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All those little live things
The weather is turning warmer, the flowers are blooming and it is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with our pets. Ticks, fleas and mosquitoes are also more active and abundant this time of year. Their bites are not only painful for our pets but also transmit disease and cause allergies.
 Tick bites transmit lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever . These diseases can cause serious health threats to our pets. Ticks that are carried into our houses by our pets also can transmit diseases to humans. With mobile society and changing weather patterns, these diseases once rare in our area are becoming more common.
Fleas have always been common in our area. Their bites are not just irritating and cause scratching but are associated with allergy. The flea saliva injected when they take a blood meal is a potent allergen. “Hot spots” and skin infections are very common this time of year. Fleas are also the intermediate host for tapeworms.
 Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting heartworm disease. Larva that circulate in the host of an infected pet are ingested, undergo transformation and are re-injected into a new host. These worms mature and go to the heart where they repeat the cycle. These mature worms can be six inches long and can cause serious heart and lung disease.
How to keep our pets safe?
1) Annually test for heartworms and tick borne diseases.
2) Monthly heartworm preventatives are extremely effective in eliminating infective larva from reaching the heart.
3) New flea and tick preventatives are also very effective to kill these parasites before they cause disease.
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A message from THE Stahlers
The Animal Hospital first opened 33 years ago. Debi and I have had the pleasure to be here for most of those years. We as well as the doctors and staff would like to thank you for your support and many referrals over the years. Our hospital and the veterinary profession have seen exciting changes. New procedures, diagnostics, drugs and patient care have revolutionized the practice and art of veterinary medicine. These changes have improved the quality of life and have extended the time we have with our pets. With proper care our little friends will have a happy and long life. We are committed to offer you and your pets the best care that is possible.
We have an amazing staff to serve you. Some have been here almost as long as Debi and I. Our average key staff members have been here over 10 years. Our goal is to not only provide you with the best care but also make you feel that you and your pets are part of the Animal Hospital family.
Debi and I have seen Antioch grow from a small town to a city. We have raised our two sons, Kevin and Allen here. Kevin recently graduated from UC Berkeley and Allen is attending Chico State University. We believe Antioch is a great place to live and work. We are proud that the Animal Hospital is part of our community.
Drs. Jack and Debi Stahler
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JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED:
A survey of Americans ages 60 and over (both pet owners and non-pet owners) revealed some of the many benefits of pet ownership. Pet owners say they are healthier and happier:
65% say companionship is the biggest benefit of having a pet
54% say their pet helps reduce their stress levels
63% say their pet brightens their mood
52% of pet owners say they exercise at least once a day
Give your dog or cat an extra pat; they are good for your health! |
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Hospital pet lovers to see. Click on our hospital photos to see behind the scenes pictures at the Animal Hospital. We have just started adding pictures so bring us your digital photos and let your pet be an Animal Hospital Star. There is a counter so you can see how many times your photo has been seen. Click on coupon to get money savings coupons. Our current coupons are for Iverhart Plus (generic Heartgard), Advantage, Advantix, Frontline and Promeris to protect your pets from “all those little live things” that are so abundant this time of year.
