usually, the recommendation is 6-8 months for dogs and 6 months for cats. There may be a specific reason for your pet to be surgically altered earlier or later depending on the case.

We recommend the first puppy visit be set up for 8 weeks if the mother was properly vaccinated and healthy. If not, six weeks is best to start vaccines earlier.

Bordetella is a bacteria that is one of the components of the Kennel Cough Complex. It is important that your dog be vaccinated if he is exposed to other dogs, especially in a crowded or stressful environment ie: the groomer, boarding kennels and puppy/dog training classes.

Heartworm preventatives help control intestinal parasites as well as protect your dog from contracting heartworm disease. We also have a larger population of mosquitoes over-wintering in urban/suburban areas. These mosquitoes have the potential to spread heartworm disease if a warm day occurs in the winter or early spring.

Contrary to popular opinion, this usually does not mean that your dog has worms, although a physical exam by a veterinarian along with a fecal exam for internal parasites is warranted. Usually dragging of the backside, and/or rubbing the anal area on carpet or furniture is caused by the dog having full anal glands. This condition can be treated by manual expession of the glands regularly and slight dietary modification.

The best cure for this condition is picking up the stool as soon as the dog is finished defecating. When this method is begun with a puppy, he will never learn that this is an option. There are other dietary modifications that can be made. A complete physical exam and fecal check can help to rule out physical conditions that can be addressed.

A flea is a small, flattened from side to side insect that has large rear legs modified for jumping. Fleas can be found deep in the coat of the afflicted animal, or hatching out of pupae in the environment. They will bite people. They can also carry tapeworm eggs, and transmit the tapeworms to your pet.

Heat exhaustion is caused by the progression of hyperthermia, or increased body temperature. The most common cause is leaving a dog in the car in the heat of summer. Heat exhaustion is a medical emergency. The American Red Cross Pet First Aid book recommends first getting the pet out of the hot environment, taking the animal’s temperature, spraying with cool water and transporting to a veterinary hospital immediately. Prevention includes providing appropriate shelter/shade for animals in the heat, never leaving a dog alone in a car in the summer and ensuring a large supply of clean, fresh water for the animal that must be left outside in the summer months.

Puppies need a series of vaccinations starting at about 8 weeks and continuing until they are 16-20 weeks old. The first visit to Elburn Animal Hospital will consist of fecal check, a complete exam, some client education and a vaccine if the pup is healthy. Please call for pricing.

For food recommendations please visit our forms page.

Unless it is visually injured, or endangered by it’s current location, leave it where it is. Call a wildlife rehabilitation center immediately. Veterinarians cannot accept wildlife as patients unless medical attention is being sought by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. You can contact the Fox Valley Wildlife Center at the Elburn Woods by calling 630-365-3800.

The major difference is in the adjuvant. That is the component that helps the immune system have an adequate response to the vaccine. The three year rabies vaccine has been proven to be effective for three full years, while the one year vaccine has not.