New Pet Patients

Q?What is the best food to feed my pet?

A.There is no best diet, despite all the marketing claims to the contrary. Every pet is unique and the goal is to find the best diet for the individual pet. Expense doesn’t necessarily equal quality. There are some inexpensive diets that have years of rigorous scientific testing behind them and some very expensive diets that are lacking in vital nutrients or based on unsound science. Larger companies generally have more stringent quality control protocols, employ expert nutritionists and food scientists, and strive to increase our collective nutrition knowledge through research. Smaller manufacturers may have less control over ingredient quality, perform less laboratory testing and are less likely to employ full or part time veterinary nutritionists.

Q?I would like to bring my pets to your clinic, but how do I get my records from my previous veterinarian?

A.We can obtain records from most veterinarians with just a simple phone call requesting records be faxed. Some veterinarians require written consent to transfer records, others require payment for each photocopied page and request that the records be picked up. Please call our office and request that your records be transferred and we will assist you. If you have a copy of when your pet’s vaccinations are due and your pet has no other health issues, we should not need a copy of your records.

Q?Do you offer a Senior Citizen Discount?

A.Yes, our Senior Citizen Discount applies to all pet owners over the age of 62 and is applicable to all professional services provided.

Q?Do I need an appointment for the doctor to see my pet?

A.Yes, in order to keep our doctor on schedule and to ensure your pet will be seen by the veterinarian, you must call our office to set up an appointment. We do take emergencies throughout the day, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need your pet seen on short notice.

Q?We would like to board our pets with your clinic, should we bring anything with us?

A.We encourage you to bring your pet’s food is currently eating. This will ensure your pet’s diet will be kept consistent. We also encourage you to bring your pet’s toys and blankets so they feel more at home during their stay.

Q?How long is a dog or cat in heat? How long does pregnancy last in a dog or cat?

A.A dog’s season or heat cycle can last about 21 days. A cat, however, is completely different from a dog. They go in and out of heat all year round until they are either bred or spayed. If you do not intend to breed your pet, it is best to spay your pet to help avoid the risk of developing mammary cancer and other health problems. A dog is pregnant for about 63 days and a cat for 61 days.

Q?Can my female dog or cat be spayed while she is in heat or while she is pregnant?

A. We can spay your pet while she is in heat, but it is better to wait until your pet has completed her heat cycle.  The blood vessels that lead to the ovaries and uterus are inflamed during her heat cycle, and this puts your pet at a higher risk of complications during surgery. A female may also be spayed if she is in the early stages of pregnancy, but there may be an increased risk to your pet, and you should discuss this with our veterinarians before making an appointment to have your pet spayed.

Q?If I neuter my cat, will he stop spraying?

A.When a cat sprays, he is exhibiting the male tendency to mark his territory with urine. Neutering decreases his male hormones and makes him much less likely to exhibit this undesirable trait (although neutering does not guarantee that he will stop spraying).

Q?My dog has been licking at his feet a lot. Why?

A. When dogs lick their feet excessively, it can be a sign of one or several things going on. It may be that your dog walked in an irritating chemical, such as fertilizer or bleach. Your dog may have foreign material such as a thorn, burr, or grass awn embedded in the foot. Dogs with allergies, especially environmental allergies, also tend to lick their feet excessively. If your dog is licking his or her feet frequently, please consult our veterinarians, especially if he/she is limping, showing signs of skin irritation or hair loss. We will be happy to help determine the underlying cause of this behavior.

Q?My dog has been “scooting” his behind on ground. Does he have worms?

A. He or she may have worms but that is probably not why he/she is scooting. Scooting or excessive licking of the hindquarters is usually an indication that his/her anal glands are full and need to be checked and expressed (emptied) by a veterinarian. Anal glands are small glands located on either side of the rectum. They contain a fishy-smelling substance, and it is thought that before domestication, dogs and cats used this substance to mark their territories. Some dogs and cats are unable to express their anal glands on their own, and they therefore become full and uncomfortable. When this happens, dogs and cats will start scooting and licking, to try to empty them. This is a sign that you need to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have the anal glands expressed manually. If left without treatment, the anal glands can become so full that they rupture, causing a painful wound. Expressing the anal glands is typically a quick and easy process, and it will leave your pet feeling greatly relieved. The frequency with which the anal glands need to be expressed depends on each pet, and how quickly the glands refill.

Q?How can I tell if my dog or cat has worms?

A. There are certain intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and tapeworms, that are visible to the naked eye, while others such as giardia and coccidia, must be detected under a microscope. We recommend a fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites for all puppies and kittens as it is not uncommon for parasites to be transmitted from mother to offspring. It is also a good idea to repeat these fecal exams annually with vaccinations. If you bring in a stool sample, we will either examine it under the microscope in-clinic, or send it to an outside laboratory for evaluation. If your pet does have parasites, they are treatable with oral medications. There is no single dewormer that treats all parasites, so it is important to have the stools checked, to ensure your pet is receiving the appropriate treatment.

Q? What is heartworm disease? Does a general dewormer treat heartworms?

A. Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially deadly disease. Heartworms can grow up to a foot long, and live in the heart, lungs and blood vessels, and can cause heart failure, permanent lung damage, and other organ damage. Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting this disease. We recommend testing your dogs annually for heartworm disease and keeping them on a heartworm preventive year-round. Ask us what preventive would be best for your pet. Please note, we will not prescribe a preventive without first testing your pet for heartworm disease. General dewormers typically only treat intestinal parasites, not heartworm disease, so it is important to talk with your veterinarian about starting your pet on a specific heartworm preventive to prevent heartworm disease.

Q? My pet rarely goes outside; does he/she still need a flea preventive?

A. Yes! We recommend all dogs and cats be on a flea preventive year-round, regardless of how much time they spend outside. Pets that spend more time outdoors will have a higher chance of getting fleas, but fleas can also come inside and thrive on our indoor-only pets. Not only are fleas irritating to pets, causing them to be itchy, but they also take blood meals from pets, potentially causing anemia in dogs and cats. Fleas also can transmit a variety of serious diseases to our pets and people. Some pets are even allergic to flea bites, so just a few fleas can cause big skin problems. Ask us which flea preventive would be best for your pet.