The Villages - August 2022 - 29

While no medication is guaranteed, Dobies says
heartworm prevention products can be 99.9% effective.
" (The preventatives) kill any larva that may have
gotten into their body in the previous 30 days, " Dobies
says. " So it doesn't protect them going forward. It protects
retro actively. And that's why you have to treat your dog
monthly, because each month there's a new risk. "
Dobies recommends combination products, which
prevent other types of parasites.
" It's really the case of an ounce of prevention being
worth a pound of cure, " he said. " One last thing to
remember is that heartworm disease is very difficult to
treat, and the treatment is a poison that is hard on the
dog's system, so there are sometimes complications
associated with heartworm treatment - that's why it's
better to give the monthly pill that helps cut through all
that nonsense. "
Unfortunately, Dobies and his UrgentVet staff have
seen dogs who've contracted heartworms.
" The very first symptom is usually coughing, " he said.
" Along with that comes exercise intolerance, and some
pets even faint and develop more serious symptoms.
One of the first questions we ask clients is whether their
dog is on a heartworm prevention medicine and if they
are, we're probably not going to run a heartworm test
immediately. Instead, we take chest X-rays to look for the
reason for a dog's cough. Sometimes we'll see evidence
of heartworms disease, and in that case, we ask if it's
possible their dog missed a pill, vomited or spit it out. "
HEAT EXPOSURE
Living in the Sunshine State
is great
for sandal-wearing and
sunbathing, but there are risks to
consider when the temperatures
rise, especially concerning our
active dogs.
" Something we see very
commonly every spring in the
south is hyperthermia and heat
stroke - when the weather warms
up really quickly and our pets are not
acclimated to the heat, " Dobies says. " If
they're accustomed to exercise, they may
not be accustomed to exercise in 90-degree weather
with high humidity. And so we see dogs come in for
hyperthermia and then heatstroke, which is an elevated
body temperature that could be life threatening. "
Being conscious of these risks and making concessions
is key.
SIGNS OF OVERHEATING
Dogs blow off heat by panting, which makes their
tongue and the tissues in their mouth swell, Dobies notes.
" If you're outside on a bright, sunny day and your dog
starts panting uncontrollably, and their tongue is really
rolling out of their mouth, eyes are bulging and their lips
are pulled back, get that pet in the shade. If they're really
struggling to breathe, give them some cool (not ice) water
to drink and wet their paw pads and ears. Let them cool
off gradually, because if they get to the tipping point and
they can't bring that temperature back down naturally,
their temperature is going to go up really high and that
can be life threatening. "
When your regular vet is closed, UrgentVet
offers a range of discounted treatments for pets
experiencing discomfort. Visit urgenvet.com for a
complete list of services and clinic hours.
MAGAZINE
29
" If you like to run with your dog, walk with your
dog, hike with your dog or go to the beach with your
dog, remember it takes time to get used to the big
swing in temperature. If you have a dog that we call
brachiocephalic (a short-muzzled face), like a bulldog,
pug or a Boston terrier - heat is not their friend. I always
tell people, once we get past April or May, you should be
walking and doing your outdoor exercise in the morning
and in the evening after the sun goes down and not in the
heat of the day.
http://www.urgenvet.com

The Villages - August 2022

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The Villages - August 2022 - Cover1
The Villages - August 2022 - Contents
The Villages - August 2022 - 1
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