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Frequently Asked Questions

Flea and Tick Problems:

1. My cat has fleas, but she never goes outside! Where are they coming from?

Fleas are notorious for finding their way into places we'd rather not have them; our homes being at the top of that list. While your cat may never go outside, many homes have other pets that do! Another pet's quick trips to the bathroom can mean a free ride for a flea into your home. Even people can bring fleas inside!

2. I'm applying flea and tick medication, but I'm still seeing fleas! What do I do?

One important thing to remember about any flea and tick medication: No flea and tick medication creates a magic bubble around your pet. The flea must be on your pet in order for the medication to take effect. Also, the flea's life cycle is 90 days long! During that time, you may continue to see fleas on your pet, but that only means they're being exposed to the medication.

Exams:

1. My pet is up-to-date on all of his vaccinations. Why does he still need an exam?

Vaccinations aren't the only reason to have a physical exam. An annual physical exam is a key part of keeping your pet healthy! Since pets age much faster than people, seeing your veterinarian once a year allows for early detection and treatment of health problems.

2. I don't want an exam! My pet just needs shots!

By law, veterinarians must maintain a valid Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship in order to continue providing services to you and your pet. An annual physical exam is the way veterinarians maintain this relationship, as well as it provides the opportunity to catch any problems early!

Heartworm Testing:

1. My dog has always been on heartworm prevention. Why does he need to be tested?

Unfortunately, no medication is 100% effective. Spit out pills, a skipped dose, or even a fault with the medication itself can all lead to a breach in protection for your pet. By testing annually, we are able to catch these breaches early and treat your pet before the disease can advance.

Spay/Neuter:

1. How old does my puppy or kitten need to be before they can be spayed or neutered?

Originally, the ideal age for spay and neutering pets was thought to be around 6 months. Now, pets can be spayed and neutered at 3-4 months of age. In fact, by spaying and neutering this young, puppies and kittens seem to recover from the procedure much quicker than those who are spayed and neutered much older.

2. Shouldn't my pet have a heat cycle or a litter before I have her spayed?

 No. In fact, spaying your pet BEFORE her first heat cycle can significantly reduce her chances of developing certain cancers later in life! But even older pets can still gain some health benefits from being spayed later in life.

Miscellaneous:

1. My cat is peeing outside the litter box! What should I do?

There are a number of reasons a cat may urinate inappropriately. If the litter box is not cleaned once a day, and the litter replaced once a week, it may discourage cats from using the litter box. Additionally, litter boxes placed in high traffic areas or in an area where they might see strange cats can cause cats to urinate inappropriately. A medical issue can also be the culprit, so if your cat is not using the litter box, pay a visit to your veterinarian and discuss what your options might be.

2. I see my dog is scooting. Does he have worms?

Not necessarily, but it is a possibility. More likely, your dog is having a problem expressing its anal glands. These two glands that are used to help your dog mark its territory on occasion can become blocked. Checking and expressing these glands if needed is something you veterinarian can do quickly to provide your pet with relief.