What to Expect at the Vet with Your Pet

03/31/2022

🚨Emergency Visits🚨
Unfortunately, most pets will end up at a Vet ER at some point in their lives. One of the most common reasons is for toxic ingestions. Although prevention is key, you should be aware of 24 Hour Vet ERs near you in case something does arise.

☣️ Toxic Ingestion ☣️
Unfortunately many things that are tasty for us humans can be deadly for our pets. Cats and dogs differ in severity of reactions to toxins.

🐶Most commons toxic ingestions🐱

🍫Chocolate ingestion can cause seizures and high heart rate if too much is ingested. Cats are more sensitive to the chemicals found in chocolate so even a small amount can be dangerous.
🍇Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats
🍾Alcohol, even in small amounts, can put your pet into a comatose state and be fatal
🍬 Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in candies, peanut butter and other "sugar free" items that causes the body to create too much insulin which can drop their blood sugar to fatal levels
🧄🧅 Garlic and Onions both can cause damage to your pet's red blood cells. Cats are especially sensitive to these compounds.

If you love plants, make sure to keep your pets away from these as well:
🌷 Tulip leaves and petals can cause stomach upset if ingested, however if the bulb is ingested it can lead to lethargy and other more serious issues
🌸Lily of The Valley can cause seizures, low blood pressure, coma, or death if ingested and is best to not have in a house with pets

Most households keep a variety medications on hand that can be toxic to their pets
💊 Tylenol (acetaminophen),Ibuprofen and other nsaids can be deadly to pets, especially cats. Nsaids can cause damage to the kidneys and cause stomach ulcers. Tylenol can be safely given to dogs under veterinary supervision, however just 1 tablet can be fatal to cats as it damages their red blood cells.

🐱Cats are also very sensitive to dog-specific medications such as flea and tick control, so call your vet right away if you think they may have gotten into dog medication.

Other more obvious toxins include rodent poison, insecticides, cleaners, and other chemicals.

If you suspect your pet has gotten into toxic, call your local emergency vet or the National Pet Poison Control . Do not induce vomiting at home, your vet will use a special injected medication to make them vomit. They may also want to do blood work to check your pets kidney or liver values. Some ingestions may require hospitalization for fluids and monitoring.

💲 Depending on the type of toxin and amount ingested, emergency visits can vary widely. Occasionally, your vet may send you away as your pet did not ingest a toxic amount. However if they have to induce vomiting and run blood work you could be paying anywhere from $300 - 500. Hospitalization for fluids and monitoring will be more costly. Prevention is key!

03/12/2022

Considering getting a new kitten? 🐱
Expect multiple vet visits that can cost between $300 - $400. At each visit your kitten will be examined, weighed, and given multiple treatments. Like puppies, kittens need a series of vaccines to make sure they are fully protected against common viruses/illnesses. Getting your kitten to the vet on time for each booster is vital to making sure they build immunity.

💗1st Set (6 - 8 weeks)💗

FVRCP
-This combination vaccine covers Feline Viral Rhinotrachitis, Calicivirus (two most common causes of upper respiratory infections which can be deadly to kittens) and Panleukopenia (feline distemper). This combination vaccine covers the most important viruses that affect felines.

Dewormer/Intestinal Parasite Screening
-This will be given with every set to ensure your kitten is free of intestinal parasites. Your vet may also ask you to bring in a f***l sample to test for existing parasites, but the dewormer will be given regardless.

💗2nd Set (9 - 11 weeks)💗

FVRCP
-This combination is given again as a booster to the first.

FELV
-This is an optional vaccine but is strongly recommended by many veterinarians as Feline Leukemia Virus suppresses the immune system of affected cats. FELV causes your kitten to be more susceptible to catching other harmful viruses/illnesses.

Dewormer
-Given a 2nd time, this helps to make sure any and all intestinal parasites are being treated.

Flea and Tick Prevention
-Your kittens should now be started on a preventative to avoid tick borne illnesses, as well as issues caused by fleas such as itching, anemia, etc. This is important even if your kitten doesn't go outside as you may track fleas or ticks into your house after you go outside.

💗3rd & 4th Set (12 - 14 & 15 - 17weeks)💗

FVRCP
-Your kitten will be boosted again for the 3rd (and 4th depending on the veterinarian) set. This is recommended to ensure your kitten has fully built an immunity to Feline Viral Rhinotrachitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.

FELV
- Your kitten will be given this booster with the 3rd (and 4th depending on veterinary preference) set to ensure your kitten built immunity to Feline Leukemia Virus

Dewormer
- This is given one last time to ensure your kitten is free of intestinal parasites

Rabies
- This vaccine is typically given around 16 weeks but is dependent on your state laws. Rabies vaccine is required as their is no cure for Rabies.

🎊 CONGRATULATIONS 🎊
Your kitten is now ready for the world! Remember to keep your kitten away from other cats until they have completed their vaccination series. Even though your kitten is protected against common viruses, it is still strongly recommended that your pet be indoor only. Allowing your cat outside unsupervised can lead to injury from cat fights, predators, or getting hit by a car. This also makes them susceptible to other viruses not commonly vaccinated for such as FIV.

03/07/2022

Considering getting a new puppy? 🐶
Expect multiple vet visits in the first few months that can cost around $400 total. At each visit your puppy will be examined, weighed, and given multiple treatments.
Puppies need a series of vaccines and treatments to protect them against harmful diseases and viruses🦠
If you skip a set, you may have to restart the series. This is because the recommended timeline exists to allow your pet to build up immunity against the different illnesses.

💙1st set (6-8 weeks)💙

DHPP
- This combination vaccine covers Distemper , Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. If not protected, these illnesses can be deadly to your pup.

Dewormer/Intestinal Parasite Screening
- This is an oral medication that treats potential intestinal parasites that are common in puppies. This is typically given with every puppy series.
- Your vet may ask you to bring in a f***l sample to see if any parasites are present. Your puppy will be given dewormer regardless as it will not harm them if they don't have any, but will begin treating any parasites they may have.

💙2nd Set (10-12 weeks)💙

DHLPP
- This is a booster for the first set with added protection against Leptospirosis, another virus that can be very harmful to your pup's health.

Lyme
- This vaccine protects your puppy against Lyme disease which is transmitted through tick bites.

Dewormer
- Given a 2nd time, this will help get rid of any additional parasites left over from the first treatment.

Flea+Tick/Heartworm Prevention
- Your puppy is now at the age where they can be started on Flea and Tick prevention and Heartworm prevention!
- Fleas and ticks can cause an array of issues such as tick borne diseases (lyme, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, etc), itching, anemia, and more.
- Heartworms are transmitted through mosquito bites and require extensive treatment in affected pups. Left untreated, heartworms can be fatal.

💙3rd/4th Final Set (14-16 weeks)💙
These vaccines may be split into 2 sets depending on vet preference, size of puppy, and how they've handled the past vaccines.

DHLPP
- This is the final booster vaccine to insure your pet has built an immunity to Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.

Lyme
- This is a booster to insure your pet is protected against Lyme disease for their first year of life.

Rabies
- Many states recommend waiting until your pet is about 16 weeks of age before getting their rabies vaccine. This vaccine is required and extremely important since there is no cure for Rabies.

Intestinal Parasite Screening
- Your vet may want to do one last screening to be completely sure your pet is free of intestinal parasites.

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS, your puppy is ready to explore the world safely! Remember, you should keep your puppy away from other animals until they have completed their vaccine series to be certain that they stay healthy.
(Disclaimer: the vaccines and their order are at the discretion of your veterinarian depending on their own risk/benefit analysis.)

03/07/2022

The main focus on this page will be to educate people on common medical issues your pet could face, how much they can cost, and how to prevent it!

03/06/2022