Why does my pet need a current exam to get a refill on medication or prescription food?

A current doctor/patient relationship is critical to the health of your pet.  Patient needs can change and their medical condition can change, sometimes without the owner being aware.  We make sure that the patient receives a complete physical exam, on an annual basis, to insure the medication or food we are prescribing is still appropriate and in the correct dosage. 

Why must my pet need to be admitted the night before a procedure?

There are actually several reasons:

• Animals are most stressed when they FIRST come into the hospital. Stress interferes with healing. Spending the night definitely helps them relax and do better under anesthesia the next day.  We understand that it is hard on the owner to leave their pets overnight, however we see how much more relaxed the animals are after they have been here for a while. 
• Animals are very good at getting into things if they are hungry. Spending the night here assures that they will be properly fasted for surgery. Having food on the stomach during anesthesia is very dangerous.
• Our staff takes various measures to prepare animals for procedures. We take bloodwork, temperature, weight, prepare pre-anesthetics, do site preparation, x-rays, place catheters, and administer fluids, just to name a few. Having patients here the night before is important for this process.

Why must I call the Pet Poison Helpline if a veterinarian is treating my pet?

There are hundreds of thousands of drugs, chemicals and ingredients that must be referenced.  No individual doctor or book could possess all the important information that needs to be considered in an ingestion or exposure case.  Pet Poison centers are designed specifically for this purpose and can quickly assess the ingested item, it's known danger or risk, and devise a plan for the doctor to use for your pet.  The combination of the information you provide (as quickly as possible), the veterinarian's physical assessment of the animal, and this important service, are what can save your pet's life.

Why is it important to have my Male dog or cat fixed?

Having male dogs and cats neutered can be beneficial in many ways.  Intact males(not neutered), once they reach maturity, have an amazing ability to sense females in heat. There is the potential for pregnancy and adding to the tremendous unwanted puppy and kitten problem.  Many hazards are presented when the male is traveling to find the females, such as wild animals, other male competitors, or being hit by cars.  

From a medical standpoint, neutering decreases testicular and prostate problems such as cancer and infection. 

Behaviorally, neutering can help prevent unwanted urine marking in both cats and dogs.  Some aggression problems are exasperated by the increased testosterone in intact males.  In general, neutered pets are thought by experts to make better pets.

When should I use flea & tick prevention?

Fleas are likely to start around May and continue into the late fall. A lot depends on the weather and temperatures, however ticks are extremely resiliant year round.  We suggest starting your treatments in April and make sure we get a few good hard frosts before you discontinue flea treatment for the winter.  Keep in mind that if they do get into your house, they can easily survive year-round and you will need to treat your animals every month, all year.  You house will need multiple treatments as well.  We recommend Frontline Plus for dogs and cats to kill the fleas and ticks.  Dogs can also use Preventic Collars if you are in a high exposure area such as near woods.

Our competitive pricing and free product, available when you buy two boxes of the same size, make purchasing your Frontline Plus from your vet a better deal than on the Internet!  Plus, we have free cat and dog toys with purchase while supplies last.  Let our knowledgeable staff assist you with your flea and tick questions.

My cat is urinating outside the litter box.  What can I do?

This can be a frustrating and concerning problem!  Please make an appointment to have your cat seen by a veterinarian right away.  The first step is to do a physical examination and test the urine to see if your cat has an infection or other medical ailment which may be causing the problem.  If the problem is not medical, your veterinarian can help you with behavioral solutions as well.

My dog was vaccinated against "kennel cough", yet she still came down with a cough.  How can this happen?

Why does my dog need an annual heartworm blood test when I am giving him medication every month, year round?

Modern heartworm preventative is very safe and effective, however no drugs are effective 100% of the time.  If there is a failure, we want to find out by a blood test before the patient becomes sick.  Giving the heartworm medication to a dog who already has heartworm can be very dangerous. 

I just pulled a tick off my dog.  Should I have him tested for Lyme Disease?

We recommend calling us if you see clinical signs such as lameness, fever, lethargy or decreased appetite.  This can occur 2-5 months after exposure and clinical signs would indicate a Lyme test should be done, and appropriate treatment steps be taken.  The test looks for antibodies to Lyme bacteria, which can take 1-2 months to develop.  A positive test (without clinical signs) indicates the dog was exposed, but does not mean he is infected.  His immune system may have cleared the infection.  Your veterinarian will explain all the details of your pets test result. 

 The best way to prevent exposure is with good tick control such as Frontline Plus, a Preventic collar and the Lyme Vaccine.

Some of our doctors dock tails, and remove dewclaws.  Please call our hospital in advance or at the time of your puppy's birth to arrange surgical timing for these procedures.  We will not crop ears.

Where can I donate items from my deceased pet?

We work with the SPCA and other organizations who can use drugs, bedding, collars, bowls, food and other items that you may wish to donate.  You can drop off items during any regular business hours and we will distribute appropriately.

The doctor recommended a "Bland Diet", how do I make it?

If your pet is suffering from vomiting and/or diarrhea, or other related gastrointestinal problems, an important component of the treatment therapy is diet as recommended by the veterinarian. 

The best non-prescription bland diet for cats and dogs is plain white boiled rice mixed with plain cooked chicken or browned & rinsed gound beef.  Rice & meat should both be unseasoned.  Generally you would mix 3 parts rice to one part meat unless directed otherwise. 

Follow the doctors instructions on how much and how often to feed, usually in very small portions every few hours.  Remember, a bland diet means NO treats!

Can I return medication?

Medication cannot be returned.  Sometimes a medication disagrees with the patient or the patient needs to switch to a different medication.  However, just like in human medicine, for the safety of all our patients, we cannot take back medications that have been dispensed out of the hospital. 

We will make sure that the medication you receive for your pet is new, fresh from our pharmacy, and has been properly stored and protected. 

While medication cannot be returned and dispensed to other patients, you can donate it to the Montgomery County SPCA who greatly appreciates it for use on shelter animals.  We collect donations here and regularly take them to the shelter. 

Do you have pets for adoption? 

We do not have pets here for adoption but we often know of animals in need so just ask us!   We also have an adoption book in our lobby that you can feel free to review at any time to find animals in need of a home.  If you need to place an animal, you may bring information to our front desk and we can add the information to our book.  We do not list animals for sale, only adoption.  We also keep lists of rescues and shelters. 

Does your saff receive updated training in veterinary medicine?

Absolutely!  Our Veterinarians, Technicians and all of our staff receive extensive training and continuing education in order to be proficient in the latest studies, technology and veterinary medicine for the benefit of all our patients.