Why does my dog’s breath smell so bad?
Most often bad breath is caused by dental or periodontal disease. Some dogs do not adequately chew their food; thus they don't clean their teeth naturally by the chewing process. Also, some dogs and cats are just prone to dental plaque, tartar and disease. These pets may need more frequent dental cleanings and treatments.
Internal diseases such as kidney disease can also cause bad breath. A trip to your veterinarian is recommended in order to pinpoint the cause of your dog's bad breath and to ensure he is in good health.

What is the normal temperatures for my dog or cat??
Dog: 37.5-39.3 degrees Celsius
Cat: 37.5-39.3 degrees Celsius
*Temperatures under 37.5 degrees and over 39.3 degrees warrant a call to your veterinarian.

My cat rarely goes out......does it need vaccinations?
There has been much controversy in recent years over the necessity of vaccinations, especially in cats. The general belief among veterinarians is that the lenth of immunity given by the vaccines (after the initial booster set) is likely longer than one year, in all probablility being closer to three or four years. The problem is is that there has not been a lot of research to support this. Most of the veterinary research comes from the vaccine companies themselves who have not done studies beyond one year, and who therefore do not label the claims of their vaccines for any longer than that.
The veterinarians at Prescott Animal Hospital will evaluate your pet on a case by case basis, given the age, health and lifestyle of your pet. This evaluation will be made at your pet's yearly physical exam. The physical exam is the most important aspect of your pet's health, no matter which vaccines are given or not given.

What is parvovirus?
Parvovirus is a dangerous virus that attacks dogs’ intestinal tracts. It can cause severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and electrolyte imbalances and can lead to severe dehydration, a buildup of toxins or poisons in the bloodstream, and eventually death. When puppies under 12 weeks old are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems.

Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal, or object that comes in contact with a infected dog’s feces. The virus can survive extreme heat and cold for long periods of time, and may remain alive on a surface long after the feces has been removed.
There are many ways you can protect your dog from parvovirus. Most veterinarians recommend multiple vaccinations for growing puppies. As dogs get older, their immunity is maintained with annual booster shots. Use a solution of one part bleach to thirty parts water to clean areas frequented by other dogs, and use the solution on the soles of your shoes if you think you’ve walked through an infected area. If your dog experiences vomiting, severe diarrhea, depression, or loss of appetite, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Though there are presently no drugs to kill the virus, there are treatments proven to control its symptoms


Is a heartworm test required for my dog?
Heartworm is a mosquito borne parasite that is transmitted during the time an infective mosquito is feeding. Not all mosquitos transmit heartworm. Within a given geographic area, only a few of the many species of mosquitoes present are significant vectors. There is a simple blood test available for dogs that can detect the presence of substances released from the surface of the microfilariae (the 'baby' worms). Not all dogs are at equal risk of becoming infected, and therefore, not all dogs require a test before getting their medication each year. Any dog that has travelled outside of our relatively low risk area, did not receive all of their medication last year or has not had at least one heartworm test in their lives, needs to be tested. If you have any doubts, please contact our hospital to discuss your dog's circumstances with our staff. Remember that it is much easier and cheaper to put your dog on preventative medication yearly than to treat your pet once they have the disease.

 Why do I sometimes need an appointment to renew my pets medication?
Just like at your own Doctor, many times prescriptions cannot be renewed without first being seen. Regulations set out by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario state that all animals must have been seen by a veterinarian within the previous 12 months in order for any type of medication to be dispensed. This allows the veterinarian to examine your pet and get a complete medical history from you to make sure that circumstances haven't changed and that the medication is still the best one for your pet. In the case of certain medications, blood tests (but not necessarily a physical exam) are required more frequently than yearly, sometimes as often as every three months, before more medication can be renewed. Your veterinarian will discuss requirements with you if your pet is to be on any medication longterm. When phoning us to get a prescription renewed, please try to give us at least 24 hours notice so that we may discuss this with the veterinarian and get back to you as soon as possible if your animal needs to be seen.

What is microchipping?
A microchip is a tiny computer chip that has an identification number programmed into it. The chip is encased in a smooth, biocompatible glass. This chip is about the size of a grain of rice, and therefore small enough to fit into a needle. The microchip is injected under the animals skin, and little skin adhesions form, keeping the chip in place. Once your pet is injected with the chip, they can be identified thoughout their life by their unique number. A special scanner is used to read the chip and obtain your pet's number. The identificaiton cannot be lost or unintentionally removed. In this way, if your pet is ever lost or stolen, any veterinary clinic or animal facility that has a scanner will be able to scan found pets, call the company and have your pet returned to you.

When can I spay/neuter my pet?
Although there are exceptions to every rule, the Prescott Animal Hospital recommends spaying or neutering your pet at about 6 months of age. If you have specific concerns and feel surgery should be done sooner, please contact one of our veterinary staff to discuss this.

Is there such a thing as pet insurance?
Yes, there are a number of pet insurance companies available to you to insure your pet. They all have specific plans and policies. In order to find out which is best for your pet, you must decide how much coverage you want and research the different options.

Can I give my dog aspirin?
Never give your pet an over the counter medication before checking with your veterinarian. Although aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) can be used in dogs as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, we do not recommend it for long term use. There are much safer and more effective medications made specifically for dogs. These products are less likely to cause stomach ulcers and other serious side-effects. Aspirin and other over-the-counter pain relievers should never be used in cats.

Why is chocolate bad for dogs?
Chocolate toxicity is a well known problem with dogs and cats. The ingredients which cause the most problems are theobromine and caffiene. As the amount of toxin varies with the type of chocolate and amount ingested, signs can mild to lethal. The clinical signs of chocolate toxicity include, but are not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea, tremours, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias and possibly death. It is important to keep candies and cookies containing chocolate away from your pets. But if they do consume chocolate, go immediately to your veterinarian as early treatment can increase chances of a successful recovery.