FAQ

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="045a45a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Tyson Animal Hospital</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tyson Animal Hospital"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U>About Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News and Events"><U>News and Events</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Location"><U>Location</U></A>   |   <B>FAQ</B>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Products and Services"><U>Our Products and Services</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="046d2b03.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>FAQ</I></div> <div> <B>Should I have my animal spayed or neutered?</B></div> <div> <I>Having your animal spayed or neutered is very important.  This surgical procedure helps prevent infection and prostate cancer.  Studies have shown that spaying a female dog before her first heat will decrease the risk of developing mammary cancer by 13.5%.  Other benefits include decreased aggression and less roaming.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>How soon do I need to vaccinate my puppy?</B></div> <div> <I>Puppy vaccines begin at 6 - 8 weeks of age and continue at one month intervals until they are 5 months old.  Should your animal be older a vaccine protocol can still be established to ensure your pet is protected against disease.  The vaccines commonly given are DHP-CPV which covers distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and canine parvo virus and the Rabies vaccine. </I> </div> <bR> <div> <B>Do my animals need to be vaccinated on a yearly basis?</B></div> <div> <I>Every pet has individual needs and recommendations for vaccines.  Our policy is to outline risk assessment and vaccinate based on that information.  North Carolina policy is that a current rabies vaccination is required and is given at 1 year or 3 year intervals.  Other core vaccines are given at a 1 or 3 year interval depending on risk.  Yearly examination and a heartworm check are essential to maintain your pet's health.  A bi-annual fecal exam helps diagnose intestinal parasites and prevent the possibility of zoonotic infections.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Does my animal need to be on flea, tick or heartworm preventative?</B></div> <div> <I>Flea, tick and heartworm preventative are essential to prevent disease and intestinal parasites.  Heartworm disease is prevalent throughout North Carolina.  The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and effects both dogs and cats.  As the mosquito bites your pet it injects microfilaria into your animal's tissue.  These microfilaria travel through the body for the next 6 months and converge in the heart.  There the now adult heartworms continue to grow resulting in heart disease.  Heartworm disease is fatal.  Studies show that cats do not get as large a population of worms as dogs; however, the disease usually results in sudden death. Treatment for heartworm disease is possible for canines; however, there is no treatment for cats at this time.  Fleas are the cause of tape worms and also result in skin infections due to the constant scratching of your pet.  Ticks carry many diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Erlichia canis and Lyme Disease.  Due to the mild winter we just experienced we will have a larger than normal population this year of these parasites.  Preventative is sold at our facility.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Can I contract anything from my animal?</B></div> <div> <I>Zoonosis is the process by which you can contract parasites from your animal.  Zoonotic infections usually involves parasites.  Skin and intestinal parasites can be contracted from your pet.  Making sure your animal does not have intestinal parasites is accomplished through fecal exams and monthly heartworm preventative.  The heartworm preventative tablets contain medicine that also removes most intestinal parasites.  Physical examination is necessary to determine if skin parasites are present.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>What plants can be harmful to my pet?</B></div> <div> <I>The ASPCA/NAPCC (National Animal Poison Control Center) has a wide range of information specific to animal poisoning, including from plants, cleaning products, etc..  If you think you pet might be poisoned, call your veterinarian .  Keep in mind that even non-toxic plants which have been treated with pesticides and/or fertilizers could be harmful to your pet.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>We suggest reading the information in the </I><A HREF="http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc&JServSessionIdr012=xttmvm4la1.app26b" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pag"><U><I>Animal Poison Control Center's website</I></U></A><I> for more information about poison prevention for your pet.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>What concerns should I have about Summer temperatures and my pet?</B></div> <div> <I>Like humans, heat stress can be a real issue for your pet.  While heat stress can affect any pet, some animals are at a greater risk:</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">very young and old pets</I></div> <div> <I><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">pets who have had heat problems in the past</I></div> <div> <I><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">short-snouted breeds</I></div> <div> <I><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">overweight pets</I></div> <div> <I><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">and pets with cardiovascular and respiratory problems.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Indications of heat stress include excessive panting and drooling, blank or nervous expressions, non-responsiveness, warm dry skin, fever, rapid heartbeat, weakness/fatigue, or collapse.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heat stress call you veterinarian immediately.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Heat stress can be prevented by providing clean, fresh water, adequate ventilation and air circulation, and shade when outside.  Also, avoid strenuous exercise and never leave your pet in a parked vehicle.</I></div> </td> </tr></table></body>