How to choose the right Heart-worm Preventive for my pet?

How to choose the right Heart-worm Preventive for my pet?

        Choosing the right Heart-worm medication for your pet can be quite confusing.  The abundance of information and recommendations your Veterinarian gives you at the time of your dogs wellness visit can be overwhelming. Especially when your pet is acting like a wild Indian it can be quite distracting. But don't worry, Harvey Animal Hospital in Grosse Pointe Michigan is always here to clarify and answer any questions you may have regarding your pets health.

First and foremost lets clarify the basics.  The two most frequently asked questions about Heart-worm disease are, What is heart-worm disease? And How does my pet get heart-worm disease?
Heart-worm disease is transmitted by infected mosquito, and is a very serious potentially life threatening disease that is cause by a worm invasion to your pets heart. These worms mature and reproduce causing severe damage to your pets heart function, and will cause the heart to fail. You can learn more about heart-worm disease by visiting https://www.heartwormsociety.org

   
  Now that you know the dangers of heart-worm disease you can rest assured that you CAN prevent this awful disease.  Consistently giving a heart-worm preventative will protect your beloved pet and keep them safe from this sickness. Perfect! The next question pet owners will ask is “What type of heart-worm preventative is right for my pet?' There are a number of options out there and this is something that your veterinarian will gladly discuss with you and help you choose what is right for your pet and their lifestyle. Heart-worm medication can come in a variety of ways, a beefy treat chew, a tablet, a topical, etc. Choosing which is best for your pet will depend on a number of variables. First off , will your pet take the edible medication or is applying a little oil on their back easier for the pet owner. Is it best for your pet to have flea protection as well? Is your dog around other dogs where they are at risk for intestinal worms and parasites? Yes most heart-worm medication also contains protection against intestinal parasites as well. For instance, Heart Guard is a beefy chew that not only protects against heart-worm disease but also, hook worms and round worms. While Trifexis is a tablet that protects against heart-worm, fleas, hook worm, round worm and whip worm. An alternative to an edible form is Advantage Multi which covers, heartworm, fleas, hooks, whips, and round worms.
There are many options and discussing your pets risks with your Veterinarian will help you decide on which is right for your pet. You can also compare on the chart below.

       The next big misconception is “ Can't I get my pets heart-worm preventative at a pet store or online?” Well yes and no. It is absolutely NOT recommended to purchase heart-worm medications at a pet store or on a generic website. And no its not because your Veterinarian wants to make more money, it is not recommended for the simple fact that the manufactures of these products ONLY sell to Veterinarians. So how did the pet store or generic website get the products? No one knows. It can be counterfeit or fake products and you do not want to risk your pets health by giving these questionable products. A little tip most pet owners don't realize is that the manufactures of these medications will guarantee their product IF and only IF purchased from a veterinarian.  Purchasing online is easy and convenient for most people. Most online pharmacies CAN NOT be trusted, and it is not recommended to purchase products for the same reason I gave above,  unless its directly though your veterinarian. We at Harvey Animal Hospital recognize the ease of purchasing online and we just launch our very own online pharmacy! This pharmacy is our personal pharmacy portal and therefore it is a trusted source for your pets medications. You can get your pets heart-worm preventive and other medications right to your door. Click the link below:
http://harveyanimalhospital.vetsfirstchoice.com/

Another added benefit from purchasing from your veterinarian whether in clinic or on their personal trusted online pharmacy is the rebates that are offered. There are always rebates and other special offers depending on what type of heart-worm preventative you choose.  For example right now if you purchase though our online pharmacy you can get an instant $12 rebate when you buy 12 doses of Heart-Guard and a $5 rebate on 6 doses. Trifexis is currently offering a $25 rebate! So keep your pet safe and protected against the deadly heart-worm diseases and keep your pet on heart-worm preventative. Need a refill of your heart-worm medications? Stay away from pet stores and sketchy online pharmacies. Purchase directly from your vet clinic or their trusted online pharmacy.

Compassionate Veterinary Care Starts with Making the Animal Feel Comfortable

When searching for a veterinarian in St. Clair Shores, Michigan it's important to find one that provides compassionate care to animals. While most vet practices are able to care for the needs of a sick pets effectively, not all offices are the same. Some focus on treating many patients throughout the day, while other veterinarians focus on making the animal feel comfortable by taking their time. Each type will treat the pet's medical condition, but a vet who maintains a calm, trusting environment for the pets treated is going to cause less emotional harm to any pet that comes in the door.

Making the Animal Feel Comfortable
Consider that a sick pet is put into a crate, dragged to the vet's office, and put on a table under harsh light. This isn't going to do much to make the animal feel very comfortable. While the pet owner can make the process easier by getting their pet used to the crate and car rides, the rest is up to the vet's office. The first step is to provide a room for the animal where they can come out of their crate without having to be pulled out. In the waiting room, it always helps to set up dividers so that animals don't have to see each other while waiting for an appointment. For nervous pets, a small, isolated waiting room can work wonders.

How the Animal Is Handled

Vet technicians are great at handling most pets, even those that are stressed and aggressive. The problem is, when a stressed-out pet is handled in such a manner that restricts their movement, this can have a lasting effect on their ability to trust other humans. It takes time to get a pet to calm down and trust the person who is trying to assess their medical needs. Rushing an exam usually leads to the need for the pet to be held tightly. In an emergency, this is often necessary, but a vet who takes the time to allow the pet to relax often provides more compassionate care.

Finding the Right Vet for a Pet with Special Medical Needs

All pets deserve quality medical care. When searching for vets near me in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, it's important to look at what the needs of the pet are. For some pets who are comfortable around other animals, a large vet office with an active waiting room will be fine. For other pets, especially those that are medically in need, a more compassionate approach may be necessary. Some vets focus on providing care to as many animals as possible throughout the day, while others focus on getting the pet to trust their actions as they provide treatment. When one has an animal with special medical concerns, it's often useful to find a quiet vet practice in the area.

Pets that Require a Gentle Touch
No vet's office should ever handle a pet roughly, but some offices are known to be more gentle than others. A busy practice is going to focus on getting the job done quickly, as there will often be other patients in the waiting room that need to be seen. Pets that require more gentle handling do better in offices that are focused on treating one patient at a time, and doesn't rush you out because of a waiting room full of other patients. In general, it is usually about the size of the practice and whether the office is also an emergency veterinarian provider. In an emergency pet hospital, it can be incredibly chaotic just because pets may be in crisis.

Choosing a Vet in Detroit, Michigan
There are numerous vets to choose from in the city of Detroit, Michigan. This means that it's possible to find an office that is both close to the home and offers the services one is seeking for their pet. In a busier practice, a pet may get less attention, and “conveyer belt” care.  In an office that allows pets to relax and get to know the environment first, you and your pet will feel comfortable and even build a bond with the veterinary staff. Overall, it is up to what the pet needs and what works best to get the animal compassionate treatment that doesn't traumatize the animal further.

Animal Lovers Can Find Compassionate Care in Grosse Pointe Finding a Grosse Pointe Veterinarian is the First Priority

One of the first things responsible pet lovers do when adopting a new family cat, dog, hamster, bird, or exotic animal is to search for a nearby veterinarian. Whether they want to schedule a general check-up or an initial series of pet vaccinations in the Grosse Pointe area, Harvey Animal Hospital is the top choice! New pet caretakers will love the veterinary options available, knowing they have easy access to an animal hospital that is so close to home and features a skilled and caring team of fellow animal lovers.

What Can Devoted Animal Lovers Look for in a Local Veterinarian?

Finding the right veterinarian clinic usually involves a variety of factors for busy people with beloved pets. The following are a few things new pet owners might keep in mind when searching for the ideal veterinarian:

         -The Office Features Convenient Hours. Whether single, married or a large family, modern life is busy for everyone, so it is important to find a veterinarian office that offers plenty of reasonable hours from which to choose to fit their schedule. Pet lovers might look for a care facility that offers business hours Monday through Friday, along with some weekend hours. And that the trusted veterinarian facility has a referral program in place in case of emergencies after hours and holidays.

         -The Veterinary Staff Uses a Low Stress Approach to Care. These techniques will help make the visit less upsetting for the pet and in turn make the owner less stressed as well. A low stress handling approach can help the animal relax and may also make the pet enjoy the vet visit

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         -The Animal Hospital Offers a Full Menu of up to date Services. The more preventive and acute care services that a busy animal lover can find at one animal hospital, the better for everyone, including the animal. A few key ways local veterinarians help their pets and their families include providing important vaccinations, giving regular health check-ups, answering questions and concerns, and implanting microchips to track and identify treasured pets in case they get lost.

         -The Veterinary Team Puts the Pet and Family's Needs First. The most compassionate veterinarian teams understand what pets mean to families and work hard to put their needs first. These professionals not only do so for the pet but for the entire family that loves that pet. Families and their pets will find the kind of care and flexibility they need at our local Grosse Pointe animal hospital