1. An animal should have a litter (or go through a heat cycle) before she is spayed, right?

Wrong! Spaying your pet before her first heat cycle will greatly reduce her chances of getting breast cancer when she gets older. With each heat cycle she is more likely to develop breast cancer, pyometra (a dangerous uterine infection) or an unwanted pregnancy.

2. A dog that drags its hind end on the ground must have worms, right?

Maybe. Although dogs will occasionally "scoot" from tapeworms, the most common cause of scooting is impacted anal glands.

3. Heartworm preventative can be discontinued during the winter, right?

Wrong! This is probably the most common way that dogs acquire heartworms. We live in the land of the mosquito, and heartworm preventative must be given year round.

4. If your dog has a dark discharge from its ear it has ear mites, right?

Maybe. Adult dogs rarely get ear mites. If your dog has a dark discharge from its ears, it probably has a bacterial and/or yeast infection secondary to scratching and head shaking. (see page 1).

5. Sweet oil, mineral oil and hydrogen peroxide are all good ear cleaners, right?

Wrong! Oils inhibit air circulation and keep the ear canal greasy, which predisposes the ear to a bacterial and/or yeast infection. Hydrogen peroxide causes loud bubbling against your pet's sensitive eardrum. Ears should be cleaned with an antiseptic flushing and drying agent like Oticalm or Vet Solutions.

6. If my pet is drinking and urinating lots, that means his kidneys are working well, right?

Wrong! Actually the opposite is true: excessive thirst and urination is often the first sign of kidney failure. These symptoms can also be a sign of diabetes, overactive adrenal glands, or an overactive thyroid gland.