At Ross Bridge Animal Hospital, we believe that the best way to prolong the relationship you share with your pet is to identify disease processes early, and prevent the progression of chronic illness before it becomes a problem. To keep tabs on your pet’s overall health, it is important to maintain annual exams and blood work. We recommend an examination by your veterinarian every 6 months. Those pets with chronic disease or mobility issues may require examination on a more frequent basis. We also recommend annual blood work profiles to provide a continuous record for our veterinarian to identify trends and specific areas to focus on in an effort to prolong the duration and quality of life of our patients.
Periodontal disease (disease of the structures around the tooth--the gums, bone, and connective tissue) is one of the most common problems that we deal with on a daily basis at Ross Bridge Animal Hospital. Periodontal infections, tooth fractures, and oral masses can be sources of serious discomfort for your pet. Additionally, untreated periodontal infections can cause damage to major organs of the body including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Proper veterinary dental care can help prevent your pet from developing painful dental conditions, and can extend their life expectancy as well.
If you notice your pet acting strangely, including loss of appetite or energy, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible for an examination by our doctor. Pets have an instinctive tendency to hide pain and illness so that they do not show any weaknesses that might attract predators. As pet owners, by the time we notice a change in behavior, the animal may have been suffering for several days already.
If you notice visible parasites on your pet, call us today and schedule an appointment so that our veterinarian can recommend the appropriate treatment for your pet. Flea and tick preventatives have improved greatly in recent years. These preventatives are safe and effective and come in a wide variety of forms. At Ross Bridge Animal Hospital, we fit the preventative product to the pet's problem and environment.
There are several factors that help determine the best age for spaying and neutering including your pet’s breed (larger breeds wait longer) and individual health status. Prior to any surgery at Ross Bridge Animal Hospital, all pets undergo a physical exam and a pre-anesthetic blood screening to determine overall fitness for the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery.
Typical spaying and neutering for most pets not used for breeding purposes is usually recommended between 4 and 6 months of age. Spaying and neutering help with animal population control and prevent unwanted pets. Just as importantly, spaying and neutering can improve the overall health of your pet, and help in avoiding certain reproductive diseases, and some types of cancer.
Heartworms are a serious, year-round parasitic threat to your pet’s health. After an infection occurs, treatment is not only very expensive, but can also be life threatening.
These are extremely common in the warm, humid environment in Hoover, Alabama, and can infect both our canine and feline companions. Heartworms are spread when a mosquito bites an infected animal and then transfers the juvenile worms when it bites a healthy animal. Unless your pet is taking a heartworm preventative, these immature worms can grow into adults that can cause serious damage to your pet’s blood vessels, lungs and heart, and may even cause death.
There are several options available for prevention of this potentially life threatening disease. A monthly preventative can keep your dog or cat healthy and is much less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. Our veterinarian at Ross Bridge Animal Hospital will determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on needs and lifestyle.
Our mission is to promote and facilitate pet health, wellness and comfort. We believe it is our responsibility to use the gifts given to us by God to ensure that the pets in our care achieve the highest quality of life possible. We will achieve this by providing up to date, and proven, medical and surgical procedures, putting in place a compassionate and knowledgeable support staff, and going above and beyond to ensure the pet, as well as the owner, is fully satisfied with the care we provide.
