Current Wellness Recommendations

Heartworm and Flea Prevention

Heartworm and flea prevention has been a longstanding recommendation at McGilvray's and will continue to remain so.  We are now using a product that we feel will provide the most thorough protection against fleas.  The product we are using is a topical medication, placed on the skin once a month.  In addition to heartworm, flea, and intestinal parasite prevention, this new product will also provide a small amount of protection against some ticks.  When combined with a tick collar we believe that we are offering excellent tick prevention should your pet require it. 

Ticks

The staff and doctors at McGilvray's believe that prevention and/or early detection of disease are the fundamental keys to achieving a happy healthy life for yourpet.  Based on data collected over the past few years, it appears that ticks are moving into the neighbourhood!  Previously thought to only inhabit certain hotspots in Southern Ontario, ticks are now being found within the city of Toronto and surrounding area with increasing frequency.  There are many different types of ticks, which may in turn carry different diseases that can be transmitted to your pet.  Diseases spread by ticks can be difficult to diagnose and treat.  Dogs are at an increased risk of coming into contact with ticks (when compared to cats) because of their more active outdoor lifestyle.  Therefore, this year McGilvray Veterinary Hospital will stock tick prevention collars.  Tick collars are thought to be the best method of preventing tick infestations available to us today.  Even though our monthly heartworm preventative medication kills ticks, it does not prevent them from landing on your dog and spreading disease.  Be sure to ask us about tick prevention during your dog's annual heartworm/wellness exam.  For more information about ticks, visit the links below.

VeterinaryPartner Tick Information
University of Guelph General Tick Information Sheet

Fecal Examinations

This year the doctors at McGilvray's are recommending that your pet have a stool sample examined to ensure he/she has not contracted any intestinal parasites prior to the summer months.  Intestinal parasites (i.e. worms, giardia, etc.) can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and other gastrointestinal disease.  Intestinal parasites are easily treated and should be considered part of your pet's yearly wellness check.