SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!!

Finally winter is over and the days are getting longer & warmer and it won't be long until summer arrives.  So now is the perfect time to address your pet's health needs over the summer period. Summer may be your favourite time of year but for your pet it may mean a host of health troubles.

Your pets most important concerns in the summer months are:

1). Fleas

2). Heart worm prevention

3). Vaccinations

4). Grooming and grass seeds

5). Allergies and skin problems.

Here's what you need to know to tackle these health issues.

1). Fleas

Fleas thrive in summer heat and humidity.  In these conditions female fleas may lay up to 200 eggs a day.  Imagine how many fleas can be produced in even a short period.  Fleas cause pets to itch & bite and generally feel very uncomfortable.  Pets can be allergic to flea saliva and develop nasty skin conditions as a result.  There are many flea products available, however flea collars, flea shampoos and other supermarket products are not very effective and don't get rid of all the fleas.  We would recommend an effective spot on product (ie Frontline®, Advocate®) or Comfortis® which is a monthly tablet.

If you are unsure as to what is the best flea prevention product for your pet just ask one of our friendly staff for advice to get you on the right product to avoid a flea problem.

2). Heart worm prevention 

It's important your pet receives regular 3 monthly worming with an intestinal wormer to prevent intestinal worms, however these wormers do not effectively treat for heartworm. Heart worms are different in that they don't live in the intestine but rather migrate through blood vessels before reaching the heart causing serious blockages leading to coughing, difficulty exercising and eventually heart failure and death.   

Heartworm are transmitted by mosquitoes, which are more prevalent in the summer months.  Cases of heartworm are common in NSW & QLD but are now being seen down south in Victoria, with cases in Werribee, Melbourne and in the state's north.  With the recent bumper mosquito seasons seen locally we expect it will soon be a problem in Geelong , so we recommend prevention, especially if you are going to travel with your dog.

Treatment of affected dogs is difficult and costly, prevention is the much better option. Heartworm prevention involves either a monthly chew or spot-on or a yearly injection.  It is best to speak to the staff at the clinic about the best option for your pet. Heartworm disease is not currently an issue in cats.

If you are worried about the risks of heart worm contact Highton Vet Clinic and we can organise an injection to last all year round to avoid your pet becoming affected by heart worm.  It's as simple as a yearly injection of Proheart® which can be tied in with your yearly vaccination.

3). Vaccinations

Not only do vaccinations prevent potentially fatal diseases in your pet they also protect against some causes of respiratory disease which are common when your pet mixes with other animals. Vaccinations are a must for your pet to protect against these serious conditions but are also essential if your pet is going to be spending time in a kennel or cattery if you go on holiday over the summer period.  Kennels and catteries require proof of vaccination before your pet boards so before you head off for that summer holiday, make sure your pet is up to date with their vaccinations.

If you are in any doubt as to what vaccination your pet needs or are  worried they are overdue, why not bring them down to the clinic for a full health check and one of the vets can make sure your pet is covered before you go away.

4). Grooming and grass seeds

Not only does getting groomed keep your pet looking its best it helps them deal with the summer heat by keeping them cool. It also allows you to easily see and therefore deal with any parasites or skin irritations promptly.

Grass seeds are a common summer complaint as they become lodged in the pets coat and then bury into the skin causing nasty skin abscesses. Having your pets coat short means they are less like to become entangled in the hair and are more visible if they do, so they can be easily removed.  Grass seeds can also become lodged in ears, up noses and even eyes!

To avoid disappointment we suggest you call the clinic to organise a grooming session as like a popular hairdresser our groomer tends to fill up quickly!

5). Allergies and skin problems

Allergies are more prevalent in pets in summer as common causes are fleas, grasses and pollen.  Unlike when humans suffer from allergies dogs and cats don't tend to sneeze but often develop skin conditions. Allergies may cause excessive scratching, frequent feet licking, biting, rubbing, baldness and/or red, inflamed skin. They can also cause itchy ears in some cases. Pets can be irritated and miserable with allergies and skin problems. 

If your pet is suffering from a skin problem make sure they see us for a check-up, treatment can range from medicated shampoos, supplements and flea treatments in milder cases to anti-inflammatories, allergy testing and allergy shots in more severe cases.

Don't forget we are here to help you and your pet in any way we can through this summer season and with our clinic hours of Monday to Friday 8am to 7.30pm, Saturday 8am to 4pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm we should be able to deal with all your pet's needs.