HELPFUL LINKS & FAQ's

Yes, in order to keep our doctors 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 and walk-ins throughout the day, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need your pet seen on short notice.

When we perform a fecal analysis the sample is examined under the microscope. Not all adult worms shed segments that are visible to the naked eye. With the use of the microscope we are able to determine if parasites are present by the presence of eggs.

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 veterinarians about this, especially if your dog is showing any hair loss.

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.

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. Dogs can be pregnant for about 63 days and cats for 61 days. 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.

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 veterinarians before making an appointment to have your pet spayed.

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).

Kennel cough is a respiratory disease is usually contracted in areas where a 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.

Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more dogs become over weight. Except for a few reasons (Hypothyroidism, Cushings, and genetics), weight gain is a result of the unbalanced combination of calories and activity. The first step in helping your pet lose some weight is to understand exactly how many calories he/she is getting each day. With a simple chart accounting for all avenues of calories (dog food treats, table scraps, cat food, etc.) your veterinarian can quickly determine what your pet is consuming compared to what it “should” be consuming. Next, you need to increase your pet’s activity level. Start slow, as you would your own exercise program and build slowly. Remember that older dogs, or dogs with arthritis will have some limitations, and therefore calories will need to be monitored closely.