Heartgard + Frontline Plus:The latest and best parasite control available!

This combination may be new to most of you, but not to us - it's been tested exhaustively over the past few years and the Doctors at Knollwood have finally seen enough safety and efficacy data to convince them that it is the way to go for many of you.

Like all heartworm medications, it provides good, safe protection against heartworm disease and intestinal worms - but that's not all.  Unlike other products on the market, this combination also protects against fleas and ALL common species of ticks - without over medicating your pet.  And that is good news for pets who have access to brushy areas where these parasites live.  Do you go camping with your pet or take your pet to the forests preserves?  You're taking your pet to "tick heaven" when you do!

Instead of combining a tick collar or messy spray or dip with a heartworm pill and maybe a flea pill too, Heartgard + Frontline Plus gives you protection against heartworms, fleas, and ticks with one monthly dose.  And you don't have to wrestle with your pet to give this combination - Heartgard has the best acceptance of any heartworm medication available, and Frontline Plus is applied to the skin.  And no, it won't rub off on your furniture, your pet's bed, or wash off during swim time.  It is safe and effective for all ages and breeds of dogs and cats - and will certainly cost you less that the cost of treating all those parasites separately.

If your pet doesn't have access to tick- or flea-ridden areas, it's fine to stick with Heartgard alone.  It is the most time-tested heartworm and intestinal worm preventative available for cats and dogs, and pets think of it as a meaty treat instead of a medication.  Even Dr. Mitchell's kitty Xena has taste tested and approved it!

Remember, all prescription heartworm medications provide good protection against heartworm disease.  Some provide protection against fleas, too.  But no one single medication provides complete control against both of these parasites plus all common species of ticks.  The best and safest combination to treat all three is Heartgard + Frontline Plus.  If you're not sure which is right for your pet, give one of the friendly folks at the front office a call - a member of our front desk staff will be glad to help you make the best choice for your furry friends.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are now thought to be one of the best supplements to your pet's daily diet.  These fatty acids are important in calming down inflammation of all kinds, from inflammation in itchy, irritated or infected skin and ears, to irritation associated with inflammatory bowel disease, to arthritis, to inflammation associated with many types of cancer.  We used to think that a mix of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids was best, and that is still the mix found in nearly all fatty acid pet supplements made today - only 3-V Caps provides the right amount of omega-3's needed by pets.  Why do they need mostly omega-3's and not omega-6's?

Recent research shows that ALL pet diets are similar to the typical American family's diet: they contain a very high percentage of omega-6's and practically no omega-3's.  What is necessary to add is only the omega-3's, to get the proper balance your pet's body needs.  Good sources of omega-3's (besides the 3-V Caps, which we carry) include flax seed oil and fish oil.  Larger pets can use fish oil capsules, although these may produce an objectionable breath odor.  Sardines are another good natural source of high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.  In multi-pet households, splitting a can of sardines among your pets several times a week is an easy way to administer omega-3's.  Dr. Mitchell's pets enjoy several "sardine days" each week and get a 3-V Cap daily in their food!

Joint Supplements

Joint supplements are not all alike.  A recent survey sponsored by a national herbal institute found that of a hundred common brands of joint supplements tested, over 60% contained only a fraction of the glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate listed on the label, over 90% contained inadequate amounts of the listed products, and less than 5% contained enough that was in a form that the body could actually use.  Both glucosamine and chondroitin must be highly purified to be available to your pet's body.  Most inexpensive human formulations and the majority of pet store and pet catalog supplements are not very effective for pets.  In fact, only two products have been tested in pets and demonstrated to be effective and safe at the recommended doses: Cosequin and Arthriease, both of which are used at Knollwood Hospital for Pets.