HEALTH ISSUES
Please review the "Seasonal Care" for pets under the "Living with your Pet" section under "Veterinary Topics".
Lyme Disease
One of the current health issues in the Northern Illinois area is the presence of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a potentially serious tick-borne disease that can affect your dog. Canine Lyme disease is increasing in numbers and also expanding geographically. The disease is largely preventable by vaccinating and using flea & tick control. Our Snap 4DX test that we use for testing for Heartworm also test for three tick-borne diseases, Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichia. In the past 12 months, as of 9/20/13, we have had over 89 dogs test positive for a tick borne disease by these tests, mostly Lyme disease. These positive tests are helping us detect the disease before the animal is even showing symptoms. It has also reinforced our belief that our pet owners should be vaccinating and protecting their dogs. It is much more economical to vaccinate and use tick control than to pay for treatment and additional testing for your pet. We would be happy to discuss this in more detail if you have questions.
Weight Management
Weight problems are common in dogs and cats, but they can be controlled with an appropriate nutrition program. First, you may need to consult with our veterinarian to see what your pet should weigh. This can be evaluated through a process of weighing and measurements. Once the appropriate weight is established a feeding guide can be created and the correct choice of food can be determined. Weight loss takes time and is an ongoing process. Obesity has a negative impact on your pet's life. They can have shorter lives and an increased risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Hill's Pet Nutrition has a range of foods that are productive in weight management. Hill's has provided us with resources and training to work with you and your pet in managing a weight program.