How long should I give my dog heartworm or flea preventive?
At All-Pets, we recommend monthly parasite preventive. The exact type of preventive & duration of use should be discussed individually for your particular pet.
Here in Iowa, we usually can stop flea & tick preventive in November. Ticks are common early in the summer & fleas late in the summer. If you are fighting fleas or have seen fleas on your pets this fall, you should treat monthly all through the winter.
Heartworm preventives should be continued 6-8 weeks after the last hard frost, typically in Iowa no earlier than December 1. The medication works 6-8 weeks after the dog is bit by a heartworm carrying mosquito. Heartworm preventive can also be given year round---to help prevent intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms & whipworms.
Cat also get parasites & should be on parasite prevention. Luckily these are readily available in a topical or chewable tablet for cats.
Call us if you have any questions about pet parasites! Preventive for dogs & cats are available at either of our locations (Second & Forest or East 6th & Walnut).
Monday, September 23, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Dogs & allergies!
Allergies are still a problem this fall for dogs & cats.
We have had a very warm September & heat, humidity and pollens all contribute to itchy pets. This time of year many dogs itch & scratch from flea and pollen allergies. Fleas are much easier to prevent than to eradicate. Frontline or Trifexis should be used monthly until November or December this year, even if you don't have a flea problem. The best way to keep fleas away is monthly prevention on all pets in the household (including the indoor cats). If you get fleas, then you have a bigger battle: the house is the nidus for the flea infestation & treatments such as sprays or bombs are needed to kill flea eggs & larva. The pets may need additional treatments with Frontline or Capstar to break the cycle.
Dogs also itch this time of year from tree pollens & other inhaled allergens. We can't eradicate pollen from their lives, but we can limit exposure with less trips outside and frequent baths to remove topical exposure. Many dogs with pollen allergies must see the vet for antihistamines or steroids to stop the itching. Pets often get secondary infection & need treatment with antibiotics or antifungals. In most cases, we need to collect material from the pet's skin & check it under the microscope to find out the most effective medications.
So, if your dog or cat is itching like crazy, call us for an appointment! 515-262-8535.
We have had a very warm September & heat, humidity and pollens all contribute to itchy pets. This time of year many dogs itch & scratch from flea and pollen allergies. Fleas are much easier to prevent than to eradicate. Frontline or Trifexis should be used monthly until November or December this year, even if you don't have a flea problem. The best way to keep fleas away is monthly prevention on all pets in the household (including the indoor cats). If you get fleas, then you have a bigger battle: the house is the nidus for the flea infestation & treatments such as sprays or bombs are needed to kill flea eggs & larva. The pets may need additional treatments with Frontline or Capstar to break the cycle.
Dogs also itch this time of year from tree pollens & other inhaled allergens. We can't eradicate pollen from their lives, but we can limit exposure with less trips outside and frequent baths to remove topical exposure. Many dogs with pollen allergies must see the vet for antihistamines or steroids to stop the itching. Pets often get secondary infection & need treatment with antibiotics or antifungals. In most cases, we need to collect material from the pet's skin & check it under the microscope to find out the most effective medications.
So, if your dog or cat is itching like crazy, call us for an appointment! 515-262-8535.
Food & Pets Welcome
We are enjoying the fall & have some fun things happening at All-Pets this weekend.
We are looking forward to this weekend's World Food & Music Festival on Locust St. near our East Village office. Imagine being able to walk one block for lunch & get any foods you want from around the world! Reasonably priced food vendors will be selling all types of delicious eats from Friday to Sunday.
Luckily parking or access to our East Village office won't be impacted. If you need a place to park, let us know: stop & say hello (or better yet, buy something!) & use our two hour parking garage access. Well behaved dogs are welcome at this open air venue.
Our other big event is a wedding! All-Pets' certified veterinary technician, Rachel, will be tying the knot on Saturday afternoon. Her dogs, Breeze, Cloud & Lexi, will all be in the wedding. Needless to say, we will be in attendance, so will have some changes in hours on Saturday. The East Village office will be closed and the Second Ave office will be open from 8 to noon. Call us at 515-262-8535 if you have questions. We are all very excited fro Rachel & Matt.
We are looking forward to this weekend's World Food & Music Festival on Locust St. near our East Village office. Imagine being able to walk one block for lunch & get any foods you want from around the world! Reasonably priced food vendors will be selling all types of delicious eats from Friday to Sunday.
Luckily parking or access to our East Village office won't be impacted. If you need a place to park, let us know: stop & say hello (or better yet, buy something!) & use our two hour parking garage access. Well behaved dogs are welcome at this open air venue.
Our other big event is a wedding! All-Pets' certified veterinary technician, Rachel, will be tying the knot on Saturday afternoon. Her dogs, Breeze, Cloud & Lexi, will all be in the wedding. Needless to say, we will be in attendance, so will have some changes in hours on Saturday. The East Village office will be closed and the Second Ave office will be open from 8 to noon. Call us at 515-262-8535 if you have questions. We are all very excited fro Rachel & Matt.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Fun weekend for dog fanciers!
Anyone interested in dogs that reads this blog? I hope so or else you won't appreciate these posts!
For those of you that are interested in dogs and live in Des Moines, a few fun events are coming up this weekend.
A big American Kennel Club show is being held at the Varied Industries Building at the State Fairgrounds. It's a great place to see a huge variety of breeds & types of dogs, all AKC registered, groomed and shown to emphasize the best characteristics of their particular breed.
Both conformation (the beauty contest) and obedience (for the brainy dogs) trials will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday and Sunday are all breed shows. Most breeds are shown before noon, and best in group (distinct categories of dog breeds) and best in show competitions occur between 2 and 4 pm. Friday's activities are specialties for specific breeds only--goldens, shelties, and American cocker spaniels to name a few.
An all breed dog show is a great place to look for your next breed, talk to quality breeders, or just enjoy the lengths people go to when grooming a show dog. Plus, there are unique booths selling everything from obedience jumps to high end jewelry featuring your favorite breed. Unfortunately, unentered dogs are not allowed at the AKC show. For more information check out: http://www.desmoineskennelclub.com/shows.htm
Also on Saturday, is the Puppy Up! Walk raising funds for Canine Cancer. This walk is sponsored by Iowa Veterinary Specialties and the 2 Million Dogs Foundation. The 2 Million Dogs Foundation is committed to discovering the link between canine and human cancers through comparative oncology research. The 2 mile walk starts at 11:30 am at Greys Lake Park and of course, dogs are welcome. There will be a free bottle of water in each participants bag, courtesy of All-Pets Hospital. For more information check out: http://2013puppyupdesmoines.kintera.org
So, go out and have some doggy fun this weekend!
For those of you that are interested in dogs and live in Des Moines, a few fun events are coming up this weekend.
A big American Kennel Club show is being held at the Varied Industries Building at the State Fairgrounds. It's a great place to see a huge variety of breeds & types of dogs, all AKC registered, groomed and shown to emphasize the best characteristics of their particular breed.
Both conformation (the beauty contest) and obedience (for the brainy dogs) trials will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday and Sunday are all breed shows. Most breeds are shown before noon, and best in group (distinct categories of dog breeds) and best in show competitions occur between 2 and 4 pm. Friday's activities are specialties for specific breeds only--goldens, shelties, and American cocker spaniels to name a few.
An all breed dog show is a great place to look for your next breed, talk to quality breeders, or just enjoy the lengths people go to when grooming a show dog. Plus, there are unique booths selling everything from obedience jumps to high end jewelry featuring your favorite breed. Unfortunately, unentered dogs are not allowed at the AKC show. For more information check out: http://www.desmoineskennelclub.com/shows.htm
Also on Saturday, is the Puppy Up! Walk raising funds for Canine Cancer. This walk is sponsored by Iowa Veterinary Specialties and the 2 Million Dogs Foundation. The 2 Million Dogs Foundation is committed to discovering the link between canine and human cancers through comparative oncology research. The 2 mile walk starts at 11:30 am at Greys Lake Park and of course, dogs are welcome. There will be a free bottle of water in each participants bag, courtesy of All-Pets Hospital. For more information check out: http://2013puppyupdesmoines.kintera.org
So, go out and have some doggy fun this weekend!
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