Heartworm disease is common in Southwestern Ohio.   More than 250,000 cases of heartworm disease were reported nationwide in 2004, of which almost 5000 cases were reported in Ohio.  Heartworms are carried and transmitted to dogs and cats by mosquitoes.  Heartworms are usually found in the caudal arteries.  Higher numbers of heartworms present in the right ventricle and the atrium of the host's heart.  These worms can lead to significant damage to the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.  Adult heartworms can grow as long as 14 inches, and up to 250 worms can live in a pet at one time.

In dogs, it can be quite difficult to detect heartworm disease in the early stages.  Bloodwork is required and recommended each year.  Dogs with chronic heartworm disease often show signs of coughing, respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, abnormal lung sounds and sudden collapse or syncope, fluid in the lungs or abdomen and sudden death. In cats, acute heartworm can present with diarrhea, vomiting, blindness, seizures or sudden death.  In chronic stages, cats often vomit and show signs of weight loss and anorexia.

As with many diseases, prevention is the best approach.  It may take only one mosquito to infect your pet.  If your pet tests positive for heartworm disease, treatment options may be available.  For more information, read our full article, contact our office at (937) 293-1993 or visit the American Heartworm Society 's website: http://www.heartwormsociety.org

 

Welcome to Hills & Dales Vet Clinic

We are a full-service, AAHA accredited veterinary practice serving the Kettering, Ohio area since 2004. Our highly-trained and compassionate staff is committed to the best possible service for you and your pets.

We have endeavored to provide extensive resources here for you and hope you will find the information and answers you are seeking on our website. If at any time you have questions or would like further explanation, our staff is here for you and can provide the help you and your pet needs. Please contact our practice at (937) 293-1993 to speak directly to one of our trained staff members, to schedule an appointment, or you can click 'Contact Us' at the top of any page on our site to send us your question by email.

Enjoy your visit to our website.

If you're ready to start teaching your kids about pets and animal safety, the best place to start is with our Kids and Pets articles.  Co-authored by Dr. Maimon during veterinary medical school, each article focuses on a specific aspect of owning and raising happy and healthy pets that is tailored to a child's specific age. These lessons each come with printable games, puzzles, and quizzes that help to make teaching and learning fun.

Topics, ranging from age groups K-12 include:

• Bite prevention
• Ways to prevent losing your pet
• Seasonal changes experienced by pets
• Behavorial disorders and communicating with your pet
• The importance of a Humane Society and Animal Shelters
• First aid
• Overpopulation
• Obedience training
• ..And much more.

Click Here to start learning

We chose to be accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association because you and your pets deserve the best veterinary care!

Less than 15% of small animal veterinary practices in the U.S. and Canada have achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association.  In order to maintain accredited status, Hills and Dales Veterinary Clinic must voluntarily continue to be evaluated regularly by the association's trained consultants.

"Hills and Dales Veterinary Clinic belongs to a select group of practices that are committed to meeting the highest standards in veterinary medicine," says Michael P. Andrews, DVM, AAHA president.  "AAHA hospitals pass a stringent evaluation of over 900 standards covering patient care, client service and medical protocols.  By attaining accreditation, the doctors and staff at Hills and Dales Veterinary Clinic demonstrate the best veterinary care available to patients and clients."   For more information about AAHA hospitals, please visit www.healthypet.com.

Currently, Hills and Dales Veterinary Clinic is one of a select few veterinary clinics in Montgomery, Warren and Greene Counties to receive this recognition.    

Fleas and Ticks are a constant problem in the Dayton area.  Many clients believe that flea and tick prevention is no longer necessary in the cold winter months.  However, the moderate winter does little to quell the life cycle of the flea or tick.

Our practice strongly recommends that a pet owner use flea and tick prevention on each pet monthly year round to avoid flea infestations and tick-borne infections, such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis, to name a few.

We are also proactive in the early detection and diagnosis of Lyme Disease and Ehrlichiosis.  Due to the prevalence of heartworm and Lyme Disease both in our patients and the surrounding area, our practice screens pets for Lyme, Ehrlichiosis and heartworm diseases each year through a simple blood test that takes less than ten minutes.

During your pet's wellness visit every six months, our compassionate, knowledgeable veterinarians and friendly staff will be happy to review how to detect fleas and ticks on your pet and the importance of flea and tick treatment, control and prevention.  Year round, monthly preventive is recommended on each pet in your home to avoid and prevent exposure to these parasites and their respective infectious diseases.

Click here to learn more or contact our office at (937) 293-1993 to schedule your pet's wellness examination and early disease detection process.