Preventative Care

We provide the standard vaccinations for Parvo, Distemper, Rabies, Bordatella, and Leptospirosis. These are diseases that are much, much easier to prevent than to cure. We also offer titer testing as a way to make sure our pets have a sufficient immune response to fight off disease while allowing us to get away from the possibility of over-vaccination. If this is of interest to you, we would be happy to discuss how titer testing could be used to help inform our vaccinating decisions.

Heartworms, i.e., Dirofilaria immitis, are parasites that live in the pulmonary vasculature and heart, causing severe, possibly fatal, heart disease. Because they are transmitted by mosquitoes, places with warm, humid climates are much more severely affected than drier or colder climates. It is estimated that 30-50% of dogs in East Texas that are not on heartworm prevention will become heartworm positive. The bad news is that, without a blood test, it is usually impossible to know that your dog is infected until it is too late. The good news is that these are easily prevented. We will be happy to discuss the various options for heartworm prevention, and which would be best for your pet.

Fleas are the number 1 cause of itchy dogs and cats. Ticks borne illness occurs much less frequently than flea infestations, but is often much more severe, possibly fatal. There are several great options for flea and tick prevention for both dogs and cats, and we would be happy to discuss your needs and provide a solution.

With literally hundreds of brands and varieties of dog and cat food on the market, it can be overwhelming to know if you are making the right decision. Dr. Embry takes a keen interest in sorting out nutritional fact from fiction, and would be happy to help guide your decisions in diet selection. We also carry prescription diets for those times when your pet might need a little extra help.