Spay and Neuter Early: Prevent Homeless Kittens
By Pet Alliance Medical Director, Dr. Becky Rhoades I have said “woulda, coulda, shoulda” so many times in my life, but then the opportunity is gone and I missed out. When it comes to getting your cat spayed, it’s more than just a missed opportunity. It’s more mouths to feed, more vet bills, and for […]
Canine Allergies
What is an allergy? An allergy is a state of over-reactivity or hypersensitivity of the immune system to a particular substance called an allergen. Most allergens are proteins. The allergen protein may be of insect, plant or animal origin. Exposure to the allergen, usually on multiple occasions, sensitizes the immune system, and a subsequent exposure […]
Feline Heartworm Disease
What causes heartworm disease? Heartworms are a blood-borne parasite called Dirofilaria immitis that reside in the heart or adjacent large blood vessels of infected animals. The female worm is 6 to 14 inches long (15 to 36 cm) and 1/8 inch wide (5 mm). The male is about half the size of the female. Heartworm […]
Canine Vaccinations
What is a modified-live vaccine? In a modified-live or live-attenuated vaccine, the causative organism (virus, bacterium, etc.) has been weakened or altered so that it is no longer harmful or virulent, but is still capable of stimulating protective immunity when injected or otherwise administered. What is a killed vaccine? With a killed vaccine, the causative […]
Feline Vaccinations
Recent advances in veterinary medical science have resulted in an increase in the number and type of vaccines that are available for use in cats, and improvements are continuously being made in their safety and efficacy. Veterinarians routinely recommend certain vaccines for all cats (called ‘core’ vaccines) whereas others are used more selectively according to […]
Feline Allergies
What are allergies and how do they affect cats? One of the most common conditions affecting cats is allergy. An allergy occurs when the cat’s immune system “overreacts” to foreign substances called allergens or antigens. Allergens and antigens are simply foreign proteins that the body’s immune system tries to remove. These overreactions are manifested in […]
