At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

There are several factors that help determine the best age for spaying and neutering including your pet’s breed (larger breeds wait longer) and individual health status. Typical spaying and neutering for most pets not used for breeding purposes is usually recommended between 4 and 6 months of age.

Spaying and neutering help with animal population control and prevent unwanted pets. Just as importantly, spaying and neutering can improve the overall health of your pet, and help in avoiding certain reproductive diseases, and some types of cancer.

What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?

Mosquitoes carry small organisms known as microfilaria. When a mosquito bites your pet, this small organism can be transmitted to your pet, causing heartworm disease. All dogs and cats should be protected against this preventable disease. Ask your veterinarian what he or she recommends to prevent heartworm in your pet!

Heartworms are a serious, year-round parasitic threat to your pet’s health. After an infection occurs, treatment is not only very expensive, but can also be life threatening. Heartworms are common in Louisiana, and can infect both our canine and feline companions. Heartworms are spread when a mosquito bites an infected animal and then transfers the microfilaria (juvenile worms) when it bites a healthy animal. Unless your pet is taking a heartworm preventative, these immature worms can grow into adults that can cause serious damage to your pet’s blood vessels, lungs and heart, and may even cause death.

There are several options available for prevention of this potentially life threatening disease. Preventatives can keep your dog or cat healthy and are much less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. Our veterinarian will determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on needs and lifestyle.

How often should my pet have an exam and bloodwork?

At Countryside Animal Hospital, we believe that the best way to prolong the relationship you share with your pet is to identify disease processes early and prevent the progression of chronic illness, before it becomes a problem. To keep tabs on your pet’s overall health, it is important to maintain bi-annual exams and annual blood work. We recommend an examination by your veterinarian annually for healthy pets under the age of 7, and every 6 months for healthy senior patients. Those pets with chronic disease or mobility issues may require examination on a more frequent basis. We also recommend annual blood work profiles to provide a continuous record for our veterinarian to identify trends and specific areas to focus on in an effort to prolong the duration and quality of life of our patients.