Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my puppy or kitten have its first vaccinations?

Vaccinations are usually started at 6-8 weeks of age. They need to be administered every three weeks up to 16 weeks of age to attain optimal immunity. During these visits for vaccinations, we also address internal and external parasite control. Training and behavioral issues, dietary recommendations, spay/neuter options and client questions are discussed at the three visits. We are here to help you build a good relationship with your pet; our advice and medical services will get you off to a good start.

At what age should my pet be spayed or neutered?

We usually recommend this surgery when the animal is 4-6 months old. This is the optimal age, as the reproductive tract is still small and undeveloped, so a smaller incision can be made. It is also before the animal develops secondary sexual behaviors, such as marking territory with urine, or straying from home. For female puppies, if we spay them before they experience their first heat cycle, their risk for developing breast cancer in later life is greatly reduced. Breast cancer risk increases with each heat cycle.

How often and when should my pet's teeth be cleaned?

Your pet will have an oral exam during annual physical exam. If tartar is present on the teeth or if there is gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) a professional dental cleaning should be done. The time interval between cleanings varies between pets, but ideally is every 1-2 years. Daily dental care at home is important to maintain optimal dental health. Our staff can help make a home dental plan that will work for you and your pet.

When should I give my dog heartworm preventative?

Heartworm disease occurs when adult heartworms live and reproduce in the heart and vessels leading to the lungs. Their presence causes damage to these structures, and eventually heart failure and death. Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes, so it is most important to give the preventative during the months when mosquitoes are present. The monthly heartworm preventatives we have today kill not only juvenile heartworms, but also many of the gastrointestinal (GI) parasites as well. Since the GI parasite eggs are present in the environment all year long, we recommend using heartworm products all year around. GI parasites can be communicable to humans, and especially to children, so controlling these pests really is very important. Dogs should be tested for the presence of heartworms prior to beginning monthly heartworm preventatives. This is important because the monthly preventatives do not kill the adult heartworms, but can kill the immature worms in the dog's bloodstream. If large numbers of immature heartworms are killed at once, anaphylaxis and even death can result. When a dog is found to have adult heartworms present, another medication is used to eliminate the adults. This treatment can be fraught with complications and is expensive. Heartworm disease is very difficult to treat, but is easily preventable. Our staff can help you select a heartworm preventative that will work best for your pet.

What about heartworm prevention for my cat?

We recommend year around monthly heartworm preventative for cats that go outside, as they have the same exposure to GI parasites in the environment as dogs have. Indoor cats need the heartworm preventative only during those months that we have mosquitoes, roughly April through October. The migrating larval heartworms are very destructive to cats and often cause asthma like symptoms, but sometimes the first sign of disease is sudden death. Heartworm disease can be very hard to diagnose in cats, making prevention our best defense against this terrible disease. Both oral and topical products are available for heartworm prevention in cats.

When do I need to treat my pet for fleas?

The fleas are dormant in the outside environment when the temperatures are below 40 degrees F. In early spring, they resume their life cycle on outside animals like rabbits, squirrels, and small rodents. If you have these creatures cross your lawn, they are seeding it with flea eggs. The eggs hatch in the warm weather, mature, and look for animals to jump onto, feed upon and begin laying eggs. Your pet is a perfect target for them. Once on your pet the adult fleas lay slick eggs that fall off into the environment. If your pet comes into the house, that means the eggs are in there, too! Keep monthly preventative on your pet from April through October to avoid fleas from infesting your pet and home. Our staff can help you choose the safest and most effective flea products for your pet.

How often should I have my pet groomed?

There is no set time period; rather, it depends on the length and hair coat of the pet. Long haired animals need daily brushing to remain free of tangles, and are often groomed on a regular 8 week basis to control overall hair length. Brushing improves the appearance of the hair, invigorates the skin, and disperses the natural oils from the skin into the hair. For these reasons short haired breeds of animals benefit from brushing too. Many people have their pet groomed monthly so they avoid that "doggy" odor and have the pet's nails trimmed. Meet with our groomers so they can advise you about a breed specific trim and grooming schedule for your pet.

What are trustworthy sources of information about pets?

There are several websites with pet information that are veterinary reviewed, so the information is accurate and timely. They contain general health and behavior material, and articles about diseases. We encourage all owners to use these sites so they can be well informed when making decisions regarding their pets.