Heartworm disease

Inside or out, all year round, all dogs are at risk for heartworm disease no matter where you live in the US.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease in dogs is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Heartworms spend their adult lives in the pulmonary arteries. Adult worms can cause lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and arteries.

How do dogs get heartworms?

Heartworms are transmitted from one dog to another by mosquitoes, which pick up tiny immature heartworms when they bite an infected dog. Larvae develop in the mosquito and then are transmitted to another dog when that dog is bitten by the invective mosquito.

Where are dogs at risk for heartworm disease?

Inside of out, all year round, all dogs are at risk for heartworm disease no matter where you live in the US.

How are dogs tested for heartworm disease?

A veterinarian will collect a small blood sample from a dog and evaluate the sample using a specialized test kit to detect the presence of adult heartworms.

How can heartworm disease be prevented?

Pet owners can use a monthly heartworm preventative. Heartgard Plus kills tissue larval stages of heartworms and helps prevent them from developing info adults which causes heartworm disease.

Burch Creek Animal Hospital Provides two types of heartworm preventatives.

Heartgard Plus monthly chewable, or ProHeart injections.

You can purchase a 6 month supply or 12 month supply of Heartgard Plus at our hospital or our online pharmacy.

ProHeart injections can be given by your veterinarian to prevent a full 6 months or 12 months of heartworm disease.

American Heartworm Society website:  https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources

Call us today to learn more about heartworm prevention!

 

 

Puppy & Kitten Vaccines

Puppies

 

8 Weeks:            

  • Complete physical exam by a veterinarian.
  • DHAPP vaccine (Distemper, Hepatitis,  Parvovirus and Parainfluenza virus).
  • Deworming (Pyrantel)  (first dose given at visit, owner gives 2nd dose at home in 2 weeks).
  • Heartgard (Heartworm prevention chew) 


12 Weeks:          

  • Complete physical exam by a veterinarian.
  • DA2PPL vaccine (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza virus).
  • Bordetella vaccine (“Kennel cough”).
  • Stool check (fecal sample).
  • Heartgard (Heartworm prevention chew)


16 Weeks:          

  • Complete physical exam by a veterinarian.
  • DA2PPL booster.
  • Rabies vaccine (1 year).
  • Heartgard (Heartworm prevention chew)
  • Microchip (optional).

When does your puppy need to come in next?
Once your puppy is finished with their puppy vaccine series,  they will be seen once a year for a complete physical exam including a dental/oral health check, necessary vaccines and heartworm testing.

​

Kittens

 

8 Weeks:            

  • Complete physical exam by a veterinarian.
  • FVRCP vaccine (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici and Panleukopenia virus).
  • Deworming (Pyrantel)  (first dose given at visit, owner gives 2nd dose at home in 2 weeks).

12 Weeks:

  • Complete physical exam by a veterinarian.
  • FVRCP booster
  • FeLV/FIV test (Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency virus for outdoor cats)
  • FeLV vaccine (Leukemia) for outdoor cats.


16 weeks:          

  • Complete physical exam by a veterinarian
  • FVRCP booster
  • FeLV booster (for outdoor cats.)
  • Feline Rabies vaccine (1 year).​​
  • Stool check (fecal sample).

​When does your kitten need to come in next?
​Once your kitten is finished with their kitten vaccine series,  they will be seen once a year for a complete physical exam including a dental/oral health check, necessary vaccines and deworming based on their lifestyle (indoor vs outdoor).

Surgery & Anesthesia

Surgery & Anesthesia Care

 

  1. After a complete physical exam, comprehensive blood work is offered to ensure safe kidney, liver, and heart function for anesthesia.
  2. Light sedation will be given for relaxation and pain relief along with an IV catheter and fluids to help keep your pet hydrated and provide perfusion. ​
  3. Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and temperature) are closely monitored by a trained technician before, during, and after the surgery. ​
  4. All procedures are done with your pet on a warm circulating water blanket for maximum comfort and temperature control.
  5. Following the procedure, our team stays by your pet’s side until they are fully awake and ready to go home. ​​
  6. We believe in total pain management before, during, and after surgery so that your pet is comfortable at all times.

Dental Care

Dental Care

Did you know 80% of pets over the age of 3 will develop some form of dental disease?
Below are listed some signs of dental disease, however, many pets do not show any symptoms until late in the disease process. Part of your pet’s routine wellness exam includes a thorough dental exam in order to detect and address any signs of dental disease at the earlier stages.

Signs of Dental Disease

  • bath breath
  • discolored teeth
  • swollen/bleeding gums
  • change in appetite
  • difficulty chewing
  • painful and sore mouth

Stages of Dental Disease

STAGE 1:

  • plaque accumulation- slimy film of bacteria that coats the teeth
  • tartar buildup- plaque hardens into calcified deposits that form on the teeth

STAGE 2:

  • gum inflammation- allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, negatively impacting vital organs

STAGE 3:

  • Gum separation – problems beneath the gum line such as infection, bone decay, and fractures will lead to necessary extractions

We can help! Schedule a dental cleaning today