Updates from Dr. Anita Moore, DVM - Spring 2009:
New cat and dog 3-year Distemper Vaccines are Here!!
We now have 3-year Distemper vaccines available for the same price we charge for the 1-year vaccine. Other vaccines such as Lyme, Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough (for both dogs and cats), and Feline Leukemia still require yearly revaccination. Rabies vaccinations will continue to be done every 3 years. So this is NOT to say your pet should only come in for veterinary visits every three years. I still recommend that physical exams, heartworm testing and fecals (poop worm testing) continue to be performed yearly.
Continued microchip incentive: We offer $10.00 off just for mentioning this posting.
Your dog or cat have bad breath? It may be time for a dental prophy.
What pet food should I feed?
I am frequently asked what pet food is best. I personally prefer brands such as Instinct, Innova, Precise, Solid Gold, Aunt Jeni's, Halo, Before Grain, Natures Variety, Merrick, Avoderm, Artemis, Wysong, California Natural, Newman's Own, Wellness, and Bil-Jac to name a few. These brands have main ingredients (first 3-5 items listed) that are recognizable food items, such as turkey, salmon, chicken, venison, liver, beef, etc. Other desirable items are rosemary, flax seed, pumpkin seed, and sunflower oil. I also recommend rotating among theses brands to give your pet some variety to break up the routine and keep mealtime interesting. I am not fond of products listing corn or soy as the first or second ingredient. Do not trust "guaranteed analysis" information printed on the side of the bag/can. Even the lowest quality foods will have guaranteed analysis very similar to the premium diets. None of the above applies if your animal has been placed on a prescription diet. Before embarking on a new diet, ask your veterinarian if it is appropriate for your pet.
Where to purchase the pet food brands preferred by Dr. Moore:
Unfortunately, the brands I prefer are rarely carried in the larger pet food stores such as PetCo and Pet Smart. The closest store I know of for this area (and where I shop) is "Crunchies", located just off Route 3 in Crofton, near the Route 424 - Route 3 intersection. Call for directions / store hours at phone: 410-721-5432 or 301-261-6280. Please know that I receive no compensation for my endorsement of Crunchies or the foods they carry.
What about raw diets?
I am not against raw diets, but they do require more planning work and expense than the ready-to-eat variety. You must also carefully adhere to safe raw meat handling and hygiene protocols. Please come by the office if you would like to discuss implementing a raw diet for your pet.
Some of the products we sell at the clinic:
- Glyco-Flex Soft Chews - Great for arthritic cats & dogs; handy palatable joint supplement
- Odor Destroyer - Spray deodorizor that really works for urine, anals, and other nasty smells
- Urine-Off - Another spray product that chemically breaks down urine - does better cleanup
- For fleas - We carry the new and very effective Vectra flea control drops


