National Responsible Pet Owners Month

The month of February is National Responsible Pet Owners Month! Animals have been our companions for thousands of years, whether it be cats, dogs, horses or even cows. Owning a pet is great fun, but also a great responsibility. 

Here are some tips for being the best pet owner you can be:

Make sure your pet is getting a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

Different types of animals need different types of diets, which means it's your job as a pet owner to make sure the food you're giving your pet is right for them. Obesity in animals is very common but can be detrimental to your pets health!

Bring your pet to the vet for regular checkups.

Bringing your pet in for a checkup at least once a year is essential in making sure your pet is healthy and happy. Your vet will check for any signs of illnesses that you may not be aware of!

Make sure your pet is groomed and has good hygiene.

All pets need regular baths and haircuts, but some breeds might need to be groomed more often than others. Keeping clean ears and teeth should also be a regular routine to keep dental disease away!

Pet-proof your home.

Sometimes, we don't realize the things in our own homes could be potentially dangerous for pets. Some house plants can be poisonous to pets if eaten, so always be cautious of what your pet could get into!

We hope these tips have inspired you to become the most responsible pet owner ever!

Sources: Morris Animal Inn National Today 

Why You Won’t See Your Dog's Heartworm Symptoms, Until it’s Advanced

Posts by: Dr. Mike Paul, DVM

Dog Diseases & Conditions A-Z

Heartworm disease is caused by a mosquito transmitted parasite. If left untreated, it can be a debilitating disease and sometimes prove fatal. Pets infected with heartworms can be found in all states, in spite of the fact that very effective heartworm prevention products are available. The good news is that I’ve noticed more and more pet parents are wondering about the symptoms of heartworm disease. Unfortunately, most of the time you’re not going to see any, and here’s why:

Early signs of heartworm disease in dogs
It would be great news for pets and people if heartworm symptoms were always obvious, but the truth is they are generally invisible or unnoticeable. The development of heartworm disease is insidious until the overt clinical signs occur, and by then the disease has already affected your dog’s heart and lungs. Your dog could appear 100% healthy while the parasites are quietly making themselves right at home.

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Common Dog Diseases

At Thompson Vet, we really want to make sure you know your best defense against common #dog diseases. If you aren't aware, how can we prevent them? Together with the proper provider for your dog, you can keep on top of all vaccinations and updates on common illnesses and #dogdiseases.

Keep in mind, if you are in the Spingtown, TX area, we expect you to choose us! lol
Seriously, please call on us at anytime to make an appointment for your well checks for your pup.  Our new patient exams are on special for only $30 and you can not beat that price!

Recently we found a great website page on ASPCA website.  We would love to share some things about the most common diseases.


Source: ASPCA

As a dog parent, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of common illnesses so you can seek veterinary help for your canine friend as soon as possible. Read on for information about diseases and other medical inflictions that frequently impact dogs.

Cancer

Finding out that a loved one has cancer can be very scary and confusing. When that loved one is your dog, it’s important to keep in mind that different veterinarians might have different views on the best way to treat the disease. It’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion, perhaps from a veterinary oncologist, and carefully review your options.

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Diabetes

Diabetes in dogs is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin. After a dog eats, his digestive system breaks food into various components, including glucose—which is carried into his cells by insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. When a dog does not produce insulin or cannot utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels elevate. The result is hyperglycemia, which, if left untreated, can cause many complicated health problems for a dog.

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Heartworm

Heartworm is a parasitic worm that lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected animal. The worms travel through the bloodstream—harming arteries and vital organs as they go—ultimately completing their journey to the vessels of the lung and the heart chamber about six months after the initial infection. Several hundred worms can live in one dog for five to seven years.

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Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is a term loosely used to describe a complex of respiratory infections—both viral and bacterial—that causes inflammation of a dog’s voice box and windpipe. It’s a form of bronchitis and is similar to a chest cold in humans.

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Parvovirus

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce life-threatening illness.

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Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that may affect the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including cats, dogs and humans. This preventable disease has been reported in every state except Hawaii. There’s good reason that the very word “rabies” evokes fear in people—once symptoms appear, rabies is close to 100% fatal.

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Ringworm

Although the name suggests otherwise, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm at all—but a fungus that can infect the skin, hair and nails. This highly contagious disease can lead to patchy areas of hair loss on a dog and can spread to other animals—and to humans, too.

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SOURCE: ASPCA