May is National Pet Allergy Awareness month! According to a recent survey, more than half of pet owners aren’t aware their dog or cat can also be miserable with seasonal allergies in the spring and summer months as well as suffer from environmental or food allergies year round! Symptoms of allergies can be as simple as sneezing, watery eyes, or itchy skin all the way up to intestinal distress, ear issues, and respiratory problems. The are a couple of precautionary steps pet owner’s can take to prevent things like food and environmental allergies such as keeping your pet on a grain free food (most dogs have some type of grain sensitivity or allergy), using all-natural cleaners in your home, and keeping plants that are toxic to pets out of your home and yard. Seasonal allergies are often hard to prevent, but knowing the signs and symptoms of allergies can help save your pet from seasonal allergy suffering.

April is Heartworm Awareness Month! The Butte Humane Society Clinic is a proud member of the American Heartworm Association and we are committed to keeping our clients informed and educated to best protect their pets. Did you know that both cats and dogs have been diagnosed with heartworm in all 50 states? While heartworm is more common in dogs, cats are at risk for contracting heartworms as well.

The best offense is a good defense when it comes to preventing heartworm infections! Because of the large mosquito population in Northern California, there are as few as 6 and as many as 25 confirmed heartworm infections per veterinary clinic in our region! Monthly heartworm prevention should be given for the life of your pet; we recommend that your pet starts on monthly heartworm prevention by the time they are 6 months old and have a heartworm test every year to make sure everything is working as it should.

Unfortunately, if left untreated, heartworm disease can be fatal. Heartworm disease affects the heart, lungs and pulmonary blood vessels of pets and can be fatal to both dogs and cats. Annual testing and monitoring is important- even if they are on heartworm prevention, because prevention (as with human flu vaccines, etc.) are not 100% effective, and infected dogs can be successfully treated. The earlier the infection is caught- the easier it is to treat! There are no approved treatments for cats, but supportive care can help manage complications.

Has it been over a year since your pet’s last heartworm test? Give our clinic a call today to schedule your exam and heartworm test with our vet and pick up your pet’s heartworm prevention prescription today!