PET TALES
Newsletter from Countryside Veterinary Service
MARCH 2008
JUST THE FACTS:
2007 was a bad year for heartworm positive cases at Countryside Veterinary Service.
Here are the numbers of cases we have had in recent years.
2002: 14
2003: 9
2004: 18
2005: 5
2006: 6
2007: 15
Over half of these cases had to be euthanized due to their advanced disease. Please help us to keep these numbers down by using year round heartworm prevention and testing yearly.
ANOTHER FACT:
Ancient Egyptians believed that "Bast" was the mother of all cats on Earth. They also believed that cats were sacred animals.
WHAT IS HEARTWORM?
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a fairly large worm up to 14 inches long
that, in adulthood, lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected
dog. Dogs acquire this infection through mosquito bites as mosquitoes readily
pick up larval heartworms from infected dogs and carry them to new dogs. Some
geographic areas have severe heartworm problems while other areas have none. In
order for the parasite to establish its presence in an area, the following
conditions must be met:
* Types of mosquitoes capable of carrying larval heartworms must be present.
* The weather must be warm enough to allow heartworm larval development within the mosquito.
* There must be infected dogs (or coyotes) in the area.
* There must be vulnerable host dogs in the area.
When these conditions come together, an area becomes endemic for heartworm disease.
HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE GUARANTEES:
The makers of Heartgard, Revolution, and Interceptor will pay for Heartworm treatment for your pet if found to be infected IF the following requirements are followed:
1. Preventative must be given monthly year round
2. A heartworm test must be performed once a year
3. Preventative MUST be purchased through a licensed Veterinarian
*Other restrictions may apply*
A HEART QUOTE FOR HEARTWORM MONTH:
“A dog is the only thing that can mend a crack in your broken heart" ~Judy Desmond
MAIL-IN REBATES:
Both Heartgard and Interceptor offer a $5 mail-in rebate if you buy a year supply at one time. Ask Janet at the front desk for the coupon and an extra copy of your receipt to mail in for the rebate.
HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVES AT A GLANCE:
Name: INTERCEPTOR
Dosage: Based on weight
How Given: Chewable tablet
How Often: Monthly
Other Parasites Affected:
1. Treats and controls roundworms
2. Controls one type of hookworms
3. Treats and controls whipworms
Name: HEARTGARD
Dosage: Based on weight
How Given: Chewable soft meaty treat
How Often: Monthly
Other Parasites Affected:
1. Treats and controls roundworms
2. Treats and controls all hookworms
Name: REVOLUTION
How Given: Topical placed between the shoulder blades
Dosage: Based on weight
How Often: Monthly
Other Parasites Affected:
1. Kills adult fleas and eggs
2. Kills the American Dog Tick (only labeled for one type of tick)
3. Treats and controls: Ear mites & one type of mange
4. In cats only – Treats and controls roundworms and hookworms
Name: ADVANTAGE-MULTI
How Given: Topical placed between the shoulder blades
Dosage: Based on weight
How Often: Monthly
Other Parasites Affected:
1. Kills adult fleas
2. Treats and controls: Ear mites in cats
4. Treats and controls roundworms and hookworms, and whipworm
ANOTHER HEART QUOTE FOR YOU:
“A meow massages the heart” ~ Stuart McMillian