TOP 10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.) How long does my cat/dog have to stay in the hospital after being castrated or spayed?

A cat or dog that has been spayed is always kept over night. Dog castrations also must stay overnight. Cat castrations can go home the same day, unless they have been declawed. The overnight stay allows us to observe your pet for any immediate anesthetic or surgical complications which may arise.

2.) Do you have to take his temperature?

Unfortunately taking your pet’s temperature is not the most comfortable thing in the world. However, it is a vital piece of information that must be obtained before proceeding with the treatment of any animal. When a doctor takes a temperature it gives them a quick indication on the status of the pet’s health. So, although "Max" may not enjoy this medical ritual, just know that it is for his own good!

3.) How long will my pet live? 

I am sure the answer most of us want to hear is - -Forever!!! But to our dismay, the answer is never that simple. For the dog owners out there; they can expect their pet to live between the ages of 11 & 13 years. There are some differences between larger and smaller breed dogs. Studies have found that larger breed dogs can expect a slightly short life span. The average cat lifespan is 12 to 16 years.

Yes - - -if you can. For those of you who have never tried it, you may find this a very difficult, even impossible task. The best thing for owners to do is, START AT AN EARLY AGE. As with clipping nails, handling paws, giving baths and housebreaking, it is best to start the dog or cat off when they are young. Secondly, MAKE IT ROUTINE, your pet learns more through routine than through anything else. By doing the cleaning at the same time of the day, before or after a certain activity, your animal will come to expect and even accept its dental hygiene time. Brushing should be done at least two times a week to be effective. pad There are a variety of animal toothpastes and brushes available, or you may even use 2% hydrogen peroxide and a gauze pad.

5.) What should I feed my dog/cat/ferret? 

  Often you will see brands with a number of "formulas" designed according to the age of your pet. We commonly find these in feline or canine type foods. They may be labeled "Puppy", "Growth", "Adult", "Maintenance" "Senior" or "Performance". These foods do hold an advantage of many of the common types, but be advised the difference may be minimal. If your pet does not exhibit symptoms of food allergies or does not need a special diet because of a sickness, most nationally known name brand pet foods will supply your pet with the proper degree of nutrition. The important aspect is that you are feeding your pet the a food designed for that animal. While this may not seem to be a problem for owners of dogs and cats, ferret owners should try and feed their ferret a food specifically designed for their nutritional needs and metabolism. 

6.) Is my pet too fat?  

Dog and cats should have shape to their waist line and a tuck in the abdominal area. Dogs and cats were not designed to look like sausages!!! If your pet looks like a knockwurst, then yes, your animal is overweight! Overfeeding your animal is the primary way to obtain this unhealthy look. Resist giving your pet table scraps, lunch meat treats and extra meals. An occasional treat is fine a few times a week but it shouldn’t be part of a daily routine. Lack of exercise will contribute to being overweight. Cats may not be the most energetic pet as they age. Dogs should be walked at least once a day to maintain a healthy lifestyle (and it is not so bad for yourself, either). Encouraging your pet to play is often enough to help them exercise.

7.) What should I do about Fleas and Ticks? 

Definitely protect your pet. Now, the degree of protection will vary according to the environment you live in. If you live near a heavily wooded area it is important that you take precautions to keep the ticks off of your dog or cat. Most likely you will have to protect your animal year round. If you live in the city, seasonal treatment may be the best defense. As far as what to use, there are a lot of products out on the market. Consult your veterinarian on what products may be the most effective for your situation.

8.) Why does my pet eat grass?  

Many theories exist as to why pets eat grass.. The most common for dogs is that it helps them to vomit, when they feel sick in the stomach. Dogs, unlike cats, are omnivores, which means that they eat both animal and plant material; therefore some dogs might eat grass to satisfy a nutritional need. Cats have been known to eat plants and grass, presumably to make themselves vomit.

9.) What are Heartworms?

  Heartworms are a parasite with a complicated life style that are a serious health concern in both cats and dogs. Historically, the infections were only noted to plague dogs; however; recent studies have shown that up to 10% of the cat population is infected. The adult heartworm lives in the heart of the animal, where they wreak all kinds of havoc. Your pet gets the heartworms by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Even pets that rarely go outside are at risk. The infection is normally fatal, if left untreated; however, treatment does exist. In this case, the best cure is to actually prevent the disease with a monthly medication. Blood tests are needed to monitor the effectiveness of the prevention. Consult with your veterinarian for more information about this dreaded problem.

10.) How do I know when my pet is sick? 

There are many signals that our pets give us to let us know that they are not feeling well or are sick. Changes in their appetite or water consumption are common signs as are vomiting and diarrhea. Other more subtle signs would include changes in behavior; i.e.: urinating in the house; lethargy, fatigues easily, weight loss or gain, poor hair coat, increased frequency of urination and the amount of urine produced. A pet that is not urinating needs to be seen immediately as an emergency. Severe lethargy or collapses, continuous vomiting or vomiting for longer than one day, profuse diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, all require immediate veterinary attention.

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