General Pet Tips

• Have your pet spayed or neutered.  We recommend this procedure be done at about 6 months of age.
• Summer's hot weather can be a tough time for outdoor pets. Be sure to provide a shady area for the pet to get out of direct sunlight. Make fresh water available at all times. Heat stroke can develop suddenly. If a pet is having trouble moving around, make sure to check the hair coat and skin frequently to rule out fly bites and maggot infestation.
• Dog owners - For your peace of mind and the safety of your beloved furry friend, please consider obedience training.  Upper Ohio Valley Obedience Training does a wonderful job, and it's fun too !  Puppy classes are offered, as well as classes for adult dogs and their owners.  Proof of vaccination is required.  We recommend your dog have the Kennel Cough vaccine beforehand as well.  Please call Upper Ohio Valley Obedience at 304-242-7942 or 304-845-0677.  Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits of obedience training.
• Vaccinate your pets - talk to your veterinarian about them if you have concerns or questions.
• Always have a collar with ID tag on your pet!- A pet with a collar and tag on is not a stray, it will tell whoever finds your pet who it belongs to. Microchipping is another way to identify a lost pet.
• Spring is the time to begin flea and heartworm preventives. If you have stopped treating your pets over the winter, now is the time to start again. A yearly heartworm test is recommended for dogs not treated 12 months a year. Flea treatments begun on pets now should be continued until at least the second frost of the fall. Pets should also be treated and checked closely for ticks especially during the spring and early summer.