PAXTON ANIMAL HOSPITAL

612 PLEASANT STREET, MASSACHUSETTS 01612

TEL: 508 752 3100    FAX: 508 752 8019

Reference Library

This page is intended to give descriptions and possible remedies for problems that may arise with your pet. If any of the problems or symptoms that your pet is experiencing do not improve or in fact get worse, contact The Paxton Animal Hospital at immediately!

508 752 3100

MEDICAL QUESTIONS

My dog was accidentally hit by a car but appears fine. Is it okay to watch him for a while?

NO! Many times dogs hide a concussion which can be life threatening if not treated immediately. Also, dogs and cats can suffer from a condition called "traumatic lung syndrome" , a condition in which the lungs can become full of fluid after a sudden blow. It is best to contact a veterinarian anytime your pet has been in an accident with a car.

My cat is going to his litter box a lot and seems uncomfortable. What does that mean?

Cats are very prone to a condition called "feline lower urinary syndrome". Basically, it is a urinary bladder infection which can lead to urinary tract obstruction in male cats. This is a serious condition and you should contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.

My dog licks his feet all the time. Why?

A dog that licks his feet, rubs his face, or scratches behind his elbows may be showing signs of an allergy. Dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things such as house dust, grass or weeds. Consult your veterinarian about this, especially if your dog is showing any hair loss.

What is a dog's or cat's normal temperature?

Cats and dogs have a higher body temperature than ours, which is why they sometimes feel "hot" to the touch. Their normal body temperature is 100 - 102.8 Fahrenheit or 38.5 + or - 1 degree Celsius. The best way to see if your pet is running a fever is to take his temperature with a rectal thermometer. If you notice that your pet's temperature is above normal, you should contact a veterinarian immediately.

My dog has diarrhea. What can I do?

If your dog is acting normally other than the diarrhea, then you can try withholding all food and water for 12 hours. After that time period, you can introduce small amounts of food at a time. However, if your dog is lethargic in any way, you should call a veterinarian for instructions.

My dog is "scooting" his behind on the carpet - Does he have worms?

He may have worms but that is not why he is "scooting". It is usually an indication that his anal glands are full and need attention by a veterinarian. Anal glands are small glands on either side of the rectum. They contain a fishy smelling substance and before domestication dogs and cats used them to mark their territory. Pets no longer have active control of these glands and therefore they can become full and need emptying. Cats will generally lick their rectal area excessively if their anal sacs are full.

What chew treats are OK to buy for my dog?

We generally recommend rawhides (that are made in North America), most dental chews and vegetable/fruit chews (Edible Nylabones). Cow hooves are very hard and can fracture teeth and some pig ears have recently been shown to contain the harmful bacteria Salmonella.

What is the best food to feed my pet?

That is a difficult question to answer as one food isn't right for all pets. Generally, if the food you are feeding says on the label that it is good for "all life stages", then find another food. Puppies, adults, and seniors all have different nutritional requirements. Pet food that is purchased from a pet supply store or from your veterinarian is usually better quality. Contact us if you would like more information

Is it normal for my cat to vomit hairballs?

No. Cats love to groom themselves and in doing so they swallow large amounts of hair. Vomiting hairballs is a sign that the hair is not moving from the stomach into the small intestine. There are pastes, treats and food that either dissolve hairballs or help them pass into the small intestine.

My dog smells. What could it be?

There are three main areas that are usually associated with a dog being smelly - ears, teeth, and skin. If your dog has any brownish material in her ears she may have an ear infection. If she has tartar on her teeth or very red gums her teeth need attention. If her skin is dry or has bumps on it this may be the cause of the odor. Contact your veterinarian if any of these conditions occur.

My dog has been coughing for several days. What should I do?

A cough can be caused by a number of thing, such as allergies, bronchitis or even kennel cough. The doctor should check your dog so we can determine the cause of the problem.

My dog (cat) has licked up some antifreeze. Will this hurt him?

Antifreeze is extremely poisonous to dogs and cats. Please bring him to the clinic immediately for treatment.

PUPPY AND KITTEN QUESTIONS

When does a puppy or kitten start its vaccinations?

We recommend starting vaccinations at 8 weeks of age. We give them in a series 4 weeks apart so that your pet will have good immunity. A puppy would receive vaccinations at 8, 12, and 16 weeks and a kitten would receive them at 8, 12 and 16 weeks.  (Your pet then needs a Rabies vaccination at 12 weeks). Vaccination boosters are done yearly with Rabies being every 3 years after the initial year booster.

What is a spay?

Spay is the common term for a complete ovariohysterectomy, or the removal of the entire uterus and ovaries. We recommend spaying at 5-6 months but it can be performed any time after the age of 8 weeks.

What is a neuter?

Neuter is the common term for castration, or the removal of the testicles. We recommend neutering at 5-6 months.

What is the best way to identify my pet?

Keep a collar with identification on her at all times. A cat should wear an elasticized or breakaway collar. Microchipping is also available. It is implanted in her neck and is completely painless. All shelters scan for this chip and, if your pet is lost, she could be returned to you much easier by a local shelter.

PARASITE QUESTIONS

What is a parasite?

A parasite is an organism that lives at the expense of another living being. In our pets, these usually take the form of intestinal worms (internal parasites) and fleas and ticks (external parasites).

How can I tell if my dog or cat has worms?

Certain parasites, such as tapeworms, are visible to the naked eye, but others must be detected under the microscope. If you will bring in a stool sample we will be glad to examine it microscopically to see if your pet has worms.

I saw small worms caught in the hair on my pets hind legs and tail. What are they?

Small white worms about the size of a grain of rice in length are tapeworm segments. They come from swallowing fleas or from eating mice. There are tablets you can purchase from your veterinarian to eradicate tapeworms. There are NO products in the pet stores or grocery stores to kill tapeworms. Also, in order to keep them away, you should practice good flea control.

Should I do a routine deworming of my pets?

We recommend routine deworming every 6 months to a year. If you don't want to medicate your pet without knowing that she has worms we can do 3 consecutive fecal samples to prove whether or not she needs deworming.

How do I control fleas on my pet?

With the advancement of flea control like Advantage and Frontline, fleas are no longer the nuisance they once were for you and your pet. Both are a liquid applied down the pets back which kills all fleas within 24 hours and continues killing them for 1 full month.  Do NOT confuse these products with others you find in the pet stores, such as HARTZ ( some of the off the shelf products found in pet stores can actually be harmful to your pet). Those products are insecticides which can potentially harm your pet.

Are flea collars very effective?

Not really. Since they are placed around the neck of the pet, they usually cannot kill any fleas which are around the tail of your pet. The insecticide from flea collars is designed to be absorbed into the pets blood stream and can be toxic. There are much better forms of flea control such as Advantage and Advantix. Call us for more information.

I think my dog has lice. What can I do?

Lice has become a significant problem in the past couple of years. Lice are small grayish parasites that attach themselves right to the skin and tend to be on the front end of the dog. Advantage (for fleas) does kill lice as well, but we recommend repeating the treatment every 2 weeks instead of every month. Lice are very species specific and cannot be transferred to you.

How do I prevent my dog from getting ticks?

Preventic Tick Collars and Advantix Liquid are available for tick prevention on dogs. (These products cannot be used on cats). You should know that ticks carry a vast array of diseases including Lymes Disease. There is a vaccination for dogs against Lymes Disease but the best protection is prevention with the above products. Paxton Animal Hospital also carries Frontline Liquid protection for cats.

What are Heartworms and how can I prevent my dog from getting them?

Heartworms are parasites that actually live in the dog's heart.  We recommend a once a month tablet by Interceptor or Heartgard  that is used for prevention and can be given to your dog after she is confirmed heartworm negative with a blood test. Phone your veterinarian if you have any further questions about heartworm.

IMMUNIZATION QUESTIONS

What is Parvo Virus?

Parvo virus is a disease that causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. This virus is deadly and can be contracted from any substance, such as the soil or walking in the same area as a dog which has been incubating the virus . We recommend vaccinating your dog once a year for adequate protection.

What is Canine Distemper?

Distemper is a highly contagious disease among dogs. It is almost always fatal. Although it is more common in puppies than in adult dogs, all dogs are susceptible to it. We recommend yearly vaccinations against this dangerous disease.

What is Kennel Cough?

Kennel Cough is a respiratory disease usually contracted in areas where large numbers of dogs are housed such as a kennel or a grooming salon. It is transmitted by nose to nose contact so they can get it from any dog. There is a vaccination available for protection against Kennel Cough.

Does my pet really need a Rabies vaccination?

YES. Rabies is a fatal disease if left untreated and can affect all mammals. There are some animals which do have rabies and   can easily infect your pet if your pet is not protected indoors at all times. If your pet has a wound of unknown origin, contact us immediately, as it could be the result of a bite from a n infected animal. Massachusetts state law requires all dogs and cats be vaccinated. Ferrets are also susceptible to rabies and a vaccine is available for them as well.

My cat stays inside all the time. Why does it need vaccinations?

YES, especially for rabies. If you ever have a personal emergency where you have to board your cat or a medical emergency where your cat must be hospitalized, the unvaccinated cat will be vulnerable to any of the feline diseases. It may be even more susceptible than other cats since it has never been exposed to any type of disease. You can also unknowingly bring some viruses home on your clothing from a stray or other sick cat.

We have adopted a stray cat. Should I do anything special before I let it play with my other cats?

You should have the new cat examined by the veterinarian before exposing it to your cats. The new cat should be tested for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and Feline Leukemia - two deadly diseases that could be transmitted to your cats. Also, we strongly recommend that you have your new cat vaccinated as soon as possible.

REPRODUCTIVE QUESTIONS

How long is a dog or cat in season?

A dog is in season (or heat) for about 21 days. The first 10 days include bleeding from the vagina, then your dog is ready to accept the male. A cat is completely different from a dog. They go in and out of season all year round until they are either bred or spayed. It always best to spay your pet if you do not intend to breed her so that she does not develop breast or uterine cancer.

How long does pregnancy last in a dog or cat?

A dog is pregnant for 63 days and a cat for 61 days. The newborns should be examined by a veterinarian within 24-48 hours.

Will spaying or neutering my dog or cat make them fat and lazy?

No. Spaying or neutering will not contribute to obesity at all. If you watch your pets diet and give them plenty of exercise you should not have a problem.

Can my female dog be spayed while she is in heat or while she is pregnant?

It is best to wait until a female is out of heat before she is spayed. During the heat cycle all the blood vessels that lead to the ovaries and uterus are inflamed and this makes surgery more of a risk to the dog. A dog can be spayed if she is early pregnant. You should discuss this with a veterinarian.

How soon after my dog or cat has had puppies or kittens can she be spayed?

As soon as the puppies or kittens are weaned and the mother's milk had dried up, she can be spayed.

I've heard that letting my female have a litter makes her a better pet. Is this true?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. In fact, more heat cycles and pregnancies increase the chances of mammary tumors later in life. Some pets also have behavioral changes after having a litter.

If I neuter my cat, will he stop spraying my furniture?

When a cat sprays, he is exhibiting the male tendency to mark his territory with urine. Neutering decreases his male hormones and makes him much less likely to exhibit this undesirable trait (Although - neutering does not guarantee that he will stop spraying).

Couldn't I just give my a dog a vasectomy? Why does he have to be castrated?

A vasectomy, although it makes your dog incapable of breeding, does nothing to diminish his sexual drive. He will still roam, still fight with other dogs and still tend to be aggressive. By castrating, you reduce the hormones that are causing the undesirable behaviors.