Urgent Care Open 7-Days a Week
Pharmacy
At Art City Vets, our commitment to your pet’s health is also reflected by our fully stocked in-house veterinary pharmacy. When it comes to prescription medications, accurate dosage, and administration are of the utmost importance. You can rest assured that any prescriptions your pet needs will be fulfilled accurately,
at the right dose.
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Both online and on-site requests available. Just fill out our request form!
Our onsite Pharmacy is for current clients only.
We will provide you with detailed instructions on the medication’s use and discuss any side effects or interactions. You can feel confident all the medications we dispense were obtained from safe, reliable sources and stored under the right conditions.
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Ensuring you have convenient and timely access to competitively priced medications and other pet care products is an important aspect of our veterinary practice.
Heartworms
Heartworm is spread by mosquitos and can cause severe changes within the cardiovascular system in dogs. Correctly administered heartworm preventatives are guaranteed to prevent infection. Prevalence in the Philadelphia region is about 1% of dogs, though that rate has been increasing rapidly over the last 20 years due to global warming (increased mosquito activity) and relocation of heartworm positive dogs from the South to this area (often due to natural disasters like hurricanes).
Roundworm & Hookworm
Roundworm and Hookworm are common gut parasites in dogs and cats, and are easily transmitted directly from ingestion of eggs, but also from ingestion of other animals (like flies). Roundworm can cause inflammation in the gut, causing issues like diarrhea or vomiting. Roundworm eggs shed by dogs and cats are infectious to humans. Prevalence rate in the Philadelphia region is about 6%.
Whipworm
Whipworm is a frustrating gut parasite that can commonly cause disease in mature dogs (ie not just puppies). They are difficult to diagnose as eggs are only shed a few days a month. Many dogs are asymptomatic but can shed eggs and infect other dogs. Clinically affected dogs have severe intermittent diarrhea. Prevalence rate in the Philadelphia region is about 1%
Tapeworm
Tapeworm in the Philly area are typically Dipylidium caninum, which is spread via the ingestion of fleas. As all dogs and cats (even indoor only!) have some amount of flea exposure, tapeworms can be an inevitable part of living in Philly. Sentinel Spectrum kills all tapeworm present in the dog, meaning clinically relevant infections will not occur. Prevalence in the region is estimated to be at least 4% in dogs and cats, but some estimates are higher (as high as 50%).
Pharmacy FAQs
Do dogs really need heartworm medicine?
Yes, heartworm prevention is essential for dogs as heartworm disease can be life-threatening. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best heartworm prevention plan for your pet.
How often does my dog need a heartworm pill?
It's typically administered monthly.
Do I need a prescription for heartworm medicine?
Yes, most heartworm prevention medications for dogs require a prescription from your veterinarian.
Can you get heartworm meds over the counter?
No, most heartworm prevention medications cannot be obtained over the counter and require a prescription from a veterinarian.