Our Juniata Veterinary Clinic is a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic dedicated to providing quality pet care for pet vaccinations or any other type of veterinary service. We have been serving the local communities for over two decades, and we are proud to have built a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy animal clinic. Our pet care services at Juniata Veterinary Clinic include preventative care, dermatology, surgery, dentistry, and more. One of the more essential services we offer at Juniata Veterinary Clinic is pet vaccinations, which is one of the most effective ways of keeping your pet safe and healthy.
Vaccinations allow for a proactive approach to the health and wellness of your pet. Along with regular checkups with our vets, vaccinations are vital to the health of your pet. If you have a puppy, kitten, or a recently adopted pet, it’s crucial that you ensure he or she is on the proper vaccination schedule. At Juniata Veterinary Clinic, we will make sure your pet feels calm and comfortable at our facility.
Pet Vaccinations
Pet vaccinations are a reliable, easy, and affordable way to protect your pet from several different diseases and conditions, including some that can be fatal. Certain diseases have no cure but can be prevented with vaccinations. The timing of the vaccinations is critical for properly protecting your pet. Our veterinarians at Juniata Veterinary Clinic can provide you with a vaccination schedule based on the age and type of pet you have. We can also guide you on what vaccinations are needed and those that are recommended.
Certain types of preventable illnesses in pets can also be transferred to humans if the pet has not been vaccinated. For the safety of your pet and your family, it is vital to keep up with your animal’s vaccination schedule. Some local, state, and community laws require you to vaccinate your pets. We can help ensure that your pet receives the vaccinations that are essential to their health and well-being.
Microchipping
Microchips for pets and farm animals are small, rice-sized radio-frequency identification devices that can be implanted around the neck area just under the skin. These devices are passive until activated by detection scanners, which usually occurs at a vet or animal shelter after a lost pet is brought in by a concerned citizen. Essentially, these chips serve as an internal identification tag that is connected to a database of contact information so that pet owners can reunite with their missing animal.
The Pet Microchipping Process at Our Veterinary Clinic
It only takes a few seconds for our vet to gently inject the microchip implant, and there is no anesthesia necessary unless your pet has special considerations such as anxiety concerns. Animals undergoing the procedure experience no more discomfort than they would during a standard vaccination, and they are typically never even aware of the microchip’s presence. Most animals can be microchipped at around four weeks old, and our veterinarian recommends that pet owners consider the procedure as soon as possible for good measure. After all, youngsters do tend to stray.
How Pet Microchips Work
It’s important to understand that these microchips are not tracking devices. Their presence is simply detected when a lost pet is brought to a shelter or vet and is scanned by a special device. Once detected, the chip emits a signal that allows the attendant to contact the database that holds the owner’s essential information. Owners are then contacted and will typically need to bring a certificate or some form of ownership proof before claiming their animal.
More Benefits of Pet Microchipping
Beyond helping lost animals return home safely, microchips are an excellent alternative to cumbersome collars that can get lost or fall off as animals trek or roam about. Microchips tend to last the lifespan of the average pet, so there is typically no need to replace batteries or the device itself. There is also no need to worry about personal information being compromised through microchip scans as the only thing the scanner shows is a number that the database operator then uses to identify the owner.
Senior Pet Wellness Care
At Juniata Veterinary Clinic, your pet’s health and wellness is the top priority of every member of our Lewistown animal hospital team. We take great pride in the compassionate, quality care we offer pets throughout all stages of life. This includes a wide range of senior wellness services to help your pet age as gracefully as possible. If you have a senior pet, now is a great time to schedule a senior wellness exam with our veterinary team!
The Importance of Senior Wellness Care for Pets
As pets age, their needs change. This is especially true when it comes to nutrition. For example, many senior pets experience weight loss, which can be dangerous in large amounts. For this reason, it may be recommended that pet owners switch older pets experiencing weight loss or frailness to a high-calorie food specifically formulated for seniors. This can help your pet maintain a healthy weight. Some senior pets will also need different proportions of macronutrients in their diets, so switching to a high-protein formula may also be recommended depending on your pet’s specific needs.
In addition to keeping up with changes in your pet’s nutritional needs, senior pets can also become more prone to certain types of illness and disease as they age. With this in mind, it’s important to make sure your pet is receiving routine veterinary care and diagnostic testing as needed.
Older pets also tend to have a harder time getting around, so now might be a good time to make sure your senior pet has easy access to everything he or she needs. This includes food and water, a comfortable bed, and a litter box (for cats) that’s within easy reach. Ideally, your older pet shouldn’t have to navigate a flight of stairs to get to any of these basics.
Senior Wellness Services Offered
At Juniata Veterinary Clinic, we offer all the senior wellness services your pet needs. One of the most common services we provide to senior pets is that of comprehensive wellness exams, which we usually start recommended twice a year for pets who have reached their senior stage of life. These more frequent visits allow us to more easily take note of any changes in your pet’s health and make sure things are looking good. As part of your pet’s senior wellness exams, we can also run any diagnostics that may be necessary based on your pet’s symptoms, age, or other risk factors. And if you need recommendations on your pet’s changing nutritional needs, our veterinary team is happy to help.
Pet Nutrition
There is a myriad of advice out there about pet nutrition. Some say any commercial pet food that claims to be nutritionally balanced will suffice for your pet. Others swear by making their own food from human food sources, and want to make sure that they are providing necessary nutrients, and dealing with any dietary needs specific to their pet, such as the need for higher protein, a grain-free diet, or other considerations.
Fortunately, at Juniata Veterinary Clinic we are a Mifflintown animal hospital that can help you sort through the confusion in order to select the best food for your cat, dog, or exotic pet.
Nutritional Needs of Dogs and Cats
Dogs and cats are both classified as carnivores, and much of their nutritional needs have been determined on what is appropriate for their instinctual needs. While feral cats for the most part are true carnivores, interested in food from primarily meat sources, dog’s needs are more omnivorous, and include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and some often grains.
Commercial diets are tested with these needs in mind, and will contain necessary extra ingredients, such as taurine. Food packages labeled with Guaranteed Analysis information will inform you of the balance of protein fat and carbohydrates. Grain free diets are popular for both cats and dogs, but it isn’t always necessary if your pet isn’t showing signs of allergies or intolerance.
There are several things to look for in quality pet food, such a substantial level of meat protein, as a low fat to protein ratio, a modest level of carbohydrates, and the absence of chemical preservatives, generic animal fat, and anonymous meat ingredients.
If your pet has digestion or allergy issues on their food, consider what treats or table food they have access to on a regular basis as well as the possibility that grains in their food may be affecting them. Some grains, such as rice or oats are more tolerable than wheat or corn for many pets. If problems persist, your veterinarian can help you explore more options, including limited ingredient food or even prescription or a breed specific diet. Always pay attention to recommended portion sizes listed on your pet’s food and feed accordingly in order to keep your pet at a healthy weight.
People Food and Your Pet’s Diet
The food you eat isn’t always good for your dog or cat, because they are strict carnivores, most cats will not care about your food unless you are eating poultry, fish, or eggs. Dogs are more likely to be interested in everything, whether it is good for them or not. If you do feed table scraps, do so sparingly, and not as a replacement for their food, unless part of a recipe approved by your veterinarian.
Lean cuts of meat, and most plain fruits and vegetables are okay options, however, you should be careful not to feed food with excess sodium or fat, and avoid dangerous foods such as onion, garlic, grapes, and chocolate.
Nutrition for Other Pets
Other pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, and reptiles need to eat as well. Commercial foods as well as fresh fruits and vegetables are good choices for many of these pets. While they may seem down to earth to you, they are actually classified as “exotic” pets and need care from a specialized vet who can answer questions about any specialized needs.
At Juniata Veterinary Clinic, our Mifflintown animal hospital serves not only cats and dogs but is also knowledgeable on the biological, behavioral, and nutritional needs for a variety of “exotic pets” including various pocket pets and rabbits.