Veterinary Health Care

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Veterinary health care at The Links Road Animal & Bird Clinic in Toronto

• My pet needs to have surgery. Should I be worried about the anesthesia?

  Modern anesthesia is generally quite safe. Most veterinary hospitals perform a physical examination and run blood tests before all procedures requiring general anesthesia to make sure your pet doesn’t have…

• My pet has just been diagnosed with a medical condition/disease I’m not familiar with, and I want to find out more about it. Where can I find information I can trust?

  You can turn to the Pet Health Section of our website, which offers current, trustworthy information on a wide variety of topics. In addition, many veterinary colleges and professional organizations…

• Will microchipping hurt my pet?

  Not any more than a regular vaccine injection. For mammals, the chip is inserted at the back of the pet’s neck, where the skin is loose.  In birds, it is…

• After I have my pet microchipped, is there anything else I need to do?

  Your pet’s microchip should continue to function over your pet’s lifetime without any maintenance; however, the system won’t work unless you keep your contact information current. Whenever you move or…

• Are natural remedies for flea/tick/heartworm prevention safe to use on my pet?

  Although natural remedies may offer some protection or repellency against parasites, they are not nearly as effective as prescription products. In addition, natural remedies often need to be applied far…

• I’ve never seen a flea or tick on my pet. Why should I bother putting my pet on preventives? Isn’t this an extra expense that’s just not worth paying for?

  Fleas and ticks are not just minor nuisances; they can transmit serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases, some of which can be passed to people. Even indoor-only pets are at risk…

• I’ve been late several times when giving my pet a heartworm preventive. Should I be concerned?

  Unfortunately, if you were late or missed a dose even once, your pet could have become infected if he or she was exposed during that time. Call the veterinarians at…

• Why does my dog/cat need to have a blood test before starting heartworm medication?

  Your pet should be tested for heartworm infection before he or she is placed on a preventive to avoid any harmful or possibly fatal complications. For instance, if a heartworm-infected…

• My cat doesn’t go outside. Why should I put him/her on a heartworm/flea/tick preventive?

  Just because your cat doesn’t venture outdoors doesn’t mean outdoor parasites can’t get inside. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm disease, and as you probably know, mosquitoes always seem to find a way…

• Can’t I just give my dog/cat a Tylenol or Advil to help with pain, rather than paying for more costly veterinary pain medication?

  Never give your pet medication intended for people unless your veterinarian has prescribed it. Most over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), can have serious, potentially…

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