a pet decides the colorful garland or tree trim might make a tasty snack, they can and will get stuck in the pet’s intestines, necessitating immediate surgical removal. Also, exposed cords from electric lights can cause electrocution or oral burns if chewed.

Number 2: Gift Wrap

When it’s time to pull all the gifts out of hiding to be wrapped, your clients should make sure their pets aren’t in the room while they spread out all the wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons. “If a cat starts gnawing on the ribbon, it will literally ‘stitch’ the cat’s intestines together as it’s being passed through the gut,” Dr. Pasternak says.

Number 3: Holiday Feast

While turkey and ham make up the majority of traditional holiday meals, turkey and ham bones can become lodged in the pet’s intestines if swallowed in large pieces. Tell your clients not to offer table scraps to pets. Cats and dogs could become seriously ill or even choke to death.

Number 4: Flowers

The poinsettias your clients use as holiday centerpieces are also toxic to most household pets if they’re chewed and swallowed in large enough quantities. “The level of toxicity is completely proportionate to the size and weight of the pet, but instead of doing the math on that equation, it’s better for clients to choose other types of floral arrangements that don’t endanger their pets,” Dr. Pasternak says.

All information extracted from DVM360 article on 4 holiday hazards to warn veterinary clients about.

In honor of Pet Cancer Awareness Month, Lancaster Pet Clinic is is offering a Senior Wellness package!

Schedule an appointment today and your Senior pet will receive:

• Physical Exam
• Comprehensive Profile
• Fecal Exam
• X-rays

for $350.00! (Normal cost for these treatments is $470, you save $120!!)

Taking a trip to the veterinarian: $350
Early disease diagnosis & treatment for your loved ones: PRICELESS

Important Pet Cancer Facts:

• Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year.
  Source: Veterinary Oncology & Hematology Center
• Cancer is the number one natural cause of death in older pets.
  Source: Veterinary Oncology & Hematology Center
• Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans.
  Source: AVMA.org
• One in four dogs die of cancer.
  Source: MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
• Over 50% of the dogs over age 10 will die of cancer.
  Source: DogTopics.com
• Just like in humans, cancer can occur in virtually any part of your dog’s body.
  Source: DogTopics.com
• Approximately 1 in 4 dogs develops a tumor of some kind during his lifetime.
  Source: AVMA.org
• The cause of cancer in pets, just like people, is largely unknown.
  Source: Veterinary Oncology & Hematology Center
• Common risks of obesity in pets include many forms of cancer.
  Source: PetObesityPrevention.com

Source: http://www.petcancerawareness.org/facts.html

Our practice is now providing FREE individual Pet Portals for your pets.

These portals will allow you to:

• Request and track appointments
• Check your pet’s vaccination and exam status
• Shop our Online Store with home delivery
• Order prescription refills
• Receive medication reminders
• Access answers to your pet health questions
• Receive important medical alerts

ACTIVATE YOUR FREE PET PORTAL TODAY WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!
Simply click on the pet portal link on our website.