Our staff at Animal Health Clinic is filled with passionate animal lovers who are here to help you and your pet! They are highly trained and dedicated to making sure that your pets receive the care and compassion they deserve every time they walk in the door!
We offer the following services to keep your pets healthy:
Advanced Digital X-rays
At Animal Health Clinic in Sherman, TX , we are proud to be on the cutting edge of medical technology. Radiology is a technique and diagnostic tool that we use to look inside the body in an entirely non-invasive way. X-rays allow us to create images of all the body’s organs.
In other words, the use of radiology gives us a view of the internal organs in your pets’ body that we otherwise could not see. It is a valuable diagnostic tool that helps veterinarians detect and prevent illness.
Dental Care
Dental care is vital to the overall health of any pet. Dental disease can lead to health issues with the heart, liver, and kidneys and has the potential to seep into your pet’s bloodstream. In fact, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over three years of age suffer from some form of dental disease, making it the most common pet health issue among our pet population.
Dermatology
Your pets’ skin is the largest organ of the body. Allergies, parasites, infections, autoimmune diseases and cancers can all affect your pet’s skin.
We offer specific diagnostic tests like allergy testing, fungal testing, cultures and biopsies, along with the most cutting edge treatments to ensure the health of your pets’ skin.
Geriatric Care
Preventative medicine is important when our pets are young, but as our pets age, and become prone to certain disease processes, annual exams and blood work becomes even more critical.
Annual exams and blood work to check liver and kidney values, along with thyroid function have the potential to alert us to early changes that may give us valuable information about your pet’s health. We understand the changes your pet will have as they become older, and we also know the importance of keeping your pet healthy as they enter their golden years.
Please call us today at (903) 892-2439 to learn more about caring for your senior pet.
In-House Laboratory
We are very proud of our laboratory. We are able to perform many diagnostic tests quickly and efficiently in it. We can do many simple tests but are also able to offer some more complex ones, too! We are able to run heartworm tests, leukemia and FIV tests, and full blood work for those who are interested in it. There are also many other tests we offer our patients.
The best part of being able to run laboratory tests in our hospital is that we can diagnose your pets much sooner than if we had to send the blood work out to another laboratory. Whenever your pets are not feeling well, we can offer you results and a diagnosis in minutes instead of making you wait a day (or more) for the results.
Microchipping
At Animal Health Clinic, we are happy to offer microchipping. Every year, thousands and thousands of pets go missing. Not knowing where your pet is or how to bring them back can be a helpless, hopeless feeling. It’s a tragedy that happens all too often.
But there is a simple, safe, and effective way to ensure your pet’s safety and retrieval should he or she ever become lost. Microchipping is a standard procedure that implants a tiny chip underneath your pet’s fur. It is a painless and relatively fast procedure and is completely safe.
Nutritional Counseling
Animal Health Clinic offers nutritional counseling for pet owners of Sherman, TX and surrounding communities. If you have any questions about your pet’s diet or would like more information about your pet’s nutritional needs, please contact us today. We can set up a nutrition plan for your pet.
Obesity is a common problem among pets, as it can be easy to overfeed a cute dog or cat that knows how to beg. Being overweight is a serious problem for animals, and can cause real health problems. With proper diet and exercise, all pets should be able to meet their dietary needs and stay within a healthy weight range.
Orthopedic Surgery
We offer a variety of solutions and treatments for your pets’ orthopedic issues. We understand that orthopedic problems can be a big challenge for both pets and pet owners so we are dedicated to working with you and communicating with you throughout the process.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about our orthopedic capabilities or how we can care for your pet, please contact us today at (903) 892-2439.
Parasite Prevention
The idea of your pet being infested with parasites is a disturbing thought, but it’s also a medical issue that can have serious consequences if not properly dealt with or prevented. Parasites pose a variety of health issues for our pets, who can be very susceptible to certain parasites depending on age, region, and other factors.
At Animal Health Clinic, we emphasize the importance of preventing parasites. Through preventative measures, you can successfully protect your pet. Pets that are not protected often develop parasites, leading to serious problems for them and their owners.
Pain Management
Pets that are in pain are miserable. For this reason, we will do whatever we can to keep your pets comfortable.
We have many different choices when it comes to treating apets’ pain. There are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are very helpful with mild pain. We also prescribe steroids which can offer a lot of relief. We also have stronger pain medications if the non-steroidal medications are not enough. We also offer glucosamine in tablets and injections to help with arthritis.
Pharmacy
It is our goal to provide you with complete veterinary care in a professional and accessible atmosphere. That is why we offer a fully stocked pharmacy to fill your pets’ prescription needs.
Having an on-site pharmacy provides you with a more convenient way to get your pets’ medication. We hope that this will save you time and ultimately enhance your experience with us.
Preventative Care
We believe the best way to promote overall health is through preventative care. Regular checkups allow us to establish a baseline in your pets’ health and make us aware of any changes that may indicate future problems.
We highly recommend bringing your pet in for regular exams. Often health problems that go undetected can become more severe issues when left untreated, so checkups are important even when your pet appears healthy.
Puppy and Kitten Care
Getting a new puppy or kitten is very exciting. You have a lot to look forward to. The great companionship that a good pet can bring is very rewarding. However, puppies and kittens come with a lot of responsibility and work. Here at Animal Health Clinic, we are here to help you with your new addition.
First, you should always bring your new puppy or kitten in for a full nose-to-tail examination to make sure that you have a healthy new animal. You also want to get him or her familiar with our veterinary hospital.
Spay and Neuter
Spaying and neutering are important and necessary medical procedures that enhance the quality of your pets’ life. Not only does spaying and neutering have positive effects on your pets’ health, it’s also vital to controlling the homeless pet population.
Vaccinations
At Animal Health Clinic in Sherman, TX , we believe that one of the most important aspects of caring for your pet’s health is vaccinating him or her against possible diseases. There are a variety of diseases which affect our pets, and other animals, so proper vaccination is vital to protecting them from many types of illnesses.
Wellness examinations and vaccines are an integral part of your pet’s health. The following shows Dr. Locke’s recommended vaccination schedules for puppies and kittens:
Puppies and Adult Dogs
8 weeks-Physical exam, distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza and hepatitis vaccines, and a fecal test for intestinal parasites. Deworming. Start flea prevention.
12 weeks-Physical exam, distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza and hepatitis booster. Deworming if needed. Start year round heartworm prevention.
16 weeks-Physical exam, distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and hepatitis booster, leptospirosis, and rabies vaccines. Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine if warranted (based on environmental factors).
20 to 24 weeks-spay or neuter
Adult dogs receive an annual physical exam, recommended parasite tests and boosters of the above vaccines based on their environment and vaccine history. Continuation of year round heartworm and flea preventatives.
Kittens and Adult Cats
9 weeks-Physical exam, feline distemper, viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and chlamydia vaccines, and a fecal test for intestinal parasites. Deworming. Start flea prevention.
13 weeks-Physical exam, feline distemper, viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and chlamydia booster, feline leukemia and rabies vaccines. Deworming if needed.
17 weeks-Feline leukemia booster (Spay or neuter can be done at this age in most cases.)
20-24 weeks-spay or neuter
Adult cats receive an annual physical exam and boosters of the above vaccines based on their environment and vaccine history. Continuation of flea preventatives.
Do all of these vaccine names confuse you? You are not alone! Here’s the basics:
Dogs:
Distemper is a virus that can cause fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, coughing, eye and nose discharge, diarrhea, convulsions, and eventual death. It will attack the nervous system as it progresses. This is a very contagious airborne virus.
Hepatitis virus is not as commonly seen as parvo and distemper, but signs are similar. They include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting blood, and painful joints.
Leptospirosis is becoming more common. This deadly bacteria is transmitted through the urine of infected animals, including rodents (rats, squirrels), other dogs, wildlife and livestock. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, and kidney failure.
Parvo or parvovirus can cause severe depression, bloody/watery diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and fever. It attacks the gastrointestinal tract, stripping the lining. This virus is very contagious through contact with infected patients and contaminated areas including food bowls, bedding, and soil, especially in unvaccinated puppies.
Parainfluenza is an airborne virus that causes upper respiratory infections, coughing and congestion.
Bordetella (Kennel Cough) is an airborne virus that causes a dry, hacking cough through infection and inflammation of the lungs. The vaccination is usually required for dogs who go to groomers, daycare, kennel facilities, or boarding facilities.
Cats:
Feline distemper/panleukopenia is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease that attacks white blood cells causing fever, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea. It is transmitted through oral and nasal secretions of infected cats.
Viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and chlamydia are airborne upper respiratory viruses that can affect the eyes, nose, sinuses and mouth causing discharge, sneezing, oral ulcerations, up to pneumonia.
The above are preventable through vaccination and usually treatable if caught early enough.
Feline Leukemia Virus leads to a suppression of the immune system and anemia and is transmitted mainly through saliva. Cats who are outdoors are at higher risk due to exposure to other, possibly unvaccinated, cats. This virus can cause cancers, destroy the immune system, inflammation of the intestines, and eventual death. Cats can carry the virus for prolonged periods of time before showing any signs.
Rabies is a fatal virus that can attack animals and humans alike. Testing requires a sampling of brain tissue. Rabies vaccinations are required by law. At this time, the state of Texas and the city of Sherman is under a three year rabies vaccination law, meaning all pets are required to be vaccinated with a three year vaccine every three years after they meet specific guidelines. Some cities require more frequent vaccination. Contact us or your local health department if you have questions on your local requirements. Contact us if you are unsure of your particular pet’s status. Persons with unvaccinated pets are at risk of fines, loss of their pet, and/or quarantine of their pet if they bite someone. There is no treatment for rabies.
****The above information is just that, information. It is not intended to diagnose. Do not think that just because your pet exhibits any of the above symptoms that they have the disease or virus associated. It is ALWAYS best to have any pet exhibiting signs of illness examined by a licensed veterinarian for diagnosis.
Wellness Exams
At Animal Health Clinic in Sherman, TX , we believe that regular checkups and wellness exams are critical to your pets’ well-being. These wellness exams give us a chance to evaluate the overall health of your pet while also giving us a baseline for their unique bodies and tendencies.
Not only do these exams keep us up-to-date with your pets’ health, but they also allow us to detect potential problems before they become serious. This thorough checkup gives us vital information to help keep your pet healthy!