What do I do if my pet has an emergency after the office is closed? back to top |
Call 587-2946 and listen to the message on our machine. You will be directed to call a veterinarian to assist you. |
How often should my pet be examined? back to top |
We recommend bringing your older and exotic pets in every 6 months for a wellness exam. Frequent exams help detect and prevent the early onset of diseases that lead to shorter life spans. This is significant since pets generally age 5 to 7 times faster than humans. Geriatric pets over 7 years of age are especially prone to debilitating problems such as kidney insufficiency, thyroid disorders and dental disease. Cancers may go undetected until they are too advanced to treat. |
Should my dog or cat be vaccinated every year? back to top |
Studies indicate we may be able to vaccinate pets for some diseases every few years, depending on their health status and exposure potential. Rabies must be given at specified times by law. We conduct a wellness assessment on our patients and tailor our vaccination protocol to best suit their needs. We use high quality vaccines to reduce the potential for reactions and may perform vaccine titers to determine if vaccines are warranted. |
How do I know if my pet has dental disease? back to top |
Food, bacteria and saliva combine and form plaque that eventually becomes heavy tartar. Bacteria release toxins that cause inflammation of the gums. This leads to pain and halitosis or bad breath. Pets with dental disease often have yellow teeth, red gums, are reluctant to play or chew and may be missing teeth.
The frequency with which a dental cleaning should be performed is dependent on the degree of tartar, the species and the age of the animal. We advocate brushing your dog or cat's teeth in addition to dental treats or diets to prevent dental disease. After a thorough cleaning and polishing our dental technicians and veterinarians tailor a dental health program best suited for you and your pet.
Read More About Our Dental Services Here. |
My dog loves chocolate so a little won't hurt, right? back to top |
Chocolate can be very toxic to dogs. It contains theobromine which is related to caffeine. It takes 10x as long to be metabolized in a dog than a human. Consumption of too much chocolate can cause an elevated heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea or even death.
Best to play it safe and avoid giving this tasty treat to your canine friends. |
Can you tell me why my cat is urinating out of it's litter box?back to top |
Cats may not use their box for many reasons. Medical conditions include urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney disease, and arthritis. Some cats develop a dislike for the type of litter being used and switching can be beneficial (i.e. using an unscented course type if you have been using a scented clumping brand). Behavioral disorders such as anxiety can also cause inappropriate urination. We recommend an examination of your cat and a urine test to treat this condition. We also carry Cat Attract ®, which may be beneficial in behavioral cases. |
Are intestinal parasites a problem if I can't see them?back to top |
Absolutely. Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms, Whipworms, Coccidia, and Giardia can cause vomiting, diarrhea, poor hair coat and weight loss. In addition they may be dangerous to our health. They can cause skin irritations, abdominal pain, vision loss and neurologic disease in humans. We offer the most advanced fecal testing for parasites and deworming programs for newly acquired animals and those that eat mice, birds, feces and dead carcasses outside.
Learn More About Parasites in Pets and Humans Here. |
Is a heartworm test necessary every year? back to top |
Testing helps detect infection early before cardiovascular damage is done by heartworms. There is no guarantee your pet ate and metabolized all of it's pills. Administering heartworm preventative in the spring can lead to severe illness in an infected dog. Cats also get heartworms but testing is not as accurate. Pets traveling to warm weather climates in the winter should receive medication year round and be tested every two years. |
Does the brand of food I feed my pets really matter? back to top |
We highly recommend premium foods for all your furred and feathered friends. These are denser in nutrients than bargain foods that cost less and result in lesser quantities being fed. The ingredient profiles in premium foods are also more stable. New and improved products are introduced more often by these companies. Oxbow, Harrison's, Wellness, Royal Canin and Hills are a few of the premium pet food companies. Call our office for more information on nutrition. |
How do I know if my pet is in pain? back to top |
Anorexia, inactivity and panting are common signs of pain in pets. Joint and back pain may be evidenced by limping, difficulty rising or laying down, and walking with a hunched posture. Tooth pain may be evidenced by reluctance to chew hard food or toys or red gums. Abdominal pain is often associated with anorexia, a tense or bloated abdomen or groaning when pressure is applied to the belly. |
Why is Vitamin C important to guinea pigs? back to top |
These pets have high Vitamin C daily requirements or they develop scurvy and other debilitating diseases. Many foods are inadequate in their Vitamin C content. We offer affordable flavored chewable vitamin C tablets and diets fortified with stabilized vitamin C for guinea pigs to prevent nutritional deficiencies. |
Is an all-seed diet adequate for my birds? back to top |
Few birds do well on all seed diets due to their lack of well balanced nutrients. All seed diets are often deficient in vitamins and minerals as well as protein. Consumption of certain seeds in excess (i.e. sunflower) leads to lowered blood calcium levels that may cause weakness and seizures. This is particularly problematic in African Greys. A vitamin supplement and fresh fruits and vegetables should be provided in addition to seeds. Pelleted foods such as Harrison's organic diets are formulated to provide complete nutrition and negate the waste associated with seed hulls. Conversion to a premium pelleted food may take up to 6 months but is expected to extend a bird's longevity and improve it's health. Call us for more information on how to convert your birds to new diets. |
My bird is laying a lot of eggs, is this normal? back to top |
The normal number of eggs laid by your bird can vary by age, species, and home environment. Each produced egg can also have complications such as being too big, too soft, or have the eggshell gland (uterus) be blocked. Egg production is an enormous drain on the female’s energy and calcium reserves. When these reserves are depleted due to high egg production, the bird can become very sick, develop seizures, or even have easily broken bones due to calcium loss. Please schedule an appointment if you have concerns about your bird’s egg-laying to determine how to best address your bird’s individual situation. |
What is the best environment and diet for my reptile? back to top |
Every species of reptile and amphibian has unique requirements for these parameters. Incorrect parameters can predispose your pet to disease and death. Many resources such as books and websites can have incorrect information. We strongly recommend scheduling a well-pet exam for your reptile or amphibian to assess its health status and to discuss your pet’s recommended environmental and dietary modifications that may be necessary. |
My ferret has hair loss. What does this mean? back to top |
This can often be a sign of a type of cancer affecting your ferret’s adrenal gland. There are many potential complications of the disease that should be addressed by the veterinarian. With potential medical and/or surgical treatments, your ferret can still live a long full life. |
My rabbit or guinea pig has stopped eating or has diarrhea. What should I do? back to top |
Schedule an examination immediately! These pets are very sensitive to gastrointestinal changes and disease, and time is often of the essence. Problems can range from very minor dietary issues to severe, life-threatening causes. |
