At All Creatures Pet Hospital, our veterinarian understands that all pets in his care have their own unique needs and conditions that will ultimately change as they age. Whether you have a brand new puppy or kitten, or a senior companion animal, we will create a wellness program tailored to the individual requirements of your pet.

PUPPIES AND KITTENS

Very young animals have many of the same health concerns, most of which can be met as soon as they are old enough to be vaccinated. Vaccinations not only protect your pet from many common diseases, but certain inoculations such as rabies are required by law. Sterilization is another need for all puppies and kittens not used for breeding purposes. Spaying or neutering your pet will not only prevent unwanted litters, but it can also prevent certain disease states later in their lives. Microchipping is another part of the wellness program at All Creatures Pet Hospital. Microchips are a permanent form of identification which significantly increases the likelihood of having your pets returned in the event they become separated from you. Heartworm prevention in both puppies and kittens is crucial for their long-term health. In addition to heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks can all be prevented using products available at our hospital. Other considerations for young pets include getting your pet off on the right foot with nutritional and dental counseling. Finally, blood work also can be measured in puppies and kittens which provides a baseline of your pet's health that can be compared to blood tests when your pet is older.

ADULT PETS

As pets mature, many of their health needs begin to change. Keeping your pets up to date on vaccinations, heartworm preventative, intestinal parasite prevention and flea and tick products continues to be an important part of the wellness protocol at All Creatures Pet Hospital. Other health matters such as yearly dental cleanings become more important for adult dogs and cats. Studies indicate that pets as young as one year of age can begin to experience periodontal issues, and approximately 80% of pets over the age of three have some form of periodontal disease. Dental examinations and cleanings, as well as brushing and proper diet at home, are extremely important for adult pets. Maintaining a proper weight through a healthy and balanced diet will postpone and possibly prevent issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and joint problems as they age. Blood work continues to be an important part of the health of adult animals, as these values can help our doctors discover possible issues before the onset of disease.

SENIOR PETS

As your furry family member begins to age, Dr. Hankes will continue to care for their individual needs. Large-breed dogs may be considered "senior" at the age of five, while average and smaller breeds are considered "senior" at the age of seven. It is important to bring an older animal to All Creatures Pet Hospital more frequently, just as older humans see their doctor more often. Blood work becomes the cornerstone of disease diagnosis and prevention, as the tests can discover and track the early onset of issues facing older pets. As with people, age-related considerations for pets include osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart conditions, and certain types of cancer.

Contact the caring staff at All Creatures Pet Hospital to schedule a wellness visit for your pet. Regardless of the life stage of your pet, our experienced veterinarian and employees are ready to care for your pets, just as they care for their own!

All Creatures Pet Hospital offers veterinary surgical services to pet owners in Gardendale, Fultondale, and Birmingham, Alabama. Our state-of-the-art surgical suite is equipped with innovative tools that enable us to provide excellence in operating procedures for your pet. Dr. Hankes always recommends running blood work for each pet prior to undergoing surgery. Blood work can determine if the liver and kidneys of your pet are functioning properly so that anesthesia can be administered as safely as possible. During the pre-operative procedure, pain medication is given to keep your pet as comfortable as possible during surgery. Before and after the procedure, your pet's vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels are continuously monitored by our veterinarian. At the conclusion of the treatment, your pet will be kept warm and will continue to be monitored during the recovery period.

Dr. Hankes has more than 23 years of successful surgical experience, therefore you can rest assured that your pet will be in skilled hands.

Did you know that board-certified veterinary dentists state that pets can live 15-20% longer with regular dental care? That is a lot of additional time that you could spend with your healthy pet. Dr. Ted Hankes has many years of hands-on veterinary dental experience, ranging from healthy pet teeth cleanings, extractions, and oral surgery.

HOW DOES REGULAR VETERINARY DENTAL CARE HELP MY PET LIVE LONGER?

Dental disease in pets begins just as it does in humans, with bacteria in the mouth. Without brushing or professional cleaning, these bacteria will start to harden and form plaque and tartar. Continued neglect of your pet's teeth can lead to tooth and gum decay, leading to pain and difficulty eating. Even worse, constant swallowing of these bacteria can damage the liver, kidneys, and heart. Regular brushing and cleaning both at home and by veterinary professionals can neutralize this bacterial threat to the organs of the pet, thus increasing their life expectancy.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF ORAL DISEASE IN PETS?

Studies indicate that by three years of age, untreated dogs and cats will have symptoms of dental disease. Some of the most common signs of an unhealthy mouth include:

• Bad breath, Gingivitis, including redness and swelling at the gum level, Loss of appetite, or inability to eat crunchy food, Loose teeth, Bloody mouth or gums

If your pet companion exhibits any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment to have them examined at All Creatures Pet Hospital.

Whether you have a puppy or kitten that you would like to begin proper dental care or an older pet that has never had a cleaning or exam, it is never too late to start them on the road to oral health. Dr. Hankes and his compassionate staff will not only examine and clean the teeth of your pet, but he will also be happy to educate you on how to care for their teeth at home. Schedule a dental exam for your furry family member at All Creatures Pet Hospital today!

A standard issue with many pets in the Birmingham, Alabama area is allergies and skin conditions related to allergic reactions. Dr. Hankes has more than 23 years of experience diagnosing and treating skin conditions in both dogs and cats. There are many reasons for allergic reactions in our furry family members, including food allergies, flea allergy dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and contact allergens such as grass or pollen.

Treatment of dermatological issues in animals has improved dramatically in recent years, and your pet will be cared for in the safest and most effective manner available in veterinary medicine. In the past, steroids and antihistamines were the only products available for treatment of skin issues in pets. New treatments and medications such as sublingual immunotherapy have made allergic conditions in pets much more manageable and safer to control. Oral sublingual immunotherapy involves placing small amounts of allergens in the mouth of the pet to build up resistance when they encounter this particular substance. Additionally, there are now new oral allergy medications for dogs that are extremely safe and effective for both short and long-term use.

If your pet has itching that goes beyond normal scratching, and you notice skin abrasions and hair loss, they may be suffering from allergies. Set up an appointment with Dr. Hankes at All Creatures Pet Hospital and put an end to the discomfort associated with skin conditions in your pet family.