Veterinary FAQ’s

When is the best time to spay or neuter my pet?

Spay and neuter procedures can be done at most ages, but the best time to spay or neuter your pet is approximately 5 to 6 months of age.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are an essential part of your pet’s health. Vaccines keep your pet healthy and prevent serious diseases. During your pet’s wellness exam, our veterinarians will develop a vaccine schedule tailored to your pet that will prevent illness and disease.

What is kennel cough?

Kennel cough is easily transmitted from dog to dog and spread through the air. It is caused by viruses and/or bacteria that affect the respiratory system of dogs. The best way to reduce the severity of the disease is by frequent vaccination. There are several types of vaccinations available to treat kennel cough.

When does my pet need blood work?

We recommend annual blood work to detect infections and diseases, helping us to prevent disease early on. In many situations, early detection is essential for more effective treatment. The type of blood work will be determined specifically for each pet depending on his or her individual needs. This annual blood test is convenient to do at the time of your pet’s annual heartworm test, but it can be done at any time of year.

How do I get my pet’s prescription medications?

Our in-house pharmacy has a large selection of prescription medications and therapeutic diets for your family pet. Our staff members can help you select the best medication, choose the proper dosage, and provide information on side effects or interactions. Contact us immediately if your pet experiences an adverse reaction, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding a prescription medication.

How many months should my pet be on heartworm prevention medication?

Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can be fatal if left untreated. Our veterinarians recommend that all dogs be given year round heartworm prevention, regardless of their lifestyle.

Why does my dog need a blood test before purchasing heartworm prevention?

Dogs can become extremely sick if placed on heartworm prevention while they have a severe heartworm disease. Even if they have been on heartworm prevention year round there is always the possibility that the product may have failed for various reasons (your pet spit out the pill, did not absorb the pill appropriately, topical medicine was not applied properly, forgot to administer medication on time, etc.) and the earlier we can treat your pet for heartworm disease, the better the prognosis. Some companies will guarantee their product providing that you use the heartworm prevention year round and are performing yearly heartworm test.

Doesn’t the fecal sample test for heartworms?

No. Heartworm disease is a blood-borne disease that is transmitted through mosquitoes. A routine blood test will confirm whether or not your dog has heartworm disease.

Why does my pet need a dental cleaning and how often should this be done?

Annual professional dental exams, tooth scaling, and polishing are necessary to treat and maintain healthy teeth and gums for your pet. Oral diseases can have a negative impact on your pet’s overall health; this is why it’s important that your pet receives a dental exam by our veterinarians on a regular basis.

Do I need to brush my pet’s teeth at home?

Yes. Proper at-home dental care is strongly recommended to help maintain the health of your pet. Home dental care for your pet should start early, even before their adult teeth come in. Pet owners should brush their pet’s teeth frequently as tooth brushing is the best method of preventing plaque, calculus, and bacterial build-up. There are also additional options for at-home dental care such as dental formulated foods, water additives, and dental treat.