As the pet food recall narrows down a toxin... we want to remind you that the premium foods we recommend for your pet are safe. We are watching the recall updates on a daily basis. While many are jumping on the organic & homemade food diets, we would offer a caution. Pets require optimum amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, fat, fiber and vitamins/minerals. Homemade diets are adequate but not the best. For those owners that want their homemade foods evaluated, contact www.petdiets.com for a nutritional analysis. The veterinarians at LAHC still feed their pets formulated premium diets, such as Science Diet.

Now is the time for flea and tick control. Dr. Michael Dryden (KSU) recommends that pets in Missouri and Kansas be on year-round prevention. We recommend the oral flea pill (Sentinel) and the topical flea/tick products (Frontline-Plus and Advantage). No one is immune to fleas. Dr. Dyer experienced a “flea” crisis last summer when her dog Ruby was the unhappy benefactor to the flea infested rabbit colony under her ground level deck. The critters we have that track through our yards: rabbits, squirrels, possums, and raccoons are loaded with fleas!! Ask us about which product would best fit your pet’s lifestyle.

Confirm with us that your pet is adequately vaccinated. During the wet, warm seasons we become more concerned with the spread of Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, and Lyme’s disease. We selectively vaccinate for Leptospirosis and Lyme’s disease based on your dog’s risk of exposure. Any dog that goes into woodland or water environments needs to consider these additional vaccinations. Don’t hesitate to contact us for specific recommendations. We do not want to over vaccinate. Each patient is treated as an individual with different risks and environmental exposure. But we do want to protect your pet from viruses and bacteria that could be life threatening.

Heartworm disease is still alive and well in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. We have confirmed several positive cases this year. These 12-inch long worms crowd into the heart and major airways causing congestive heart failure and bronchial disease. Don’t become lax on giving monthly heartworm prevention. Too many owners purchase 6-months of medication in a 12-month period. These dogs are only protected half of the year. Your dog should be on Interceptor or Sentinel. We have a new product for cats called Advantage Multi, which will give the extra protection against heartworms as well.

Be sure that as you enjoy the summer season with your pet, that they are adequately identified. For many dogs enjoying outdoor sports and swimming, microchipping is a must. Many dogs will lose their collars and/or their owners this summer. A permanent means of identification is the best way to insure that your pet is returned to you. The city of Lee’s Summit will now issue a “Lifetime” license to those pet owners who have a microchip identification number for their pet.

Thank you in advance for providing such excellent care for your companion pets. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions!