Rabies

Paragon Pet of the Month

Meet Aaron Wolven.   

This cute Maltese has been coming to Paragon every three weeks for years.  We love his sweet personality and adorable face!  As you can see, he loves to smile!

Thank you for being a part of our pet family! 

Fall is coming - and so are fleas! Last Autumn, fleas were more problematic than usual. While we hope this will not be the case this year, here are some things you can do to help keep these unwelcome guests away from your pet and your home.

• Check your pet's fur and bedding for shiny black specks. These specks are actually flea droppings. Wash all bedding and treat them with insecticides right away to prevent them from hatching.
• Vacuum your home - especially areas where your pet spends a lot of free time. Empty your vacuum outside. Rinse out canisters and replace filters and bags. Make sure that any debris removed from your vacuums is bagged securely and stored outside.
• Remove yard waste. Fleas will hop on any host that wanders by - including YOU. Making sure your yard is free of leaves, sand, clutter, and clippings reduces opportunities for your pet to pick up unwanted hitchhikers.
• Don't think your "inside pet" can't get fleas. If your pet goes outside, even for quick potty breaks, it can get fleas.
• Prevention is the key. Talk to your vet about prevention options. There are lots of treatments available that can help. Flea collars are largely ineffective and can only help the area they come in contact with - the neck.

If you suspect your pet has fleas, give us a call. We have flea shampoos that are gentle to the skin that will kill any flea on your pet. While he's with us, it's a perfect time to vacuum and clean bedding - even use flea "bombs," if necessary. The staff at Paragon will always call you if fleas are discovered on your pet, allowing us to get permission to provide a flea shampoo and for you to take action at home.

All dogs feel the benefits of proper nail care. Aside from keeping them neat, maintaining proper nail length is crucial to basic pet care. Nails that grow too long can cause changes in your dog's normal walking posture, resulting in soreness in the feet and back. Left unchecked, nails can also curve and grow into the pads of their feet. If your pet's nails seem to grow quickly, you can always bring them in on a walk-in basis in between "spa days" to keep the nail short and encourage the quick to recede. The shorter the quick, the shorter the nail can be trimmed.

We provide nail trims as part of each pet's groom. This can leave the nails edges sharp, which can scratch you, your pet, and your furniture. If you'd like to try our nail filing service for $1.00 a paw, you can see the difference a rounder, shorter nail can make. If you have sensitive skin, or have children in your home, this process can prevent damage due to being scratched with a freshly trimmed nail.

So, how do you know when it's time to bring Sophie in for a pedicure?  Listen.  When you start to hear her nails clicking on the floor or sidewalk, it's time for a trim.