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 Frequently Asked Questions
It is very common for pet owners to ask similar questions regarding their pets and our clinic. We thought it would be helpful to provide you with some of our most frequently asked questions and the answers we provide our clients. If a question you have doesn’t appear below, please call us and we will be glad to help you out.
- I would like to bring my pets to your clinic, but how do I get my records from my previous veterinarian?
- Do you offer discounts for bringing multiple pets to your clinic?
- Do you honor your competitor's coupons?
- Do you offer a Senior Citizen Discount?
- I do not have the capability to bring my pet to your clinic, do you make house calls?
- Do I need an appointment for the doctor to see my pet?
- Why do you need a fecal sample if I can't see any worms?
- Why do we need to wait to answer the “Question of the Month”?
- We would like to board our pets with your clinic, should we bring anything with us?
- We just found a stray pet, what do we do?
- How long is a dog or cat in season? How long does pregnancy last in a dog or cat?
- Can my female dog or cat be spayed while she is in heat or while she is pregnant?
- If I neuter my cat, will he stop spraying?
- My dog has been licking at his feet a lot. Why?
- My dog has been "scooting" his behind on ground. Does he have worms?
- What is Kennel Cough?
- How can I tell if my dog or cat has worms?
I would like to bring my pets to your clinic, but how do I get my records from my previous veterinarian?
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.
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Do I need an appointment for the doctor to see my pet?
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. Our office hours are from 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday and from 8:00am - 12:00pm on Saturdays. Our emergency services are 24hrs a day/7 days a week.
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We just found a stray pet, what do we do?
Good question, we get calls like this frequently. The first thing you need to do is see if the pet has a rabies tag on its collar. If so, the tag should have the phone number to the pet's veterinarian. Please first call the number on the tag. The reason for this is that the rabies tag will help identify the pet's owner. Please note: If calling the veterinarian after hours, in most cases they won't be able to retrieve the owner's information until their clinic opens in the morning.
Once you have the owner's numbers, you should make contact with the owner to let them know you have their pet. If the owner can't be reached, then you should contact your local Police Department and your local Humane Society. You would be surprised at how many owners have left messages letting the police and the Humane Societies know their pet is missing. If there are no tags on the pet you have found, you should call the both Police Department and Humane Society. Most Police Departments have agreements with veterinarians, Humane Societies, and kennels to house the pet until the owner can be found, or other arrangements can be made.
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Can my female dog or cat be spayed while she is in heat or while she is pregnant?
It is better to wait until your pet has gone through her heat cycle before she is spayed. The blood vessels that lead to the ovaries and uterus are inflamed during her heat cycle and this puts your pet at more of a risk during surgery. A female may be spayed if she is in the early stages of pregnancy, but it is also more of a risk to the animal and you should discuss this with our veterinarian before making an appointment to have your pet spayed.
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If I neuter my cat, will he stop spraying?
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 spaying).
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My dog has been licking at his feet a lot. Why?
A dog that licks his feet, rubs his face, or scratches behind his elbows may be showing signs of an allergy. Dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things such as house dust, grass or weeds. Consult our veterinarian about this, especially if your dog is showing any hair loss.
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My dog has been "scooting" his behind on ground. Does he have worms?
He may have worms but that is not why he is “scooting.” It is usually an indication that his anal glands are full and need attention by a veterinarian. Anal glands are small glands on either side of the rectum. They contain a fishy smelling substance and before domestication dogs and cats used them to mark their territory. Pets no longer have active control of these glands and therefore they can become full and need emptying. Cats will generally lick their rectal area excessively if their anal sacs are full.
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What is Kennel Cough?
Kennel cough is a respiratory disease usually contracted in areas where large numbers of dogs are housed. The most common symptom is a dry hacking cough sometimes followed by retching. Many owners describe the cough as having a ‘honking sound.’ A watery nasal discharge may also be present. With mild cases, dogs continue to eat and be alert and active.
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How can I tell if my dog or cat has worms?
There are certain parasites, such as tapeworms, that are visible to the naked eye, others must be detected under a microscope. With the use of the microscope we are able to determine if parasites are present by the presence of eggs. If you bring in a stool sample, we will be glad to examine it microscopically to see if your pet has worms. It’s also not a bad idea to routinely deworm your pet every 6 months to a year.
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