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. What plants are poisonous to my furry family members?
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. When will my dog’s heat cycle begin and how long will
it last?
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.
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.
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. 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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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 available for your pet here. Advantage treats and prevents adult fleas and flea eggs, Frontline
Plus treats and prevents adult fleas, flea eggs and ticks, and Advantix (dogs
only) treats and prevents adult fleas, flea eggs, ticks and repels mosquitos. No
prescription is needed for these topical treatments and can be picked up as
needed. These are sold by the weight of the pet.
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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 Canin 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. 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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