FAQ

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Frequency Asked Questions


Dog - Medical

  • Which vaccines does my dog need?

     We will adapt the vaccines to your dogs need. The core vaccines that every dog needs are Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Rabies. These vaccines are every 3 years. If your pet goes to the groomer or the dog park he/she will need a Bordetella vaccine. This vaccine is done once a year. If your pet goes camping, fishing, or to the dog beach he/she will need a Leptospirosis vaccine. This vaccine is done every year.



  • At what age should I start heartworm prevention?

     You should begin heartworm prevention as soon as get your puppy. If you have an adult dog you need to have a heartworm test done before heartworm prevention can be started.

  • How can I test my dog for heartworms?

     We have an in- house test that requires only a few drops of blood from your pet.

  • What are heartworms?

    Heartworms are a worm-like parasite that grow to be about 14 inches long and live in the right side of a dog’s heart. The larvae of the parasite are transmitted to dogs through mosquitoes. The growth of the heartworms can block the flow of blood to your pet’s heart and eventually cause death.

  • How would I know if my pet has an ear infection?

     Ear infections can cause your pet a great deal of pain. Some signs of a ear infection is smelly discharge or dark colored wax, and shaking head. If you see any of these sign your pet will need to be examined.

  • Is it really true that a cold wet nose means my pet is healthy?

    A cold, wet nose is not necessarily a sign that your pet is healthy. The idea is misleading. Animals have sweat glands on their noses and footpads.

  • Is being overweight a serious health problem in pets?

    Obesity is a serious problem for animals. Being overweight can cause liver disease, pancreatitis, back and heart problem. A pet may become overheated more easily and could cause a heat stroke.

  • How often should my pet be checked for worms?

    Your pet should be checked once a year for intestinal worms, and more often if problems with their stool exist.

  • What are signs of whipworms?

     Signs of whipworms are anemia, and diarrhea with mucus. To diagnosis whipworms we need to do a fecal exam.

  • My puppy is eating his own stool! How can I stop this behavior?

    Some puppies puppies have this problem. To stop this habit sprinkle Adolphs Meat Tenderizer on the food. This will make the stools taste bad. You can also sprinkle it on to the stools.

Dog - Nutrition

  • Is it safe to give my pet bones from the table?

     Do not give your pet bones from the table. A hard rubber ball or leather-like chew toy is a much better bet than risking injury from bones that may splinter.



  • My dog loves meat. Is it healthy to make that the main part of his diet?

    While pet’s love meat, their total diet should only consist of not more than 1% of people food.

  • Will my pet eat as much as I give him or does he know when he is full?

     Some pets will eat more than they need. This will cause lethergy and obesity, things you want to avoid.

  • Should pets be fed milk?

     No. Many have intolerance to milk, which can cause diarrhea

Dog - General

  • How often should I give my pet a bath?

     Bathing your pet every 2 to 8 weeks is usually sufficient to maintain clean, and healthy skin.


  • At what age should I begin trimming my pet's nails?

    Begin trimming your pet’s nails when they are young so it becomes part of a routine.

  • Can I breed my pet when she goes into heat for the first time?

     It is not a good idea to breed your pet during her first heat cycle.

  • How long will my dog be pregnant before she gives birth?

    The average gestation period in dogs is 61-63 days.

  • How often does a female go into heat?

     A female usually goes into heat about two times a year. They may skip a heat cycle, but will seldom have an extra one. The cycle usually last 21 days in dogs.

  • At what age should my pet be spayed?

    You should have your pet spayed before her first heat cycle. This reduces the chance for mammary tumors later in life to almost none.

  • Should I have my pet microchipped for identification?

    Yes! We place a tiny chip under your pet’s skin that when scanned indentifies the pet and ensures his safe return. Veterinarians and pet shelters have scanners needed for quick and positive identification.

  • When should I bring in my new puppy for his first visit to the veterinarian?

    You should bring your pet in to the veterinarian as soon as you get your pet. We want to make sure he/she is healthy. While you are here we can recommend the proper vaccination scheldule, discuss heartworm prevention, flea control, and other things to help you keep your pet healthy for many years to come.

  • What does it mean when my pet drags his rear end along the ground?

     When your pet scoots on his or her rear end, it probably a result of an anal gland problem. We should examine your pet and can express the anal glands.

  • What is a dog's normal temperature?

    A dog’s normal temperature is 101 to 102 degrees.

  • When will my puppy get her adult teeth?

    Dogs usually get their adult teeth between 6 to 8 months.

Cat - Medical

  • When do I start to vaccinate my kitten?

    Kittens need to start vaccines at 6-8 weeks of age and continue until they are 16 weeks of age. They need to be examined and start their Feline Distemper, Calici, Rhinotracheitis & Paneleukopenia vaccines along with a fecal exam and worming. You will need to test your kitten for Feline Leukemia and Feline immunodeficiency virus and we will discuss the need to vaccinate at time of exam. We will also discuss heartworm and flea prevention and your pet’s future vaccine protocol.

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