Neighborhood Veterinary Care

04/04/2025

Let's talk about heartworms in our feline friends. Heartworm disease in cats is very different from heartworm disease in dogs. The cat is an atypical host for heartworms, and most worms in cats do not survive to the adult stage. Cats with adult heartworms typically have just one to three worms, and many cats affected by heartworms have no adult worms. While this means heartworm disease often goes undiagnosed in cats, it’s important to understand that even immature worms cause real damage in the form of a condition known as heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD). Moreover, the medication used to treat heartworm infections in dogs cannot be used in cats, so prevention is the only means of protecting cats from the effects of heartworm disease.

We carry option for heartworm prevention in clinic for cats, and endless options on our online store. NexGard Combo is a topical preventative that protect against heartworms. Don't know what preventative you should use on your cat? Call us and let's talk about it! (605)935-6820

Want to know more about felines and heartworms? Check out this link.
https://www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworms-in-cats?fbclid=IwY2xjawJRC59leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfnZVnkd1jWLkUMbFEf7CVDMfFXfpgfoqdB0_kArQJB1yhq-ZGa2BXN_mQ_aem_1cjpwOFguDVwGhDgAJrP2A

What is heartworm disease? Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets in the United States and many other parts of the...

04/03/2025

The dog is a natural host for heartworms, which means that heartworms that live inside the dog mature into adults, mate and produce offspring. If untreated, their numbers can increase, and dogs have been known to harbor several hundred worms in their bodies. Heartworm disease causes lasting damage to the heart, lungs and arteries, and can affect the dog’s health and quality of life long after the parasites are gone. For this reason, prevention is by far the best option, and treatment—when needed—should be administered as early in the course of the disease as possible.

We carry two different types of heartworm prevention in clinic, and we have endless options from our online store! ProHeart12 and Credelio Quattro are both carried in clinic. ProHeart 12 is an injectable product that protects from heartworms for 12 months. It also protects from hookworms. Credelio Quattro is an oral preventative that protects against fleas, ticks, heartworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms. Don't know what options would be best for your dog? Give us call and we can talk!

Want to know more about heartworm in dogs? Check out this link!
https://www.heartwormsociety.org/heartworms-in-dogs?fbclid=IwY2xjawJRCixleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYGkMWNOrDFhJnLtPglb3Y_iVRxLJZk_KEuDL7Q4AkqOIZtEFWV9e3GmJg_aem_TvIdWhzmYgDh2lMLH10mWQ

Information about Heartworm Positive Dogs What is heartworm disease? Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in pets in the...

04/03/2025

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month! Would you know what to do if your pet had an emergency? Being prepared could save your furry friend’s life! Here are a few quick pet first aid tips:

✔️ Know the Basics – Learn how to stop bleeding and recognize signs of distress.
✔️ Have a Pet First Aid Kit – Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, a digital thermometer, and emergency vet contact info.
✔️ Keep Toxic Items Out of Reach – Common household dangers include chocolate, xylitol, certain plants, and medications.
✔️ Stay Calm & Call Your Vet – In an emergency, quick action and a clear mind are key!

If your pet ever needs urgent care, call us at (605)935-6820 or refer to our pinned posts at the top of our page!

04/01/2025

Heartworm disease is found in all 50 states, and your pets need protection year-round! This month we are going to give you all the information about heartworms and how to help prevent them in your pets.

During the month of April we are offering a complementary heartworm test to any owner that purchases 12 months of preventative in clinic! We offer multiple options to keep your pet protected in clinic and endless options from our online store!

03/27/2025

We are getting ready for the start of Heartworm Awareness Month. During the month of April we will be going over what heartworm disease is, different preventatives, and the signs of heartworm disease.

During the month of April we will be offering complementary heartworm tests with the purchase of 12 months of heartworm preventative!

03/25/2025

Spring savings are blooming! 🌷 Use code 15BLOOMING to get up to 15% off from our online store!

03/22/2025

With Pet Poison Awareness Week coming to an end, here are the top 10 toxins for cats and dogs that you should be aware of!

03/21/2025

Did you know that some nuts can be toxic to dogs and cats? Others can help reduce high blood pressure. Need the skinny, or should we say nutty, on nuts for your pet? Check out our article!
https://www.preventivevet.com/pets/safe-and-unsafe-nuts-and-seeds-for-pets

03/20/2025

What food can your furry friends have? Check out this image to find out what they can and cannot get. Do remember if you are sharing food with your pet to do so in small amounts.
*If feeding apples do not give the core or seeds to your pets!

03/19/2025

Today we are covering the top 11 toxin plants and what ingestion may cause. If you do have plants in your home with your furry friends, ensure that they can't get to them!

03/18/2025

Do you have any of these toxins in your pantry? Make sure that they are out of reach from your furry friends!

03/18/2025

Sign up for AutoShip and save up to 20% from our online store!

03/16/2025

This week is Pet Poison Awareness! This is a good time to prevent potential accidents by:
-Securing human medications out of the reach of curious paws
-Ensuring rodenticides are in protected areas and/or inside bait stations
-Reminding all humans in your household that pets aren’t allowed chocolate, grapes, raisins, or sugar-free gum

Stay tuned to find other helpful tips to keep your pets safe from potential poisons!

03/15/2025

Let's talk urine! We have started to recommend annual urinalysis with routine blood work. A urinalysis is a routine test that reports the physical and chemical properties of urine. It can be used to assess the health of the kidneys and urinary system. We also have the ability to ultrasound the bladder (as pictured below) to check for any abnormalities.

Want to know more about urinalysis? Check out this article!
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/urinalysis

03/14/2025

We recommend annual blood work in pets as they age. The initial test establishes a baseline, which is then used to monitor and compare future results. By detecting changes and potential concerns early, diagnostics and treatments can be made before symptoms even appear.
In addition to annual blood work, we often recommend pre-anesthetic blood work before surgical procedures. This helps ensure vital organs, which help filter the medications used, are functioning properly.
Senior pets can often face multiple health challenges as they age. To monitor for potential problems, it’s usually recommended that blood work be conducted every six to twelve months once your pet reaches their senior years. Regular testing is crucial for detecting conditions early, determining the most effective treatments, and monitoring their progress to prevent rapid deterioration.

Blood work that we recommend include the following:
Complete Blood Count (CBC) – is a blood test that measures the number and types of cells in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC can check for anemia, infection, and clotting problems.
Chemistry Panel - is a blood test that analyze the chemical components of a pet's blood to assess organ function and overall health. Chemistry panels look at organ function, electrolyte levels, enzyme levels, and other chemicals like glucose and protein.
Your pet can appear healthy, but have hidden medical problems that could become serious or even life-threatening if left undetected. Annual blood work is an essential tool for detecting and identifying diseases at their most treatable stage.

03/12/2025

Check out these tips on how to make the carrier less scary for your cat!

Quick Tip: Making your cat's carrier a part of their regular environment is a great way to create positive associations — which really comes in handy when it's time for a trip to the vet. Read on for more tips to help your kitty love their carrier.
https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/cat-carrier-stress-tips

03/12/2025

You might have noticed that we ask owners to bring in a f***l sample with annual wellness exams. Why would we want your pet have a yearly f***l exam?

When we do a f***l test on your pet, we are able to determine whether or not your pet has any intestinal parasites within their bodies. Some of the parasites tested for include roundworms, coccidia, giardia, hookworms and whipworms. You can’t see most of these parasites because they live inside of your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, so the only way to diagnose the infection is to do a f***l test under the microscope.

Check out this article on routine f***l tests and common FAQs.
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/routine-f***l-testing-faqs-for-dog-owners?fbclid=IwY2xjawI35QdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSFXeP_jiMBnRzH294OpzI9s5rAkYnCXEeKd4YbgwM_JmT_hZbuI0_qzgA_aem_GU3QrFBy2Rzn1z5hP-Y8OQ =IwAR2YHkiXLWJnVR-9z8RU8RqfRFQUy-gSp-1UDbTuGtiT7jelrdvfrdaAKr4&fbclid=IwAR39jL2BMftDFpu3gd9No3v7zAcpWQQ9prE-MvdlW-3zYBhc8PNyJT1VhbI&fbclid=IwY2xjawI35QdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSFXeP_jiMBnRzH294OpzI9s5rAkYnCXEeKd4YbgwM_JmT_hZbuI0_qzgA_aem_GU3QrFBy2Rzn1z5hP-Y8OQ

Check this article out on deworming pets.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/deworming-dogs-what-you-need-to-know/

03/11/2025

End of winter sale! Use code LASTFROST to save up to 20% from our online store!