FAQ
Q: Does my pet need a multi-vitamin?
A: If your pet is being fed a good quality pet food, vitamins are not necessary. However, vitamins can be given once daily as treats. Animals with certain medical conditions may benefit from various vitamins/supplements.
Q: Should I get insurance for my pet?
A: As medical care for pets becomes more and more expensive it is a good idea to carry medical coverage for your pets. It is most helpful for catastrophic injuries or diseases which can easily run into the thousands of dollars for treatment.
Q: What is reverse sneezing?
A: It is the act of trying to suck an irritant backwards through the muzzle, rather than out the nostrils (as in a regular sneeze). Both dogs and cats can do this. The first time you may witness this, it may seem scary to you - the pet will extend its neck and repeatedly suck air in through the nostrils and out through the mouth with the chest and/or abdomen heaving in and out. It is usually a short episode or "fit" lasting 5 - 10 seconds. As bad as it may look - in general these reverse sneezes are harmless.
Q: Can I give my dog or cat a cold?
A: No. Influenza viruses are highly species specific and do not pass from humans to pets or visa versa.
Q: Why is it important to have my pet's teeth
cleaned regularly?
A: Like people, pets need regular dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup. If not removed, this buildup can lead to gingival and periodontal disease and more serious health problems relating to the spread of infection from the mouth to other parts of the body.
Q: Does my diabetic pet require insulin injections?
A: On rare instances, cats can have their diabetes managed using diet and hypoglycemic pills but most need injectable insulin.
Q: When should I have my dog or cat altered?
Will this change my pet's
personality?
A: Spaying or neutering for cats and dogs is recommended at six months of age. This seems to be the best time to prevent future reproductive organ related health problems such as uterine, ovarian, and mammary infections and cancers, prostatic disease and testicular disease and cancer. Neutering will help prevent a pet's desire to roam (looking for a mate) and may also decrease aggressive tendencies, but will not change your pet in any other way.
Q: What do I do if my pet should get sprayed
by a skunk?
A: First, rinse your pet's eyes with copious amounts of sterile eyewash or warm water. To treat your pet's coat here is our home remedy: use 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide; 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap. Mix all ingredients together and use immediately. Comb through the pet's coat. Rinse thoroughly. There are commercial products on the market such as SkunkOff that you can use as well.
Q: How long is a normal gestation period?
A: For both cats and dogs it is 63 - 66 days or about 9 weeks.
Q: Why does my neutered dog still mount?
A: Mounting is considered to be a display of dominance. Many times dogs will still mount objects, people and/or other animals even after neutering.
Q: Can Lyme disease be very serious?
A: Lyme disease can cause many problems including joint swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, lameness, and the most serious - kidney failure.