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Canine Care

We offer the following services to assist in the care of your canine:

 
bulletPuppy care
bulletNeutering and spaying
bulletImplantation of identification microchips
bulletWell visits and vaccinations for adult dogs
bulletCanine dental care
bullet Boarding your dog
bulletCanine emergency treatment

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  We currently do not provide after hours emergency care.  In the event of an after hours pet emergency, we suggest contacting the Animal Emergency Center in Reno, Nevada at 775-851-3600.

 

Information for Dog Owners

Puppy care
Newborn puppies receive disease-fighting antibodies in their mother's milk. However, these antibodies normally last only 6 to 16 weeks. After that, vaccinations protect your puppy by introducing mild doses of modified disease-causing agents into his body to stimulate him to produce his own antibodies.  Diseases are easily transmitted between pets. Most vaccinations are given in a series over a period of time. This usually involves several vaccinations between 6 and 16 weeks, followed by boosters at regular internals.  We offer a puppy plan which covers the cost of the three visits for vaccinations and includes a discount on the spaying or neutering procedure.  Booster vaccinations should be given annually thereafter.

Spaying or neutering your dog

More than 4 million pets are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters each year simply because they have no home. Many are puppies and kittens less than 6 months old. Help stop this needless loss of life by spaying or neutering your pet.

The ideal age for spaying or neutering is between 4 and 6 months of age. Contrary to common myths, spaying or neutering your pet does not:  cause laziness or hyperactivity; cause obesity; reduce your pet's instinct to protect your family and home; cause immature behaviors; postpone or delay normal behavioral maturity; or alter its personality in any manner.

Advantages of spaying your female dog:

bulletEliminates unwanted litters.
bulletPrevention of heat or estrus.
bulletWhen in "heat," the female experiences an urge to escape in order to find a mate. This is eliminated.
bulletElimination of the possibility of false pregnancy following the "heat cycle."
bulletPrevention of uterine infection (pyometra).
bulletPrevention of breast cancer. Dogs spayed before the first "heat" have less than 0.5% chance of developing breast cancer.
bulletElimination of the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.

Advantages of neutering your male dog:

bulletReduces the risk of prostrate cancer and prostatitis.
bulletReduces the risk of hormone-related diseases such as perianal adenoma.
bulletEliminates the risk of testicular cancer.
bulletRemoves the sexual urge which results in less roaming behaviors.
bulletReduces certain types of aggression.

Both spaying and neutering are considered major operations and require general anesthesia. With today's modern anesthetics and monitoring equipment, the risk of a complication from either surgery is very low.  There are no safe alternatives to surgery at this time.

Your pet will be examined and pre-anesthetic blood tests are usually performed.  If everything is acceptable, your pet will then be anesthetized.  Most pets will have an intravenous catheter placed to administer the anesthetic and to provide fluid therapy during the surgery. After your pet is anesthetized, a breathing tube will be placed in the trachea (windpipe). This will allow us to deliver oxygen and the gas anesthetic. Spaying surgery consists of making a small incision just below the umbilicus and removing the ovaries and uterus. Neutering surgery consists of making a small incision in front of the scrotum and removing the testicles. We use absorbable sutures so that you do not have to return to have them removed.

Rest and restriction of activity are the primary post-operative care you should provide. Most dogs can resume normal activity five to ten days after surgery. Until then leash walks, no running or climbing stairs, and lots of rest are the rules.

My dog has only one testicle and my veterinarian recommends an orchidectomy. Why is this?

In the male fetus the testicles begin their development next to the kidneys and migrate through the inguinal canal into the scrotum. Both testicles should be in the scrotum at birth, although one or both testicles may be delayed. Both testicles should be descended by 6 to 8 months of age. Undescended testicles or cryptorchidism occurs when a testicle becomes trapped in the abdomen. These testicles are at a greater risk for developing complications, including cancer. Cryptorchidism is considered an inherited condition and affected dogs should not be bred. The surgical procedure is more complicated than a routine neuter. The missing testicle can be anywhere from inside the abdomen to under the skin in the genital region. Exploration is usually necessary to find the testicle, and there will be an incision to remove each testicle.


Canine dentistry

Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats. More than 68% of all pets over the age of three have some form of periodontal or dental disease; however, most pets show few signs of dental disease. It is up to the dog's family and veterinarian to uncover this hidden and painful condition.

The most common problem in man is tooth decay. For canines, this is less than 10 percent of dental problems. Most are caused by periodontal disease, which is simply an inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the tooth. Accumulation of tartar (calculus) on the teeth contributes to gum recession around the base of the tooth. Infection soon follows and the gums recede. Untreated infection can then spread into the tooth socket and ultimately the tooth loosens and is lost.

Tartar is thickened, mineralized plaque. Special canine toys and feeding the newer dental diets can help reduce tartar build up, as well as regular home care in the form of tooth brushing. Feeding dry food does not remove tartar. Once tartar is formed it must be removed with professional sealing and polishing under general anesthesia. Never use human toothpaste on dogs as these are not designed to be regularly swallowed and could cause problems.
 

Boarding your dog

Most dogs settle into boarding life very quickly. It is always worthwhile to board your pet for a weekend or a few days to see how they do before your trip. One or two short stays at a kennel will help your pet adjust to being without you and get used to the boarding facility and staff.

All pets that are boarded should be current on their vaccinations. Distemper combination, rabies, and upper respiratory tract infection vaccines are universally required. Most boarding kennels require written proof of vaccination prior to boarding your pet. Be sure to call and find out what is required to prevent last minute delays.

We offer an on-premises boarding kennel.


Recommendations for senior dogs

Dogs older than seven years of age are considered senior. Senior dogs are in the stage of life in which the aging process is affecting every organ. Some organs wear out faster than others, so certain observations are especially important to make. The following is a list of key recommendations that we feel are important for older dogs:

  1. Keep vaccinations current.
  2. Brush your pet frequently to prevent matts.
  3. Clip toes nails as needed to prevent overgrowth.
  4. Keep plenty of fresh water available and monitor its consumption. Increases in water consumption or urination are often associated with such conditions as diabetes, kidney and liver disease.
  5. Keep other pets from preventing your senior pet access to food and water.
  6. Keep indoors most of the time, especially in inclement weather.
  7. Weigh on the same scale and record results at least every 60 days.
  8. Take your dog to the veterinarian if you see any of the following:  sustained significant increase in water consumption; sustained significant increase in urination; weight loss; significant decrease in appetite or failure to eat for more than two consecutive days; significant increase in appetite; repeated vomiting; diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days; difficulty in passing stool or urine; sudden lost of housetraining; lameness that lasts longer than 3 days, or lameness in more than one leg; noticeable decrease in vision; masses, ulcerations (open sores), or multiple scabs on the skin that persist for more than 1 week; foul mouth odor or drooling that lasts more than 2 days; increasing size of the abdomen; increasing inactivity or amount of time spent sleeping; hair loss, especially if accompanied by scratching; persistent coughing or gagging; excessive panting; sudden collapse or bout of weakness; inability to chew food; or a seizure.


Canine emergencies

Emergencies occur suddenly and without warning.  It is important for all pet owners to have a basic understanding of common veterinary medical emergencies and basic first aid for their pet. While no one can be prepared for all emergencies, there are some simple guidelines and clinical signs that all pet owners can follow and look for to help their pet loved ones.

Are there any particular emergencies that I should look out for?

Listed below is a list of common emergency situations with a brief description of their clinical signs. This list is not intended to be comprehensive and should serve only as a guide. In any emergency or illness, be sure and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for more specific recommendations and assistance.

bulletAnaphylaxis - This is a severe allergic reaction and is often recognized by sudden collapse and severe breathing problems. There are many causes that vary from insect stings to contact allergies to injection reactions. Seek veterinary care immediately.
bulletBites and fight wounds - These can be particularly serious if:  there is a lot of bleeding, they involve the head (particularly the eyes, ear, nose or throat); or they have penetrated internal organs or the abdomen.
bulletBleeding - Blood pumping out or dripping so fast that it is making a pool on the floor or blood soaking through a normal bandage within a very few minutes is cause for alarm. These may be cases of severe hemorrhage. Ears, nose, feet, and even torn nails can bleed severely and need veterinary attention to stop the loss of blood as quickly as possible.
bulletBurns and scalds - Unless you witness these injuries, frequently they are not apparent until some time later when scabs or loss of hair or skin are noted.  If you see your pet burned or scalded, contact your veterinarian immediately.
bulletPersistent vomiting and/or diarrhea - Repeated or continuous vomiting and/or diarrhea, with or without blood, could be a sign of poisoning, obstruction, or acute gastrointestinal infection. Dehydration is a major concern, especially in small dogs. Contact your vet immediately before forcing fluid or administering human medications. You may inadvertently give something that worsens your pet's condition.
bulletConvulsions or seizures - This is a series of violent, uncontrolled spasms.  Seizures lasting for more than 3 to 5 minutes or accompanied by loss of bowels or urination are considered serious and medical attention should be sought immediately.
bulletEclampsia - Also known as hypocalcemia, milk fever, or puerperal tetany. This condition affects nursing mothers and may also occur during late pregnancy. Signs are vague and include restlessness, panting, increased salivation, and stiffness when moving. This can soon progress to muscle twitching and spasms, pyrexia (high fever), and death.
bulletHemorrhagic gastroenteritis - This condition is characterized by bloody diarrhea and/or vomiting. Causes range from a change in diet to stress to internal obstruction. Contact your veterinarian if you observe blood in the stool, if the vomiting or diarrhea persists beyond 6 to 12 hours, or if your pet becomes less responsive or weak.
bulletHeart failure - Also known as heart attack, cardiac failure, and cardiac insufficiency.  As dogs age, they may suffer from a condition called congestive heart failure (CHF) which may affect either the left, right, or both sides of the heart.  The condition is often undiagnosed until collapse occurs.  Other signs of this condition include coughing, difficulty breathing, bluish discoloration of the tongue, decreased stamina, and exercise intolerance.  A heart attack, or when the dog collapses, is often preceded by exercise or excitement.  The inefficient heart is unable to pump blood fast enough and there is a severe lack of oxygen to the muscles.  If you observe any of these signs contact your veterinarian immediately.
bulletHeat stroke - This can happen at any time in warm, humid weather. Most frequently it is the result of dogs left in cars in hot weather with too little ventilation. The signs are excessive panting, lethargy, and distress. Unconsciousness can quickly follow.
bulletInjuries - When do injuries become medical emergencies? This is determined by the type and extent of wounds and may be difficult to tell without medical tests. Any penetrating wound to the chest or abdomen and virtually any injury involving the eye should be regarded as an emergency. Injuries to the head or causing difficulty breathing should also be treated as emergencies.
bulletPoisoning - Poisoning of any sort will be regarded as an emergency. If you see your dog ingest a suspicious substance contact your veterinarian. Your pet will most often lick, swallow, or contact toxic materials without your knowledge. Clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, skin damage due to caustic substances, etc. Seek veterinary care as soon as possible to help reduce the spread and further damage of toxins to your pet.
bulletUnconsciousness or collapse - This may occur with or without seizure activity. It often occurs without warning, e.g. sudden heart failure or following a blow to the head. Collapse should always be treated as a medical emergency.

What should I do in an emergency?

  1. Keep calm and try not to panic. By doing so, you will be able to answer any questions from your veterinarian and help your pet loved one.
  2. Contact your veterinarian. Explain what has happened and follow the advice given.
  3. Keep your dog warm and as quiet as possible.
  4. Keep your pet as still as possible when moving to reduce the risk of further injury to limbs or spine.
  5. Carry out any procedures (first aid) advised by your veterinarian.
  6. Transport your dog safely to the veterinarian as directed.

     

 

 

 

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Copyright © 2008 Lone Mountain Veterinary Hospital, Inc.
Last modified: July 28, 2008