Heartworms are parasitic worms that are common in both dogs and cats. Like their name suggests, they live in the dog’s heart, normally free-floating in the right ventricle and nearby blood vessels. The worms are transmitted from dog to dog by mosquitoes which pass the worm larvae through their saliva. The presence of heartworms can be very dangerous to the dog’s health.
To help you see early symptoms and to hopefully save your dog, look out for these signs:
• Dogs that have been quite active usually tend to be tired easily.
• Dogs that would have been otherwise healthy usually gasp for breath.
• Coughing of your dog has suddenly become a common occurrence.
• Dogs bred for hunting could no longer keep up with rapid chases and usually fall from exhaustion.
• In some rare instances, the dog experiences convulsions, jaundice, and problems in the vision.
Once a dog has been diagnosed as having heartworms, treatment must be started. What this treatment is and how it is administered is defendant on the stage of heartworm infection. Generally, there are four stages of heartworm disease.
• Stage One – Dogs at the lowest risk – heartworms are detected in X-rays but all other tests appear normal.
• Stage Two – Dogs are moderately infected, may have some difficulty breathing and be demonstrating coughing
• Stage Three – Dogs are severely affected and may display weight loss, have difficulty breathing, blood tests likely show kidney and/or liver damage
• Stage Four – Dogs have Vena Cava Syndrome and are in shock, essentially dying – surgery may be undertaken to remove worms, but there is no guarantee that it will save the dog.
There are also drugs that could prevent your dog from getting heartworms. These drugs attack the parasite in its early stages and stop the worms from being full-blown adults later. This doesn’t mean that your dog would be free from infection. This only means that dogs can still get infected during the season of mosquitoes and yet remain unscathed of heartworms.
Presently, there are two tests for diagnosing heartworm disease in dogs. Both tests require just a small amount of blood and are performed at most animal hospitals.
Dogs should be tested once a year for heartworm disease. The heartworm antigen test is the preferred method. In order to perform the test, a small amount of blood is drawn from the dog’s forearm or neck vein. This test detects the presence of the adult heartworm in the pulmonary arteries and / or the dog’s heart. The heartworm antigen test is extremely accurate and is a very reliable method for diagnosing heartworm disease.
The second technique used for diagnosing canine heartworm disease is the microfilaria filtration test. This relatively simple test also requires a small amount of blood. The blood is filtered, stained, and then examined under a microscope. If microfilariae are seen, the dog is positive for heartworm. Unfortunately, this test does not have the accuracy of the antigen test. Heartworm is a serious deadly disease of dogs. All dogs living in a heartworm infected region should be tested (annually) for heartworm.
The veterinarians and staff at Carlsbad Animal Hospital have been helping people help their pets since 1969. Your pet is an important part of your family—that’s why we provide only the most state-of-the-art veterinary care along with genuine care and compassion. Your pet’s health and happiness is just as important to us as it is to you. Modern 4,000-square-foot facility features four examination rooms, separate dog and cat kennel areas, two advanced diagnostic laboratories, a dental treatment room and a surgical suite featuring the latest veterinary medical technology. Animal Hospital veterinarians are committed to helping you keep your pet healthy and happy—now and for years to come.

If you are a pet owner, it is time that you got to know a veterinarian. If you enjoy pets enough to own one or many, then you should take the time, energy and money to properly take care of those beloved pets.
Some pet owners believe that a visit to animal hospital is only necessary when a pet is suffering or ill. And while you definitely want to visit a veterinarian when your pets become ill or start to show abnormal symptoms, you should also schedule routine appointments for your pets just like you schedule regular appointments for you and your family to visit a physician. There is no good reason not to give your pets the best care that you possibly can. Many simple problems and sicknesses can be prevented or solved easily by early detection, even in pets, so make it a priority to see your veterinarian regularly.
New pet owners should make appointments immediately to see a veterinarian and get a full health check for your new friend. Let your veterinarian teach you all about your new pet. Learn about the best ways to care for your pet, the best food to feed it, the best ways to bathe it, and the levels of activity that are necessary for keeping your pet healthy. You may be surprised how much there is to learn about each variety of different pets. Whether you have a dog, a cat, a bird or a horse, I guarantee you that a veterinarian will teach you helpful tips that you didn’t already know.
If you are currently a pet owner and have never taken the time to schedule appointment for your pets, do so now. Talk to your other pet-owning friends to see what veterinarians are respected in your area. Flipping through your phonebook or doing a simple internet search can also help you explore options for finding the right veterinarian in your area. Some vets specialize in certain animals, so be sure that you schedule a visit with a veterinarian that has vast experience with your particular pets.
If you think that making appointments for your pets to see a veterinarian is silly, then I wonder whether or not you are suited to be a pet owner. You must consider your lifestyle and your ability to provide the right level of care for pets. Be honest with yourself and know that it is much better to give up a pet you already own than to keep that pet and not care for it properly.
The veterinarians and staff at Carlsbad Animal Hospital have been helping people help their pets since 1969. Your pet is an important part of your family—that’s why we provide only the most state-of-the-art veterinary care along with genuine care and compassion. Your pet’s health and happiness is just as important to us as it is to you. Modern 4,000-square-foot facility features four examination rooms, separate dog and cat kennel areas, two advanced diagnostic laboratories, a dental treatment room and a surgical suite featuring the latest veterinary medical technology. Carlsbad Animal Hospital veterinarians are committed to helping you keep your pet healthy and happy—now and for years to come.

One of the most significant decisions you can arrive at as a pet owner is deciding where to take your pet for medical aid. A lot of people think that just about all veterinary hospitals are basically the same. This is not true. Finding the right fit for you and your pet is really important and the tips and suggestions below are all things you can use when doing your search.
You should look for particular characteristics when selecting an animal hospital. Location is an important consideration. However, don’t choose to go to some Animal Hospital just because it’s closer to your home than any other. By traveling a few extra miles you could discover a hospital where both you and your pet feel more comfortable. Ask yourself the following questions before coming to a final conclusion.
1. Was the receptionist friendly, compassionate, and knowledgeable?
2. Is the animal health center in a convenient location?
3. Do their hours of operation fit into your schedule? Are they open late on weekdays and on Saturdays?
4. What kind of services do they provide? Do they offer wellness exams, parasite prevention, and vaccinations? Can they evaluate and treat your sick pet?
5. Are they affiliated with other facilities that can provide additional health?
6. Do they have competitive, affordable fees?
Be sure to visit any hospital where you plan to take your pet. While visiting you could also ask if you can possibly take a tour of the facility. Pick up brochures to take home with you such as a price list of services offered, etc.
Compare the services, advantages and disadvantages of all the veterinary facilities in your area. When you go see the animal hospital, look at the cleanliness, the interaction of the staff with your pet and you, and check the kennel area where the animals are kept, to see if it is clean and smells clean as well. You can tell a lot by what your nose tells you.
The veterinarians and staff at Carlsbad Animal Hospital have been helping people help their pets since 1969. Your pet is an important part of your family—that’s why we provide only the most state-of-the-art veterinary care along with genuine care and compassion. Your pet’s health and happiness is just as important to us as it is to you. Modern 4,000-square-foot facility features four examination rooms, separate dog and cat kennel areas, two advanced diagnostic laboratories, a dental treatment room and a surgical suite featuring the latest veterinary medical technology. Carlsbad Animal Hospital veterinarians are committed to helping you keep your pet healthy and happy—now and for years to come.

Adopting A Dog from A Shelter

Adopting that cute puppy at the animal shelter may take a little more thought than just purchasing a dog license.




According to most pet professionals, there are a few factors that you should take into consideration when you adopt a pet from an animal shelter.

It is sometimes very difficult to predict how big a puppy is going to get by looking at it. That’s surprising to say, but with a mixed-breed animal, you really don’t have a clue how big it’s going to be. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unhappy owners once they find out this animal is two to three times the size that they had expected. Ultimately, these animals end up back at the animal shelter because they grew up and didn’t fit in the household anymore.

Adopting A Cat

You may have heard the saying, “You own a dog, but you feed a cat.” It is true that cats value their independence a bit more than their canine counterparts. If you’ve ever been around cats, you already know they crave and require love and companionship. Cats make wonderful pets and most easily adjust to a variety of lifestyles and living spaces. Every cat is a true individual though, so it’s important to take the time to choose a four-footed friend who’s right for you. A cat’s personality, age and appearance, as well as the kinds of pets you already have at home, are all things you should keep in mind when making your selection.




If you’ve ever been to a shelter, you have probably noticed that some cats meow and head butt the cage door, while others simply lie back and gaze at you with a look of total ambiguity. There are as many different personalities of cats as there are cats in the shelter. Which disposition is best for you? You have to decide.

Adopting a Pet

Adopting a pet is a big decision. Dogs and cats are living beings who require lots of time, money, and commitment—over 15 years worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.

Some parasites are easy to detect and treat while others are not. Fleas are commonly detected with the naked eye, while the symptoms of heartworm infection are usually not spotted until it’s too late. Whether its ear mites, hookworms, fleas, roundworms or heartworms troubling your dog or cat, parasites must be dealt with quickly and effectively to ensure your pet remains healthy and happy.

Regular grooming sessions with your pet, as well as frequent check-ups by a veterinarian, can go a long way toward spotting and preventing parasites.If parasites do manage to make it through your defenses and attack your pet, there are treatments available. One such treatment is Revolution, developed by Pfizer.

Revolution is a topically-applied medication that provides all-around protection from parasites for your dog or cat. Revolution kills adult fleas, prevents flea eggs from hatching, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls both ear mites and roundworms. After applying Revolution, it enters your pet’s bloodstream and redistributes itself from the blood to the skin and other tissues, where it provides protection against parasites.




For more information about Revolution for dogs, click here.
For more information about Revolution for cats, click here.

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that mainly affects older dogs. Symptoms of canine arthritis vary, but there are some telltale signs that many dogs exhibit. These symptoms include stiffness in the morning, hesitation to exercise, reluctance to go up or down stairs, decreased appetite and defiant behavior. Dogs that are obese are more prone to suffer from arthritis. If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, or if you believe your dog may have arthritis, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.

It’s easy for owners to dismiss signs of arthritis as symptoms of “old age.” But pets can continue to lead active, vibrant lives, even in their senior years. Your veterinarian may recommend a treatment program for your dog that includes changes in diet, an exercise regiment and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

One of the leading arthritis treatments for dogs is Rimadyl. Developed by Pfizer, Rimadyl has been proven clinically effective for pain relief associated with arthritis. More than 10 million pets have been prescribed Rimadyl. With Rimadyl, your pet is able to move about freely, running up stairs and happily jumping into the car for a ride. To learn more about Rimadyl, click here.

A diet focused on weight reduction and plenty of exercise is the key to shedding pounds from your pooch. Your veterinarian can help you develop a responsible weight-reduction plan. A high-fiber, low-fat dog food is recommended, and treats should be healthy, small and given sparingly.Exercise is another important factor in weight loss.Frequent exercise, such as running, dog agility games or even simply playing fetch in the backyard will burn calories and reduce appetite. It takes about 10 to 12 months to see results from a typical canine weight-loss program.

There’s another tool pet owners can use to shrink the size of their canine companions. In 2007, Pfizer introduced Slentrol, the first prescription weight-loss medication designed specifically for dogs. Slentrol reduces appetite and fat absorption to encourage weight loss. Slentrol should be used as part of an overall weight-management program. Your veterinarian can determine whether Slentrol is right for your dog and a treatment program can be initiated. Slentrol should not be used in cats, and humans should not use Slentrol under any circumstances. To find out more about Slentrol and how it can help your dog lose weight, click here.