Why should my pet be vaccinated?
Many serious pet diseases can be prevented by vaccination. Even if always kept indoors, your pet can be exposed to viruses carried in the air, dust or on clothing. Vaccination is inexpensive protection against costly treatment or premature death of you pet. Booster immunizations are necessary to continue protection.
Back to Top
|
What diseases should my kitten or adult cat be protected against?
* FIV/FeLV (Feline Immunodeficiency & Feline Leukemia Virus) are major causes of illness and death in cats. Both viruses are spread contagiously from cat to cat. Healthy cats may harbor infection and spread viruses to other cats.
*Feline Leukemia Vaccine helps protect your cat from the feline leukemia virus.
*Feline Respiratory Diseases (Rhinotracheitis, Calici, Chlamydia) are highly contagious and widespread. These diseases are easily spread from cat to cat. Even a cat that seems healthy can infect your pet. Chances are high that your cat will be exposed. Vaccination is your cat�s only protection.
*Feline Panleukopenia, also known as distemper, is highly contagious, easily transmitted and can be fatal. Symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
*Rabies is a fatal infection of the nervous system that attacks all warm-blooded animals including humans. It is a public health hazard and risk to all pet owners. There is no cure for Rabies. Vaccination is your pet�s only protection.
Back to Top
|
What diseases should my puppy or adult dog be protected against?
*DHL (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis) are widespread, contagious and deadly diseases. Nearly every dog will be exposed during its lifetime making vaccination a must.
*Canine Cough or Tracheobronchitis, is an upper respiratory infection causing a persistent, dry hacking cough. The disease may last several weeks and is highly contagious.
*Parvovirus & Coronavirus are intestinal infections resulting in viral diarrhea, fever, vomiting and depression. Transmitted through direct contact with an infected dog�s feces and urine, both are highly contagious and life threatening.
*Heartworm is a life threatening disease wherever mosquitoes are present. Your pet must be tested prior to starting on preventive medication. Annual testing is recommended even in year round use of medication. Preventive medication use is a must!
*Rabies is a fatal infection of the nervous system that attacks all warm-blooded animals including humans. It is a public health hazard and risk to all pet owners. There is no cure for Rabies. Vaccination is your pet�s only protection.
Back to Top
|
What is the vaccine protocol for my puppy or adult dog?
DHLPP-C�Schedules may vary depending on age and doctor. Sometimes the doctor will schedule four (4) weeks apart, but most commonly DHLPP-C is given once every three (3) weeks until puppy reaches at least 16 weeks of age. Then it is given yearly for adult dogs.
Rabies�given at 16 weeks of age for puppies and kittens or with last set of vaccines. Then it is given once a year for adult dogs/cats.
Heartworm Test�.(HWT, OHW, OHT) (blood sample) done at six (6) months of age or older if dog hasn�t been on heartworm preventative. We run a combo test, with lymes and echrilicia, once a year with annual vaccines.
Fecal�(stool sample or intestinal parasite exam) sample is run on first puppy visit or first kitten visit. Test is run once a year with annual vaccines for dogs and cats.
Back to Top
|
What is the vaccines protocol for my kitten or adult cat?
Feline Distemper Vaccine or FDRCC�similar to DHLPP-C schedule for puppies. Vaccine is given once every three (3) weeks until at least 16 weeks old. Then once a year for adult cats.
FeLV (Feline Leukemia)�.kittens need a series of two FeLV vaccines spread three (3) weeks apart. Kittens need to be tested first before getting vaccinated. A FeLV/FIV test is urn using a blood sample. Adult cats may need to be tested again if they are outside cats or if their lifestyle warrants it.
FIV�Feline Aids Virus in cats. No vaccine given.
Back to Top
|
What is a spay?
A spay (ovariohysterectomy) is an operation to remove the ovaries and uterus from a female dog or cat. This is a permanent form of birth control for female pets. Once a pet is spayed, heat cycles and pregnancy can no longer occur.
Back to Top
|
What is a neuter?
Neutering (castration) is the surgical removal of both testicles or testes of male dogs or cats. It is the primary method of sterilizing male dogs and cats.
Back to Top
|
Why should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
Mating instincts of unneutered dogs and cats are very strong. You may be responsible for unwanted litters if your pet is given freedom to wander. Pet overpopulation is the number one reason why millions of cats and dogs are euthanized each year. Spay and neutering can help control the pet population and reduce the numbers of dogs and cats that are abandoned or must be destroyed.
There are certain health benefits to spaying or neutering your pet. An unspayed female may develop infections of the uterus or mammary (breast) cancer. Mammary cancer affects nearly one in ten female dogs who are not spayed, but it is rare in spayed females.
A neutered male is less likely to roam and fight other animals. There is also less risk of developing prostate infections or prostate cancer.
Back to Top
|
When is a good time for this operation?
Six months is the most common age to spay or neuter a dog or cat. Female pets do not have to go through a heat cycle nor do they need to have a litter prior to the surgery. If spayed before a heat cycle, mammary cancer is extremely rare.
Back to Top
|
Will this change my pet�s personality?
In male dogs, the sex hormone testosterone increases aggressive behavior. The lower level of testosterone following the neutering procedure will reduce the dog�s aggressive tendencies toward other dogs. If you have your pet neutered at six months of age before the testosterone levels get high, you should not see any change in your pet�s behavior related to surgery.
Back to Top
|
Will my pet become fat and lazy?
A spay or neuter may slightly decrease body metabolism. However, proper diet and regular exercise have greater influence over your pet�s weight and health than does sterilization surgery.
Back to Top
|
What questions should you ask about your pet's surgery?
Many people shop around for the best price on surgery without knowing why the cost varies among practices. The following questions and answers will help you find the best fit between our clinic�s procedures and your expectations for your pet�s care and safety.
Back to Top
|
Will my pet receive a complete physical exam before surgery?
An animal that suffers from such disorders as a parasite infection, an infectious disease, or anemia should not undergo surgery, until these conditions are corrected. A pre-surgical exam is our chance to detect these pre-existing conditions. Age-appropriate bloodwork also reveals problems that are not obvious at the physical exam. In some cases, x-rays or an electrocardiogram may be necessary to help us decide which anesthetics are suitable for your pet.
Back to Top
|
What safety precautions will you take during surgery?
While most surgeries are uneventful, emergencies sometimes occur. Detecting problems early improves our ability to intervene and correct them. We place a breathing tube in all anesthetized animals to keep their airway open and allow for supplemental oxygen and gas anesthesia as needed. Modern technology enables us to monitor the heart (ECG), blood pressure, and oxygen content in the blood. This will ensure that respiration and circulation are normal. In addition, older patients receive IV fluids during surgery to support circulation. All patients are monitored by one nurse from beginning to end.
Back to Top
|
What safety precautions will you take after surgery?
Surgery patients lose body heat through anesthesia. If a patient gets too cold, the heart can be affected. We monitor patient temperature at regular intervals during and after surgery and provide supplemental warming as needed. We also monitor your pet�s gum color, pulse and respiration to ensure that respiration and circulation are normal. In addition to these precautions, we administer prophylactic antibiotics.
Back to Top
|
How will you manage my pet�s pain?
Surgery hurts! The anesthetic does not provide pain control once your pet wakes up, so in addition to analgesics provided during surgery, we may offer postoperative pain control medication.
Back to Top
|
Will I receive written postsurgical care instructions?
Follow-up care is crucial for proper healing. A doctor or team member will discuss your pet�s postoperative care; provide clear, written discharge instructions; and ask whether you have any questions.
Back to Top
|
