Frequently Asked Questions
Q: At what age does my puppy or kitten need its first vaccinations?
A: Six weeks of age (then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age).
Q: At what age should I have my pet spayed (female) or neutered (male)?
A: Six months of age, however, it is absolutely fine to have the surgery done at a younger age.
Q: I was told that if I get my pet spayed or neutered, it will become fat and lazy.
A: Proper diet and exercise will prevent pet obesity. Spaying prevents certain problems later in life such as an infected uterus (pyometra) and mammary gland cancer. Neutering prevents problems with aggression as well as preventing prostate disease.
Q: At what age do I start my dog or cat on Heartworm Preventative?
A: Six weeks of age for a puppy and 8 weeks of age for a kitten.
Q: What is the normal temperature for a dog and cat?
A: 101 – 102 degrees
Q: What is the earliest age I can have my cat declawed?
A: 12 weeks of age
Q: How long is pregnancy (gestation)?
A: 59-63 days
Q: My pet has had vomiting and diarrhea and is not eating. What should I do?
A: Make an appointment to see your veterinarian!
Q: At what age do we blood test kittens for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)?
A: Six weeks of age
Q: Does my pet lose it’s baby teeth?
A: The baby (deciduous) teeth begin to fall out beginning at 4 months of age, and by 6 months of age, all of the adult teeth should be in. Dogs have 42 teeth and cats have 30.
Q: How often does my pet need to be examined?
A: Physical examinations are recommended at least once a year prior to age 7 and twice a year over the age of 7.
Q: My pet is scooting it’s hind end. Does it have worms?
A: Most likely the scooting is due to full “anal glands” which are scent glands that lie under the skin on either side of the anus. The veterinarian can express the glands to relieve the discomfort.
New Pet Tips
Thunderstorms and your pet’s fear
Phobia: The fear of loud noises is considered a phobia, which is an intense response to a situation that your pet perceives as fear inducing. The pets response is out of proportion to the stimulus they fear. Phobic responses are very similar to fear, however...
Dental cleanings & your pet’s health
Bad Breath: Bad breath is the most common sign of dental disease noted by pet owners. However, this is often only the tip of the iceberg. The gums can become irritated leading to bleeding and oral pain. Bacteria surrounding the roots can also gain access to the...
Behavioral Tips
Thunderstorms and your pet’s fear
Phobia: The fear of loud noises is considered a phobia, which is an intense response to a situation that your pet perceives as fear inducing. The pets response is out of proportion to the stimulus they fear. Phobic responses are very similar to fear, however...
Introducing a new cat to your family
Behavior: Before introducing cats, it is helpful to understand their natural behavior. Feral cats typically live in matrilineal, related colonies. Male cats may travel among a number of colonies. When an adult female cat enters the colony, they are typically driven...