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Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT SURGERY
My Pet Needs Surgery! What should I know?
In order to perform most types of surgery, your pet must be placed under general anesthesia. Anesthesia does have inherent risks whether it's done for humans or animals. Just like in human hospitals pre-anesthetic blood work decreases the risks.
Pre-anesthetic blood work is quick, easy, and safe. We take a small blood sample and are able to check kidney and liver functions as well as for anemia, infection, or dehydration. Checking these functions is a very important part of our pre-anesthetic planning protocol.
All medications, including anesthetics are removed from the body by the liver and/or kidneys. If there is no problem seen on the blood work, there are usually no complications and the pet recovers fine. The only way to know if function is good is to do the pre-anesthetic blood work.
What should I do for my pet before surgery day?
1. No food should be offered to your pet after 6 P.M. the night before surgery, and no water after midnight that same night.
2. You can either bring your pet to us the evening before surgery or you can drop your pet off the morning of surgery between 8 and 8:30 A.M. There is no extra charge to board your pet here the night before surgery.
3. Make sure you inform us of any medications you have given your pet within the last 24 hours. That includes aspirin, pepto, and any other household meds you've given.
4. Please feel free to call us after 12 Noon to inquire about how your pet is doing after surgery. Of course, if there are any problems while your pet is here, we will contact you immediately. Please leave a phone number where you can be reached at any time if we have questions or need to reach you for any other reason.
Isn't my pet too young to have any kidney or liver problems?
Not true, although it is rare, young animals can have metabolic problems. Sometimes those things are inherited and not seen until it is too late. Young animals are very susceptible to infections and could show up as an increase in their white blood cell count.
My pet looks and feels fine to me. Isn't that enough?
Animals are very good at hiding signs of disease or injury until it is really bad. In kidney disease, 75% of the kidneys functions can be gone before the animal will show any signs.
Isn't the anesthesia you use safe?
Yes, we use Isoflurane gas and other safe injectable medications, but all of them are filtered out of the bloodstream through the kidneys and liver. If their organs are not functioning properly, more damage can be done and cause other problems.
How can I improve the outcome of my pet's surgery?
Of course nothing is 100% but blood work is the best way to help your pet. Choosing to do the pre-anesthetic blood work is an easy way to improve the chances that nothing will go wrong during or after surgery.
Why does my pet need blood work before a routine surgery?
Even if your pet looks healthy, there could be underlying problems that could increase their risk of having trouble during anesthesia. By taking a blood sample, we are able to check kidney and liver functions, as well as red and white blood cell counts. If there are any problems seen on the blood work, the surgery will be postponed and steps will be taken to correct them. Even young animals can have metabolic problems that can only be detected with blood work.
ABOUT VACCINATIONS
Why does my dog need an annual heartworm test if they are on heartworm prevention year round?
As with any preventive medication, nothing is 100% effective. By testing every year, we can make sure that the medication is working. Dogs have been known to throw up the pill and/or spit the pill out once they get outside or behind the sofa. Sometimes our lives become very busy and heartworm prevention may not be given for a month or two. If we do not test your dog and they do have heartworms, the monthly preventive could cause a serious reaction and even death. We use a heartworm test that tests for two tick borne disease, one of which is Lyme disease.
If my pet stays inside, why do they need to be on heartworm prevention?
Even if your pet never goes outside, mosquitoes can come inside your house. They can attach to your clothing and fly in through open doors and windows. All pets need to be on heartworm prevention year round. It is much easier to prevent heartworm disease than to treat it
What vaccine protocol do you use?
Vaccines depend on your pet's lifestyle. Is your pet strictly indoors or do they lead a very active and social life? We tailor the vaccine protocol to fit your pet's needs so no unnecessary vaccines are given. Currently, we offer both one year and three year vaccines for both dogs and cats.
At what age do you spay/neuter dogs and cats?
We recommend that they are between 4-6 months of age. All pets that are not going to be used for breeding should be spayed or neutered.
At what age do you start vaccinations?
The first vaccine can be given at 6 weeks of age.
Why do you not write script to online pharmacies?
There are several online companies that sell pet medications, such as flea and heartworm preventatives. Although they may be cheaper, we do not know if they are getting the medication directly from the manufacturer, if they are stored correctly, or even if you are getting the real thing. For the safety of your pet, we will only dispense medications from our clinic. We get the medication directly from the manufacturer and know that it is stored properly and not expired. Several heartworm prevention companies will not back up any product that is purchased though an online pharmacy. Please download and read this important information about why you should buy medication from your pet's doctor.
How much are vaccinations?
Since we tailor our vaccine protocol to fit your pet's lifestyle, it is hard to quote a price for vaccines. An estimate can be made for you once we do an exam and talk about what vaccines your pet requires.
