Category Archives for "Vet Approved"

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Tick and Flea Prevention: What You Should Know Before You Buy

Tick and Flea Prevention: What You Should Know Before You Buy

Imagine This: You were excited to go home and try a tick and flea prevention product you just bought. You can finally get rid of the parasites from your dog and from your home. And get that good night sleep you look forward to have.

And your dog seems to be excited too! So you both sat there while you read the instruction of the product box.

But your happy mood gets dampened when you realized that you bought the wrong product! Your dog weighs lighter than what the tick and flea preventive is intended for. Tsk.

You called the store and thankfully they can change the product to the right one. Still, you were annoyed at yourself for not knowing beforehand the right product for your pet.

So before you buy anything, you have to know the product first.

Here are the basic essentials you should know of tick and flea prevention products:

Tick and Flea Prevention: Know The Minimum Age Required

You cannot just buy a tick and flea preventive without checking for the minimum age required. There are products that allow puppies as early as 4 weeks while some products cannot be given until your dog is already 6 months old.

Tick and Flea Prevention: Know The Weight Of Your Dog

Another detail to know about your dog is their weight. More often than not, tick and flea preventives differentiate their products by dog weight. This is because a larger dog requires more of the ingredients than a small dog. You have to be careful in reading if it is in pounds or kilograms.

Tick and Flea Prevention: Know If Your Can Buy Over The Counter

Many tick and flea preventives can be bought over the counter but there are those that need a prescription. This is because others have higher form of treatment to ensure that the parasites are killed.

Tick and Flea Prevention: Know The Duration Of Effectiveness

One of the important details to know on tick and flea preventives is their length of effectiveness. There are those that only have a 24-hour duration that you have to give or apply to your dog everyday, while there are those that can last for a month or up to 8 months. Your choice may depend on your lifestyle and preference.

You can check out the different types of tick and flea preventive products here: Tick and Flea 101: Choosing The Right Tick and Flea Preventive For You And Your Pet

Tick and Flea Prevention: Know What The Product Targets

As the pet owner, you want to know what the product targets. Even if it says ticks and fleas, you have to figure out if it include flea eggs or larvae as some products only target adult fleas.

There are also tick and flea preventives that can prevent internal parasites such as heartworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.

In a nutshell, there are a lot to consider when choosing the right tick and flea preventive for your dog. If you cannot decide or need a better insight on removing these parasites from your pet and home, best to consult your vet.

 

Flea infestation may mean you need immediate attention on addressing the fleas. And you may need a vet’s sound advice on that. This way you will be sure that you have the right tick and flea prevention product for your pet and your home.

 

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

 

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client

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Tick and Flea 101: Choosing The Right Tick and Flea Preventive For You And Your Pet

Tick and Flea 101: Choosing The Right Tick and Flea Preventive For You And Your Pet

What’s that crawling on your wall? A tick! Tsk. And your mind is in overdrive to buy that tick and flea preventive you saw on your Facebook feed.

Sad to say in the Philippines, ticks and fleas are present all year round. Yes, more so during the summer months.

The good news though, there are tick and flea preventive products that are readily available for you to use on your dog. So much so that you might be confused which one to choose for your dog.

Here are the types of Tick and Flea Preventives in the market today:

Tick and Flea Preventive: Topical Medication

Topical Medication for fleas and ticks include powders, sprays, shampoos and spot-on treatments. The first three mentioned can last from a day to a week. Sprays can last longer as long as your dog does not get wet.

As you can see, the effectiveness is very short and is best used when coupled with other flea and tick preventive.

Spot-on treatments may be the best topical medication, one such medication is Frontline Spot On.

Spot-ons are applied on the base of your dog’s neck or in between the shoulder blades where they cannot reach with their tongue. The medication spread to the sweat glands of your dog which repels the ticks and fleas. Your dog can go swimming and the medication will still be effective for as long as 30 days.

Tick and Flea Preventive: Oral Medication

A popular solution to tick and flea prevention is the oral medication for dogs. This comes usually in chewable tablets that are palatable to your dogs for easy giving. Your dog might think it’s a treat but is actually a medication to kill off those parasites.

In today’s market there are various chewables you can choose from for your dog. Some focus on killing adult fleas, flea eggs and ticks in your dog as well as in your home. Others include preventing heartworm disease, treating roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.

Most if not all of the oral medication that comes in chewable tablets lasts for 30 days. So you have to give this to your dog monthly. Simparica, a new product in the market can last up to 35 days.

Tick and Flea Preventive: Collars

Another type of tick and flea preventive is the collar. Yes, you read that right: a dog flea collar. These dog collars have active ingredients that kill off fleas, flea larva and ticks. A known dog and cat flea collar is Seresto.

With Seresto, you just simply place the collar on your dog’s neck and you have a tick and flea free pet and home for the next 8 months. Take note though, effectiveness may shorten if your dog loves to take a swim.

So there you have the top 3 tick and flea preventive products that you can choose from. If you are still confused, you can discuss the best one for your dog with your vet.

 

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

 

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client

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Happy Client: Geinah Magadia Giducos

My Bogart is definitely in bad shape w/ maggots on his huge open wound and infected scrotum.

I called a lot vet clinics but none of them would like to accommodate him.

This hospital is definitely heaven sent w/ polite and courteous staffs… It’s absolutely your money’s worth <3 and indeed the St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals <3

- Geinah Magadia Giducos

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Can You Use Dog Anti-Flea Product For Your Cats Too?

Can You Use Dog Anti-Flea Product For Your Cats Too?

While cleaning your house, you see some crawling ticks and jumping fleas inside and outside your home. That is not a good sign.

You need to get rid of them fast. So you went to the nearest pet supply store and bought a Dog Anti-Flea Product. You realized that cats too can have the same ticks and fleas as your dog.

So you thought maybe the dog anti-flea product can be safe for your cats as well. Or is it?

With the many products available in the market today, do you think your cat will be safe with a dog anti-flea product? The obvious answer is NO.

Want to find out how you can get rid of these parasites naturally, read this: Can You Get Rid of Ticks and Fleas Using Kitchen Ingredients?

Here’s why:

The Dog Anti-Flea Product Can Be Harmful To Your Cat

You have to understand that dog anti-flea products are for dogs only. Unless stated that the product is also good for cats, most tick and flea preventive for dogs have an ingredient that is effective for dogs but harmful for cats.

Cats have a more sensitive metabolism than dogs that even getting in close contact to dogs recently treated should not be allowed.

The ingredient pyrethrin can be bearable to a cat but in concentrated form can be dangerous. This is the chemical that is included in dog anti-flea products that your cat may be exposed to, usually found in topical tick and flea preventives.

When you see your cats not in their usual behavior, show signs of weakness, muscles twitching or shaking, then best to bring to the nearest veterinarian.

The best thing to do when you have both cats and dogs in your house and need to get rid of ticks and fleas, you have to separate them for the meantime when treating them from these parasites. You can also consider using tick and flea prevention products good for both cats and dogs.

But you have to remember never to give a dog anti-flea product to your cats.

There are anti-tick and flea products specially made for cats such as Broadline, Frontline and Seresto:

You can buy these online now:

 

If you want to learn more about anti-tick and flea products for dogs you can go here: Tick and Flea 101: Choosing The Right Tick and Flea Preventive For You And Your Pet

 

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

 

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client

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Tick and Flea 101: Do Fleas Bite People?

Have you ever wondered if fleas bite people?

Has it crossed your mind that you or your family can also be a victim of flea bites?

You thought that having a dog and dealing with parasites is a one sided event. But you have to admit that nature does not work that way. Not all the time.

So to answer the question: Yes, fleas bite people.

Flea Bites Are Itchy

And like dogs scratching the itchiness away, flea bites on human can also be itchy. This is because parasites like fleas are good carriers of bacteria that can cause diseases to pets and humans alike. And like dogs, flea bites on people will come out like red spots.

Though for humans if you are able to resist scratching, the red spots can go away after a few days. But for dogs, flea allergy can be a result of flea bites.

Dog Flea Allergy: Do You Know Your Dog Can Be Allergic To Fleas?

What To Do When Fleas Bite People

As mentioned above, do not scratch the flea bites on your skin. Put ice on the flea bite or run cold water on it. This is to lessen the tendency to scratch as cold water can numb the area. You have to do this repeatedly though to make it effective.

While getting rid of the fleas in your home, you can put on anti-flea sprays or lotions on your skin. Remember mosquito repellents? There are flea repellent for humans as well. These usually are with citrus, cedar or minty scents because fleas do not like them.

It is common knowledge that when you have dogs, you can expect at one time or another that you have to deal with ticks and fleas. Unless if you are a smart pet owner, you prevent them from coming in the first place. To prevent fleas biting humans, tick and flea prevention is always the key.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

 

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client

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Tick And Flea Prevention: Why You Should Be Alarmed When Your Dog Scratches Too Much

Tick And Flea Prevention: Why You Should Be Alarmed When Your Dog Scratches Too Much

Are tick and flea prevention products common in your news feed?

If you are a dog owner you probably came across tick and flea prevention more often than you would like. You can read them in any social media sites or you have shared some information about it one time or another.

Who wants to talk about fleas and ticks anyway?

Nevertheless, it is a topic few would want to talk about but are very much curious to learn more.

When you see your dog scratch, what do you do?

At first you might ignore it as it can be a natural instinct for your dog to do. But when you notice that your dog is scratching more than usual, you will check on the itchy spot.

You will see if there is something going on there: presence a parasite or red spot.

If either is visible, you should be wary already. If it is a tick or flea, you have to get rid of them using a tick or flea preventive. For red spots, you can use of over the counter products to get rid of the redness.

Tick and Flea Prevention: Consult Your Vet

But if you are wise, you would bring your pet to the vet to know why there is redness on your dog’s skin. You will not just eliminate the symptom but the cause of it.

While you are there, you can also inquire on the best tick and flea prevention that your dog can have.

As a responsible pet owner, you have to know that some dogs can be allergic to fleas. Read more about flea allergy here.

There are many products on tick and flea prevention. Because these parasites are part of reality in owning pets. And having them in your homes is not a good sign.

So the next time you see your dog scratching too much or itching all over - bring to the vet as soon as you can. You do not only secure your pet’s health but your family’s as well.

 

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

 

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client

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Dinky’s Corner: What You Should Look For When Starting Your Vet Practice

Dinky’s Corner: What You Should Look For When Starting Your Vet Practice

Who Influenced Her To Become A Vet

Originally, it was her father who wanted to become a Vet. However, lack of time and resources did not allow him to pursue that path. Still, her father’s love for animals and dedication to their welfare created a strong family vibe that Dra. Santos imbibed with her love for animals. She keeps 9 cats, 1 dog, and a hamster. She expressed a certain fondness for a cat named “Gandhi”, a local domestic shorthair, which is her favorite companion when she goes home for the weekends.

What You Should Look For When Starting With Your Vet Practice

Having your first job at makati Dog and Cat Hospital will set you up for a thriving Veterinary career, as you will learn from a premier Pet Hospital that is managed by 4 generations of expert Vets.

Makati Dog and Cat Hospital provides you an environment of openness and knowledge sharing in the science and practice of veterinary medicine. With Dr. Santos, she is very much interested in Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery and is looking forward to being exposed to more specialized cases to gain experience. Expect to be trained in the latest equipment and technology that will boost your career as a Veterinarian. “Not everything can be taught in Vet School,” she said.

Dr. Santos expressed this in her first few weeks with us. Her initial experience brought her new experiences and a better appreciation of what it really means to be a veterinarian. She hopes to learn as much as she can as she feels she is in the right place and with right people for her to do that. With Makati Dog and Cat Hospital, you have our support!

 

First Hand Experience with Dr. Charisma Sunny C. Santos, DVM
A Certified Pet Lover and Newest Member of Our Team

P.S. She has 9 cats, 1 dog, and a hamster :). Do you still need proof that our new Vet is a certified Pet Lover?

Drop by our Pet Hospital and you’ll meet Dr. Charisma Sunny C. Santos! She is a young vet who recently joined last September 9, 2017. She’s a recent graduate of the De La Salle-Araneta School of Veterinary Medicine and raring to start off her career in Vet Practice.

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ParvoVirus Vaccination Awareness: Parvo Cases On The Rise! Be A Responsible Pet Owner And Update Your Pet’s Vaccination Especially Against The Parvovirus

ParvoVirus Vaccination Awareness: Parvo Cases On The Rise! Be A Responsible Pet Owner And Update Your Pet’s Vaccination Especially Against The Parvovirus

Did your dog suddenly experience bloody diarrhea? Or lost appetite and yet vomiting? Or just not in his or her usual normal self and has fever?

Your pet may be a victim of the parvovirus.

And if left untreated this virus can kill your dog in less than 72 hours.

Not to scare you or anything but any responsible pet owner knows that Parvo virus can be fatal to your pet. And what makes it worse is because it is contagious. Your other dogs can be affected with the virus as well. Or your neighbor’s pet with parvovirus can pose a danger to your dogs.

Recently, the parvo cases that are brought to the hospital have increased. And that is not a good sign.

So what should you do to avoid the parvovirus from infecting your furbaby?

Parvovirus Vaccination Awareness

Here are the Top Frequently Asked Questions on the Parvovirus and Its Prevention:

Q: Is the Parvovirus vaccine necessary?

Yes. The 5-n-1 Vaccination that includes Parvovirus vaccine is a recommended vaccination for your dog. This vaccine is the only way to keep your dog protected from distemper, parvo, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parainfluenza.

Q: I have a new puppy, how do I make sure that he or she does not get the parvovirus?

Puppies at least 6 weeks old can be given the 5-n-1 Vaccination that includes the Parvovirus Vaccine. Best if you got your pet’s vaccination record to know if the vaccine was already given.

If the puppy is less than the recommended age for the Parvovirus Vaccine, limit the exposure to other puppies or dogs that you are not sure has been vaccinated. Avoid bringing your puppy to places where unvaccinated dogs may be roaming and be exposed to parvovirus. Ex: public parks, village basketball courts, etc.

Q: My dog already had his Parvovirus vaccine during his first year, is that enough protection?

Adult dogs should be vaccinated with the Parvovirus vaccine every year. After the 4th shot at 15-17 weeks old, Parvovirus vaccine should then be given yearly after that.

Q: My dog is not feeling well lately and seem to be lethargic, does she have Parvovirus?

Whenever your dog is not doing well or not her normal active self, always bring to the vet. This is to make sure that your pet will be given proper medical attention and care that she needs. A test is done to check if your dog has parvo in the vet clinic or pet hospital.

If you have any more questions regarding the Parvovirus do not hesitate to ask. Just hit reply (comment) and we will answer your query. Or ask your vet for further details and discussion on this virus and its vaccine.

For more details on vaccination schedule you can check out the vaccination schedule here for dogs: Pet Vaccination Schedule

You have cats? Refer to this Cat Vaccination Schedule

The bottomline is to make sure that your dog is properly vaccinated from the start - from puppyhood to adulthood. For the first year there will a lot of vet visits but after that, you can bring in your pet for annual check-ups and include in it the vaccinations needed.

Some pet hospitals like Makati Dog and Cat Hospital offer Vet Home Service for your convenience.

Hope to see you soon in our pet hospital for your pet’s vaccination!

 

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client

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Happy Client: Ivy Mamburao

So thankful to Makati Dog and Cat Hospital for making my little Berry well. Dr. San Pedro did such a great job in taking care of my dog from the time I brought him in when he was ill, up to the time that he’s well and ready to go home.

The handlers took good care of my little Berry too! I saw that every staff in this clinic - be it veterinarians, front desk people, handlers, and even the guard - show genuine care for dogs and cats alike which is reassuring to pet owners like myself.

I have nothing but good words for Makati Dog and Cat Hospital. I’m just glad I chose this clinic for my dogs. Highly recommended!

- Ivy Mamburao

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Flea Remedies: 3 Best Remedies To Get Rid Of Fleas On Dogs

Flea Remedies: 3 Best Remedies To Get Rid Of Fleas On Dogs

You’ve seen it, haven’t you?

And you even have to remove it from your furbaby’s skin.

It’s an ewwww moment, but you gotta do what you got to do.

Yep, that flea needs to get away from your dog, fast.

For dog lovers, this can be a common thing.

Yes, it’s not just you. Been there. Done that. And maybe even more.

We have seen it, we have removed it and we have put it away.

How? Well, you can think of different ways.

And you ask, what are the different ways to remedy fleas from your dogs?

Let me tell you some of the best flea remedies for your dog:

Flea Remedies: Protect Your Home

Fleas thrive in a house where they are being ignored. They can hide in a corner or in your carpet. Do not let this happen.

It is important to have a habit of cleaning off everything in your home. If you use carpets, arrange them in such a way that it will not meet the wall, that’s the fleas favorite spot right there.

Wash pet beds as well as furniture covers. Vacuum at least once a week all over your house and don’t forget to throw away the trash bag where you emptied your vacuum bags into.

You can put refined salt or baking soda on your furniture and carpet to keep off the fleas from making a home in there.

Flea Remedies: Protect Your Garden

It is not just your home that you should protect but also your garden, if you have one. Interestingly, you can get help from other insects to eradicate fleas.

Ladybug’s meal consist of soft-bodied bugs like fleas. An adult ladybug can consume as much as 50 insects a day.

If you see fire ants in your yard, do not totally get rid of them. Keep them in your yard as they are flea larvae eating machines. You can allow fire ants to be present but in a controlled manner.

Flea Remedies: Avail of Flea and Tick Treatment

To end flea infestation quickly, here’s the one thing you can do: talk to your vet and ask on the best flea and tick treatment in the market.

Flea and tick treatment gets rid of ticks and fleas fast. And effectiveness is long lasting. There are products that last up to 30 days. So you can just give your pet a chewable tablet once a month to make sure that your fur baby is tick and flea free.

There are several flea and tick treatment available in the market today and you can discuss this with your pet’s vet to find out the best option.

Next time you come across a flea, you know what to do.

If you need a quick relief that lasts longer, you can try the new Simparica Dog and Flea Protection. It protects your pet from nasty tick and flea infestation not just 30 days but up to 35 days.

To order yours, call Ms. Mylez at these numbers: 896-6386 / 896-2860 / 0908-896-711.

 

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Pet Happiness Expert
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

 

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client

 

Sources:

https://www.jcehrlich.com/fleas/top-8-flea-home-remedies/
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/best-home-remedies-fleas/
https://www.rd.com/advice/pets/home-remedies-for-fleas/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_multi_flea_control