Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to make an appointment to bring my pet in to see the doctor?
2. When is my cat or dog ready for his vaccines and surgery?
3. Why does my pet need an annual exam if he isn’t due for any vaccines?
4. What to do if I have lost my pet?
5. What to do if I have found a pet?
6. Why is it important to keep my pet on heartworm prevention?
7. What are the advantages of flea prevention?
8. When will my dog’s heat cycle begin and how long will it last?  
9. My dog is pregnant, what do I need to be prepared?
10. What human foods are dangerous to my pet?
11. What flea/tick control can I purchase for my pet at My Family Vet?
12. What heartworm prevention can I purchase for my pet at My Family Vet?
13. Why does My Family Vet not carry the oral combination heartworm prevention and flea control medications?
14. What pet foods are available at the clinic to purchase?
15. What is the process and my options if euthanasia becomes necessary?
16. What plants are poisonous to my furry family members? 
17. What is Leptospirosis and should I vaccinate my dog for it?
18. What is Bordetella (Kennel Cough) and should my dog be vaccinated?
19. Do you accept payment plans?
20. Can my pet's medications be mailed to my house?
21. Does my pet have to get an exam for heartworm prevention?
22. Does my pet have to have a current exam for medication refills?

 

1. Do I need to make an appointment to bring my pet in to see the doctor?

While an appointment prevents long wait times, we understand that sometimes emergencies happen. When possible please call in advance so that we may prepare our doctors and technicians for your arrival. 
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2. When is my cat or dog ready for his vaccines and surgery?

When possible, it is best to start booster vaccines at approximately eight weeks old. Both cats and dogs get at least three boosters. When you are ready to schedule an appointment, just call and we will work out a program to fit your pet’s needs. As a general rule our pets are ready to handle a spay or neuter starting at four months of age. Please download and fill out the "Anesthesia Release" form and bring it with you to your appointment.
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3. Why does my pet need an annual exam if he isn’t due for any vaccines?

While research is showing that the need for annual and bi-annual vaccines may be unnecessary in some circumstances, an annual exam gives us an opportunity to listen to the heart, check out the eyes, ears, nose, joints and any other issues that may have presented themselves in last year. In dog years, it’s an exam every SEVEN years!
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4. What to do if I have lost my pet?

Hang up signs with a picture and contact information. A "Reward" placed on the sign may get him/her home sooner. Signs should be placed in the subdivision, at convenience stores, grooming facilities and veterinary clinics. Go to the following websites to look for them: County Pets, Pet Harbor and Pet Finder. If your pet is a pure-breed-dog, contact the local rescue of the breed to be on the look out. For example, if you have a Schnauzer, contact Schnauzer Rescue - they are contacted whenever a pure breed dog comes into the shelter. If your pet repeatedly escapes consider microchipping. 
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5. What to do if I have found a pet?

Is he wearing a collar and tags? If so, contact the phone numbers on these tags. Next, run him by the vet’s office to scan for a microchip. If you are able to keep him until he finds his parents, hang up signs in the neighborhood, list him as lost on Pet Finder. If he looks purebred, contact the closest purebred rescue group in case his owner is looking for him there. If you are unable to keep him, try contacting a rescue group who may be able to help find him a foster home.
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6. Why is it important to keep my pet on heartworm prevention?

Heartworms are transmitted to dogs and puppies by mosquitoes, and can become life threatening. The treatment for heartworms can be expensive and difficult on your pooch, and the easiest way to avoid it is stay current on his heartworm prevention.
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7. What are the advantages of flea prevention?

First and foremost fleas are a nuisance, but they can also cause allergies and even tapeworms in your pet. Some animals are extremely sensitive and have a condition called Flea Hypersensitivity which can lead to costly skin issues. We carry both flea and tick prevention to suit your pet needs.
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8. When will my dog’s heat cycle begin and how long will it last?

Generally, a dog will have her first heat cycle around 6 to 8 months and it normally lasts between 2-4 weeks.
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9. My dog is pregnant, what do I need to be prepared?

Supplies:
Digital Thermometer, KY Jelly, Wash Cloths – Warmed in the dryer, Plain Dental Floss, Scissors, 3' Plastic Pool

Instructions
The gestation period is approximately 64 to 68 days. On the sixtieth day, begin taking her temperature 2 times a day. 101 degrees is normal. When the thermometer reads 98 degrees, contact your veterinary office, if you cannot make it in time here are some helpful hints; She will be ready have her puppies when her temperature reaches 98 degrees! Use lots of towels for her bedding in the puppy pool and begin getting her used to resting / sleeping there now. Close the air conditioning vents in the room to keep her warm. The first puppy will be born between 2 to 6 hours of contractions. The rest of the puppies should follow forms every 30 minutes to an hour after that. When born use a dryer warmed wash cloth in a gentle licking motion front to back to remove the placenta. It is okay for mom to eat the placentas. Tie off the umbilical cord 1 to 1.5 inches from the belly with the dental floss. Cut the cord approximately 1/2" inch away from the tie. Hold puppy upside down with a rocking motion and remove any fluids from the nose and mouth with a suction tool you can find in the newborn baby section of your local drugstore. If the puppy's heart is beating but it’s not breathing do mouth to mouth CPR for at least 15 minutes. The puppy will almost always come around! Put them on her teat immediately when they're okay, cleaned & ready.
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10. What human foods are dangerous to my pet?

Chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts can all cause potentially dangerous situations for your pet.
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11. What flea/tick control can I purchase for my pet at My Family Vet?

Advantage, Frontline Plus and Advantix (dogs only) are all topical treatments available for your pet at our clinic. Advantage treats and prevents adult fleas and flea eggs. Frontline Plus treats and prevents adult fleas, flea eggs and ticks. Advantix (dogs only) treats and prevents adult fleas, flea eggs, ticks and repels mosquitos. Do not use Advantix on your cats because they are not able to metabolize the compound and even several drops can be fatal. No prescription is needed for these topical treatments and can be picked up as needed. These are sold by the weight of the pet. We also carry Comfortis, an oral treatment and prevention for fleas only. This product is by prescription only and your pet must have a current annual exam.
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12. What heartworm prevention can I purchase for my pet at My Family Vet?

Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Plus, Iverhart Max and Interceptor are all available. Because these are prescription medications, we do require that the dog is current on the annual examination by the doctor.
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13. Why does My Family Vet not carry the oral combination heartworm prevention and flea control medications?

We do not carry these products because they are growth regulators and not adulticides. Basically, these products will sterilize the adult fleas so they cannot reproduce, but will not kill them. If the adult fleas remain on the pet’s body, we will continue to have scratching and flea hypersensitivity.
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14. What pet foods are available at the clinic to purchase?

We carry only prescription diets from Hill’s, Purina, Royal Canine and Innova/Evo. Please call the office if you are looking for a specific diet as some of these are special order products.
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15. What is the process and my options if euthanasia becomes necessary?

We try our best to schedule your appointment with the doctor as soon as you feel it is necessary. All pets that are brought in for euthanasia are cremated. You have the option to have your pet’s remains returned to you after cremation or the crematorium can scatter the ashes in an area that is specifically designated for that purpose only. Urns are also available at an additional fee, if desired.
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16. What plants are poisonous to my furry family members?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website has a comprehensive, alphabetical list.
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17. What is Leptospirosis and should I vaccinate my dog for it? 

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects animals and humans. It is most commonly found in tropical or temperate climates, but due to the heat and high humidity levels, lepto is found in our area occasionally. Our pets can be exposed to lepto by contact with contaminated urine from rodents. This disease is rare in cats, although it can affect all mammals. Symptoms may include fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, diarrhea, renal failure and possibly death. If your dog's environment includes raccoons, opossums, squirrels and other wildlife, it is highly recommended to vaccinate.
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18. What is Bordetella (Kennel Cough) and should my dog be vaccinated?

Kennel cough is a very contagious infection in dogs characterized by a harsh, hacking cough. A dog with kennel cough typically feels active and maintains a normal appetite despite frequent fits of coughing. The cough typically sounds like a deep hack and often is described as "something stuck in the throat". This infection is easily treatable by the veterinarian. We recommend all dogs get the Bordetella vaccination if exposed to a kennel, grooming facility, doggy day care, dog parks or visits to the animal hospital. There are two ways to vaccinate for this infection, an injection and an intranasal vaccine.
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19. Do you accept payment plans?

No, we do not accept payment plans. Payment is due at the time services are rendered. We do accept Care Credit.
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 20. Can my pet's medication be mailed to my house?

Yes, we do mail out medications. There is a mailing service fee of $4. There must be a payment over the phone before we can mail anything out to your house.
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21. Does my pet have to get an exam for heartworm prevention?

Yes, heartworm prevention is considered an oral medication. Hospital and State Law requires that ANY medication must have a current exam before prescribing out that medication. Flea prevention is not considered a medication, so you can purchase it anytime.
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22. Does my pet have to have a current exam for medication refills?

Yes, hospital and state law requires that ANY medications being prescribed to patients must have a current examination. The prescribing doctor also needs to re-evaluate the patient to make sure it's healthy and that the medications are benefiting the patient and/or if the doctor needs to change the amount of medication that the patient is receiving.
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