Entry posted 10/7/2010   Think parasite season is over just because the warm-weather months are coming to a close? Think again! From roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms to fleas, coccidia, bots, and pinworms, parasites are just as abundant in the late summer and early fall as any other time of year. As summer comes to a close, it’s a good idea to get your pet(s) back to the practice for parasite testing and prevention.

The Parasitic Threat — Parasites can affect your health as well as your pet's! Internal and external parasites like hookworms can be passed not only from pet to pet, but also from your pet to you. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, between 1 and 3 million people are infected by hookworms from their pets each year. Even fleas, one of the most common parasites, can transmit parasitic infections, like tapeworms, to your pet and your family. That is why it is so important to protect your pet and your family against parasitic infection.

Diagnosis and Prevention — Different parasites can affect your pet in different ways--anything from no symptoms or simple irritation to life-threatening conditions. The only way you can ensure your pet’s and your family’s safety is to get your pet tested. We are here to help! Visit us to have your pet tested and get control recommendations, as many parasitic infections require unique diagnosis and preventive measures.

Call us today for an appointment, or visit your Pet Portal to learn more. If you are not yet using your Pet Portal, log on today to discover the benefits of managing your pet's health care online with a private, personalized, secure - and FREE - website of your own.

entry posted 3/30/2010    Since this month is set aside for special awareness about Heartworm Disease, I wanted to give some information about the subject. After reading this blog, please feel free to email me with any comments or questions at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !  

So what are heartworms, and how can dogs get them? Heartworms are parasites that begin their lives in the larvae stage and are transmitted to dogs from biting mosquitoes.  Heartworm disease is prevalent in places with warmer climates, including our region of the United States.  Six months after the initial infection, heartworms move into the vessels which carry blood from the heart to the lungs, and they eventually move into the right side of the dog's heart, where they stay as adults and can grow up to 12 inches long.   Cats are much less likely to be infected with heartworms than dogs although infections do occur in unprotected cats.

What are the symptoms of heartworms? By the time you start noticing the symptoms of the disease, the dog may have had heartworms for several years. This is why it is so important to make sure that your dog is tested yearly for heartworms and is kept on heartworm prevention every month.  If you have never had your dog tested or are unsure when the last time he or she was tested, spring/early summer is the best time to do so!  Signs of infection may include an ongoing cough, difficulty breathing, weight loss, and loss of appetite.  As the disease becomes more advanced, heart failure may occur and he or she may develop what appears to be an enlarged stomach, which is actually fluid buildup in the abdomen.   Cats may not show any clinical signs at all; however, coughing, vomiting and difficulty breathing are typically seen in cats suffering from heartworm disease.

If a dog already has heartworms, how can he/she be treated? Before proceeding with treatment, the dog needs to be examined thoroughly by a licensed veterinarian and several diagnostic tests will be run to determine the dog's overall condition. The treatment itself is not without possible complications; therefore, the testing is necessary, and I also will have a consultation with you about the details of the treatment before beginning.  Treatment in cats is more controversial due to the increased risk of treatment-related complications.  Therapy is usually supportive until the worm burden lessens over time with monthly prevention.

Conclusion: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is so much better for the health of your dog or cat to keep him/her on monthly heartworm prevention and to schedule a yearly heartworm test. In the long run, this prevents avoidable health problems, as well as large bills at the vet!

 Why Lift the Lip?: entry posted 1/2010

            Since February is Pet Dental Month, I thought it would be helpful to give you some information about periodontal conditions and preventative measures for dental health. Believe it or not, it has only been within the last ten years that veterinary medicine has really emphasized the importance of dental health in companion animals.

So why is your dog's dental health so important? Well, there are some serious health concerns that result from having a "bad mouth:" heart problems, abscesses on the internal organs, tooth loss, gum disease, and behavioral changes. The bacteria that start in the mouth can easily spread into the bloodstream and cause more dangerous health problems down the road.

How can you tell if your dog needs a dental? Here are a few tips for preventative health!

 1. Use a finger brush on a regular basis to remove plaque from your dog's teeth. We have these at our Simpsonville clinic.

2. Give your dog a dental chew once a day, a product that contains chlorhexidine (we carry a Premium Dental Chew for different sizes of dogs at our Simpsonville clinic).  

3. LIFT THE LIP! Look at your dog's teeth regularly, checking for plaque build-up and extreme stains on the surface of the teeth. Also, check to make sure your pet's gums look healthy. If you see swelling and inflammation near the teeth, a line of extreme redness or a yellow-brown crust between the teeth and the gums, or bleeding gums, your dog is experiencing the signs of periodontal disease. Bad breath is an indication that your dog is in the advanced stage of periodontal disease, and you need to give us a call as soon as possible to schedule a dental.

4. I will check your dog's teeth when he/she is in the office for a yearly wellness exam. I can advise you about any early signs of periodontal disease at that time.

If your dog needs a dental, we do offer ultrasonic scaling to remove tartar build-up. Be sure to take a look at our February promotional page on this site to see how you can save money and take care of your pet's overall health at the same time!

Canine Influenza: entry posted 11/2009

Recently, we've had a lot of questions at the clinic about the Canine Influenza virus (H3N8) and why we are requiring the vaccination for all pets staying with us for surgery, boarding, or grooming services. Of course, the primary reason for requiring the Canine Influenza vaccination is for the protection of all our canine patients and visitors. This is a new viral strain, which is quickly and easily spread from dog to dog. One of the symptoms, a productive cough, allows this dog flu to spread not just through immediate contact (touching noses, licking), but also through the air. Currently, the virus has been reported in thirty-three of the fifty states, and only affects dogs.

In addition to protecting your pet while he/she stays with us, we highly recommend this vaccine if you take your dog to a dog park, any dog events or shows, dog daycare or training classes, and if you normally meet a lot of other neighborhood dogs when you go on daily walks in your community. Remember, you can also be involved in spreading this virus if you handle or come in contact with a dog who is carrying the virus, and then come in contact with your own animal.

So what does this mean for all dog owners? Here are some basic steps to help you keep your pet in good shape. First, make sure that your dog has the best possible chance of fighting any viruses by keeping him/her on a healthy diet and exercise schedule. Then, take the next important step in prevention by having your dog vaccinated against the Canine Influenza. In order for your pet to be well protected, we recommend boostering the first vaccination within two to four weeks. Then, this vaccination only needs to be updated once yearly for ongoing protection.

Please call or come by our office for more information about the H3N8 virus and what you, as a responsible pet owner, can do to protect your dog. The website to visit to read the same brochure that we have at the clinic is: www.doginfluenza.com. This website information is provided by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. 

Obesity in Companion Animals: entry posted 10/2009

Having practiced veterinary medicine for over 40 years, it is interesting to see how societal trends impact my profession. One thing I have noticed is a change in the kinds of cases I now see. When I first started practicing vet medicine, I was treating the majority of my patients for internal and external parasites (fleas, ticks, intestinal worms, etc.), which was a huge problem back then. Now that we have so many great products to treat parasites effectively, I have noticed that the vast majority of cases relate to obesity and the health issues that flow from it, in both dogs and cats. This includes a wide spectrum of problems, from ongoing skin conditions to severe diabetes.

Of course, every patient I see is unique, but I wanted to give some general advice to ALL pet owners, even those who have young puppies or kittens, to help your pet avoid future health issues. First, whether or not your pet is overweight, you must make sure you are controlling food intake. Whether this means picking up the bowl after your pet has eaten, or putting him/her on a morning and evening feeding schedule, it is important that your pet does not develop the tendency to “munch” all day. Just as you would control your child’s eating schedule to avoid health problems early in life, observe your young pet’s eating habits, and give them time to eat until calorie requirements are satisfied.

Second, make sure that your pet has a regular schedule for exercise. Committing to care for an animal involves making that effort to ensure your pet can have some outdoor time for walking, running, and/or playing for enjoyment and exercise. Not only does this help food digestion and overall wellness, it is a great time for bonding, and it even helps your pet’s temperament.

If neither of the above two points helps your overweight pet to lose any weight, it is imperative that you schedule a wellness exam with us. At that time, we can determine whether a special diet might be necessary. Here at Verdin Vet Services, we do carry a variety of canine and feline diets (wet and dry food options) to provide your pet with the best fit for his/her unique dietary needs. Doing blood work can also help us find out whether your pet might need to be treated for a thyroid condition.

Since obesity is such a prevalent problem, I wanted my first blog entry to address it.