Frequently Asked Questions
Dental Health
The most common complaint of pet owners is their pets' breath. A disagreeable odor may be the first sign that gum disease is present. Other signs an owner may notice are red swollen gums, tarter (a yellow or brown accumulation on the tooth surface) or loose teeth. Periodontal disease is the most common ailment of small animals. Gum problems begin when bacteria accumulates at the gum line around the tooth. Unless brushed away daily, these bacteria can destroy tooth-supporting bone, cause bleeding, and if left untreated, cause tooth loss.
Please click here to read about our dental program
Behavioral Consultations
Behavior problems can be very frustrating for you and your pet. The good news is that many of them can be treated! Sometimes a problem can be addressed using behavior modification. Sometimes, an underlying medical condition may promote behavior problems, and correcting the physical issue may correct the emotional one. We are there to help, and we stress that many behavioral problems can be corrected. Don't suffer any longer! Contact our office to learn what options are available.
Intestinal Parasites
We recommend you bring in a stool sample when your animal has an annual or semi-annual check-up. We examine the stool to see if it contains the eggs of intestinal parasites. These can make your pet very sick. Signs of advanced intestinal parasite infestation include diarrhea, dehydration, and shock.
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Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is a commonly acquired tick-borne disease. Animals living in Berks County are at risk. Current recommendations favor a three-pronged approach for the best protection. The most important step is applying a topical preventative monthly. The second step would be to have a 3-DX blood test done annually. (The 3-DX tests for three different conditions: Lyme disease, Ehrlichia canis and heartworm disease.) The third step is for your pet to have an annual vaccination against Lyme disease. The initial vaccine is followed two to three weeks later by a booster. Afterwards, a single protective vaccine is required annually. Even following these recommendations, your pet may still be able to contract Lyme disease. However, these measures are the best preventative steps that currently are available.
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Don't Lose Your Pet - Implant a Microchip!
Implanting an Avid™ Microchip beneath your pet's skin makes it much more likely that you and your pet can be reunited if your pet is ever lost. Each chip has a nine-digit number that is registered after implantation to you or your vet. Most animal shelters and animal hospitals use scanners routinely to determine if a lost animal has a microchip implant. If a scanner finds your number on a microchip, you will be contacted immediately to recover your friend. Information on the microchip system is available at our office. Ask us!
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NeuteringYour Male Pet
Males dogs should be neutered at 4 to 6 months of age. Neutering, or castration, involves surgical removal of the testacies, and also may be required in older dogs if certain diseases develop. Your pet can return home hours after neutering, and he will be fully recovered within a day. Castrated animals cannot reproduce, and this procedure often reduces aggression, roaming, and fighting. Neutered cats usually exhibit a marked reduction in spraying.
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Pain Management
Pain control is a top priority for all the staff at Larkin Veterinary Center. All of our surgery patients are treated both pre- and post-operatively for pain. Before declawing, a cat is outfitted with a patch that serves as a continuous source of pain killer for four days, helping to ensure a comfortable and speedy recovery. The same sort of patch can be used to provide sustained pain relief to an injured pet.
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Rabies Vaccination
In Pennsylvania, dogs and cats over three months of age must be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is a viral disease most frequently transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Less common means of transmission include the introduction of infected saliva to an open wound or fresh abrasion, a mucous membrane, or the eye. If untreated, rabies is always fatal. Pennsylvania's rabies vaccination law therefore protects you and your pets.
Pets exposed to a rabid animal, or one that is possibly rabid, should be confined, isolated, and handled as little as possible. Contact a veterinarian immediately!
If any animal bites you, wash the wound thoroughly, with plenty of soap and water. Contact a physician about medical treatment immediately!
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Referrals
Of course, the team at Larkin Veterinary Center is committed to providing our patients and their owners with the highest quality care. If your pet develops a condition that needs specialized attention such as a cardiac ultrasound, complex orthopedic surgery, or an exam for an unusual eye disorder, our doctors may recommend you consult a veterinary specialist. We'll help you find the specialist who can best meet your pet's needs.
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Spaying Your Female Pet
Spaying your pet prevents her from experiencing heat or becoming pregnant. An animal should be spayed at 4 to 6 months of age, before her first heat. During the surgical procedure, her ovaries and uterus will be removed. Your pet should be able to go home within a day, and she should rest for a week after the operation.
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