How often should my pet see the Vet?
Dogs and cats age about 7 times faster than humans. Because there bodies age much faster than ours, most animals should see the Vet yearly for an annual wellness exam. Pets with chronic health problems (Diabetes, Cushing's Disease, Kidney Disease, etc.) may be checked several times a year to have blood work done to monitor their disease or to evaluate how a particular treatment is working.
Why does my pet need blood work if she seems fine while on a prescription medication?
Any medication, whether it be prescription or non-prescription has the potential to cause side effects. While most medications are safe, every animal is different and could have a reaction to a particular medication. The Doctor will discuss a monitoring program to make sure any medications your pet is on won't cause a problem. Blood work allows us to catch most problems in the early stages before any permanent damage has been done and usually before your pet is acting sick.
I just got a new kitten. Why should I test him for Feline Leukemia?
Feline leukemia is a virus that is contagious from cat to cat. This virus is fatal in most cats so identifying cats that have it is the best way for us to control the spread of the disease. Some cats can carry the virus but not act sick for months or weeks or years. Testing your kitten is ideal because it tells us if he has been exposed to the virus and what steps you need to do to properly care for your pet. It is also important if you have other cats in your house to prevent them from acquiring the disease.
How often do I need to vaccinate my dog or cat?
Vaccines are an important tool in preventing the spread of disease among dogs and cats.
There is currently a lot of research in Vaccinology and a lot of changes have and will continue to occur. Most young animals under 4-6 months old need a series of vaccines to provide optimal protection. Once they are over 1 year of age the frequency of vaccines varies with the type of vaccine given. Many vaccines that we used to give yearly are now being given every three years. We also recommend tailoring a vaccine protocol to each individual animal so they only get vaccinated for the diseases they may be exposed to. We will ask you about your pet's exposure risks and lifestyle to best assess their risk to particular diseases and formulate a vaccine protocol that is safe and effective for them.
My dog had a reaction to a vaccine. Does this mean I should not vaccinate him again?
Not necessarily. It is normal for most animals to become tired for 12-24 hours after being vaccinated. If your pet has a more severe reaction (Vomiting or diarrhea) then the Doctor will discuss changing the type of vaccines used and medication that can be given prior to the vaccines to help prevent a reaction. If your pet is due for more than one vaccine we may recommend giving the vaccines a week apart to prevent any problems. Occasionally we will recommend not vaccinating a pet again but this is rare and limits your pet's ability to go into a kennel or the groomers. Tell us if you've had any problems from a vaccine so we can best help your pet.
Why should my dog be on Heartworm preventative?
Heartworm Disease is a blood born parasite that is transmitted through the bite of the mosquito. All dogs are at risk of being bitten by mosquitos whether they are indoors or spend most of their time outdoors. In the early stages of the disease your dog may not show any signs of being sick. It is not until the disease has progressed that most dogs will start to act sick. By this time there has already been damage to the heart and pulmonary vessels. The disease is difficult to treat and acute death can result from the infection itself and potentially from the treatment too. A monthly chewable tablet or chewy beef treat will not only prevent the disease but will also help control several intestinal parasites as well. We recommend all dogs be treated for this deadly disease.
What should I do if I have an emergency?
Call us first. We are open Monday through Saturday and will do our best to see you that day. If it is after the office has closed we have the phone numbers for the 2 emergency clinics in the Pittsburgh area:
Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Shaler
AVETS in Monroeville
Both are within 30min. drive from our office and have Doctors and staff waiting to help you.
|
