Tuskegee University's Small Animal Health Fair Ties in with National Pet Wellness Month

by Anissa L. Riley            

Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine (TUSVM) is hosting its 13th Annual Small Animal Health Fair on Saturday, October 6, 2007, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the School's Small Animal Hospital. Prevention and early detection of diseases for pets is the message being passed on not only to the residents of Macon County but to residents in the adjacent counties of Lee, Bullock, Elmore, Montgomery and Autauga.    

         October is National Pet Wellness Month in which the focus is to raise awareness about the pet aging process, disease prevention, and the importance of twice-a-year wellness exams for all cats and dogs.   For more information on the National Pet Wellness Month campaign, visit www.npwm.com .

         Dr. Pamela Guy, chairperson of the Small Animal Health Fair and an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, as well as the TUSVM Small Animal clinicians are encouraging everyone whose pet has not had a physical examination in the last 12 months to participate.  

         "We are emphasizing prevention because it is so much more cost effective than treatment which can be very expensive for pets such as dogs, cats, pocket pets like gerbils and hamsters, as well as other tiny critters.   Also, we want pet owners to realize that many of the intestinal parasites are especially serious because they are contagious, not only from pet-to-pet, but from pet-to-people," said Dr. Guy.

         During the Health Fair, all pets will receive complimentary physical examinations, and heartworm tests.   Fecal examinations will be performed for dogs and cats if the owner brings fresh fecal samples to be tested for intestinal parasites.

         For a modest fee, pet owners can update their dogs' and cats' vaccinations for rabies, distemper, parvo virus, feline leukemia, and other serious but preventable diseases.   Also, TUSVM stresses to all dog and cat owners to remember that the Alabama law requires annual rabies shots for all dogs and cats.

         Through TUSVM's comprehensive Small Animal Health Fair, everyone in the community is encouraged to adopt an effective preventive health care

program.   Again, everyone in the local community and adjacent communities are welcome and encouraged to participate.  

         Appointments are not necessary for this special event. For more information, please contact Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine's Small Animal Hospital, 334-727-8436/8437.