Clark Animal Hospital Newsletter
Issue: # 0001 June 02/2008

Dear Pet Owner:

We know that you treat your pets just like your family members. We will do our very best to keep you informed of the important updates in the field of Veterinary Medicine. Our veterinarians have been keeping themselves at the forefront of veterinary medicine. Dr. Joshi, our Director, has just completed accreditation to treat pets with Stem Cells taken from the pets themselves. This kind of modality is very useful in treating old age diseases like arthritis.

Of course we are here to help the pets with vaccines, treatments, surgeries, hospitalizations etc. we are equipped with the latest equipment like digital radiography and endoscopes in addition to regular dentistry, X-Rays and ultrasound etc.

Today we will touch upon the mundane topic of parasites, but remember that parasites affect us and our pets. Therefore, it is important to get ALL of our pets on a parasite prevention program. 

  

Parasites: TICKS
 
Do pet parasites affect humans?
 
Ticks that attach on pets have been known to infect humans as well, causing diseases like Lyme, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and many more infections.  
 
There are many kinds of ticks found in New Jersey. Rahway area has a moderate prevalence rate. The number of tick borne infections has been on a steady rise in the New jersey areas. Fortunately, there is a way to dramatically reduce the risk of such infections in pets as well as in people, by taking some easy and simple steps:  
 
1) Make sure you always check your pets for any ticks that may have attached while the pet was out in the yard or park etc. Always use gloves to protect you while detatching the tick from the pet. If you do not feel comfortable, bring your pet to us and we will remove the ticks.  
2) Always keep your pets on a prescription strength tick preventive. You have to apply this medicine on the pet only once a month, and it only takes less than a minute to do it.  
 
3) After your excursions, make sure that you check yourself for any ticks that may have attached themselves on your clothes or body.     
 
FLEAS
What Can You Do About It
 
Do Fleas just look nasty?   No! They cause some real nasty infections in pets and people.   
 
It has been known for a long time that fleas cause Tapeworm infection in pets if ingested by them. Fleas can also contaminate the food chain of humans, causing the same infection in humans too. Now, for the past decade or so, we have been seeing a much more prevalence of cat Scratch Disease in cats, transmitted by fleas. This infection can cause severe illness in people, but fortunately the mortality rate is very negligible. There are always newly emerging infections that are being discovered by scientists. In the mean time, it is prudent ti  make sure that humans and pet population is well protected against these bugs:  
 
The plan is simple: Make sure that your house and premises is flea free. For the pets, use a monthly flea preventive like Frontline Plus.   For further information, I encourage you to visit www.ClarkVet.com and go on the links page to see more information, especially in the CDC website.  

Intestinal Parasites:
 Can they infect my indoor pet? Can they infect humans?
 
There are many intestinal parasites that 90% dogs and cats are born with. Many of these dogs and cats may continue to be carriers, i.e. they can be carrying these bugs in their bodies for a long time. Even adult dogs and cats continue to get infected with intestinal parasites from the environment. It is imperative that all pets are treated regularly on a preventive basis so that these parasites may be eliminated, and so that these parasites may not infect the humans and other pets.
 
Proud to be in the service of the veterinary profession,  
 
Sincerely,  Anant V Joshi DVM and Associates
Clark Animal Hospital
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Pets need dental cleaning too. We recommend that every pet gets its teeth professionally cleaned whenever there is dental tartar, gingivitis, or halitosis (bad breath).
 
All pets should have their stool tested every year.
 
This is the Heartworm season, and all pet dogs should get a Heartworm blood test done.
 
Use this coupon to offset the cost of pet healthcare.
 
Share this coupon with family and friends.
 
Offer Expires: July 31, 2008.