FAQs

Accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association means that an animal hospital has been evaluated on approximately 900 standards of veterinary excellence. Only 15% of veterinary practices achieve AAHA accreditation. To maintain their accreditation, hospitals undergo a rigorous review by veterinary experts every three years.

At Veterinary Associates, we see dogs and cats only.

We generally recommend spaying or neutering at approximately 6 months of age. This will vary with each individual pet, though. There are numerous health benefits to spaying and neutering that we would love to discuss should you have any questions.

Vaccinations

Vaccines are an important part of your dog or cat’s health care. Vaccines keep your pet healthy and prevent serious diseases. Our veterinarians will make sure that your pet avoids these problems with annual wellness exams, vaccinations and parasite protection. It is our policy that all pets receiving a vaccination be fully examined by one of our veterinarians prior to the vaccine being given.

Dog Vaccines

Rabies Vaccine: Rabies is a deadly disease transmitted by bites from wild animals, particularly skunks, raccoons, possums, bats, and foxes. This disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Puppies will first receive this vaccination after 12 weeks of age, and then they will be revaccinated every 1-3 years as required by law.

DAPP Vaccine: This is a “5-way” canine vaccine that vaccinates against canine distemper, adenovirus type 2, infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Distemper and parvovirus are often fatal, especially in puppies and part of the reason it is boostered multiple times. Puppies can be vaccinated as early as 6 weeks and are boostered every 3-4 weeks until 16-18 weeks of age. Adult dogs are revaccinated at 1 year of age and then every 3 years.

Leptospirosis Vaccine: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause liver and kidney failure. It is spread through the urine of wildlife (raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, rats) and domestic animals, and is transmissible to people. Canine leptospirosis has risen dramatically in recent years. To prevent Leptospirosis in your dog, discourage your pet from drinking standing water and vaccinate yearly.

Bordetella Vaccine: Bordetella is part of the “Kennel Cough” complex of viruses and bacteria that causes a respiratory infection (Infectious tracheobronchitis). Kennel Cough can lead to pneumonia if contracted and left untreated. We have intranasal vaccinations available for Bordetella.

Canine Influenza Vaccine: Canine Influenza is part of the “Kennel Cough” complex of viruses and bacteria that causes infectious tracheobronchitis. Canine Influenza can cause pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding into the lungs) and death in dogs.

Lyme Vaccine: Lyme disease is a disease transmitted by ticks. Just like in people, Lyme can cause a multitude of clinical signs ranging from no signs at all to lethargy and inappetence, limping, or even kidney failure. If you are in a heavily tick-populated area it may be beneficial to have your pet vaccinated for Lyme disease even if they are on preventatives. We have seen an uptick in Lyme disease cases recently.

Cat Vaccines

Rabies Vaccine: Rabies is a deadly disease transmitted by bites from wild animals, particularly skunks, raccoons, possums, bats, and foxes. This disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Kittens will first receive this vaccination after 12 weeks of age, and then they will be revaccinated every year as required by law.

FVRCP Vaccine: This is a “4-way” feline vaccine that vaccinates against feline distemper (panleukopenia), rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), and calicivirus. Kittens can be vaccinated as early as 6 weeks and are bolstered every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Adult cats are revaccinated at 1 year of age and then every 3 years.

Feline Leukemia Vaccine: Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is a disease transmitted by bodily fluids from other cats (oral, urine, blood, etc). The most common route of transmission is mutual grooming. Feline Leukemia is a deadly virus that can get into the bone marrow and lead to blood disorders, immunosuppression, and certain cancers. A vaccine is recommended for high-risk kittens and cats, such as indoor/outdoor cats or cats in rescue situations.

A simple blood test is needed to check your dog for heartworm disease on an annual basis. Heartworm prevention is administered once a month either by pill or by topical application. Depending on the specific product you and your veterinarian choose for your pet, heartworm prevention medication can prevent other parasite infestations including internal parasites (intestinal parasites) and external parasites (fleas and ticks).

When starting heartworm prevention, or if your dog has not been on heartworm prevention year round and you plan on restarting it, it is important an initial heartworm test is performed.

Appetite

Decreased appetite can occur after surgery. There are several things you can try:

• Offer your pet their favorite foods or treats.
• Warm the food slightly above room temperature to increase the odor and taste.
• Some pets like low-sodium chicken/beef broth or chicken baby food. These can be fed separately or added to regular pet food.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time if you are concerned about your pet’s appetite.

Bandage is wet, soiled or removed

If the bandage becomes soiled, damp, chewed, or chewed off, please do not re-bandage at home. Duct tape and other items can trap moisture within the bandage causing inflammation of the skin and tissues. In some cases, bandages that are applied incorrectly at home can even cut off the circulation to the foot.

Call us immediately if you have concerns about your pet’s bandage. Confine your pet to a single room or similar small area until you can call us and we can advise you on whether the bandage needs to be replaced.

Constipation and bowel movements

Difficulty having bowel movements can be expected after illness, anesthesia, or surgery. It may take a few days for the gastrointestinal system to return to normal function. Fortunately, your pet doesn’t have to pass a stool on a regular daily basis. Please contact us if your pet has not passed a stool within 72 hours of discharge from the hospital or appears to be straining to defecate.

Crying/Whining

Although vocalizing can indicate discomfort, it is not always a sign of pain (instinctively many pets will not vocalize because, in the wild, this would attract predators). Often, pets vocalize due to the excitement or agitation that they feel on leaving the hospital and returning to their familiar home environment. Please don’t hesitate to call us for advice at any time if you are concerned about your pet’s vocalization. In some cases, a mild sedative may be prescribed or pain medication may be adjusted.

Diarrhea

Your pet may experience diarrhea after hospitalization. This can be caused by changes in diet but is more commonly caused by the stress of being away from home. Certain medications prescribed to your pet may also cause diarrhea. If no blood is noted in the diarrhea, feed your pet a bland diet for 2-3 days to help the digestive tract get back to normal. If the diarrhea is bloody, lasts longer than 12-24 hours or if your pet becomes lethargic or vomits, please contact us immediately.

You can purchase nutritionally complete bland food from us, available in cans or kibble. Alternatively, you may feed steamed rice mixed with an equal volume of low-sodium chicken broth, boiled chicken, chicken baby food or cooked turkey. Very lean, boiled hamburger meat can be substituted as well. Small meals should be given every 4-6 hours. We do NOT recommend using any over-the-counter medication to treat the diarrhea. Please call us if there are any questions or problems.

E-Collar

We rely on you to keep the e-collar on your pet. While they may not enjoy it initially, they will enjoy even less having to come back to our office for another visit to repair an incision that has been chewed open. If this occurs, they will need to wear the collar for an extended period. Most pets become accustomed to the collar within one or two days, and they will be able to eat, sleep, and drink with it on. We are counting on you — please keep the e-collar on your pet.

Injury to surgical site

If for any reason you suspect that your pet has reinjured the surgical site, confine your pet to a safe location and call us immediately for advice.

Medication Refills

If you have given your pet all of the pain medication prescribed and you feel your pet still has discomfort, please give us a call, and we will be happy to discuss refilling the pain medication.

Pain

Despite the medications we have prescribed, some pets will still show signs of pain at home, such as restlessness, inability to sleep, poor appetite, lameness or tenderness at the site of surgery. Please confine your pet to limit their activity, then call us immediately so we can prescribe additional medication or therapies as necessary to keep your pet comfortable.

Panting

This is commonly seen after surgery. It may indicate soreness but is often due to anxiety. Please call us so we can help determine whether additional pain medication is required. We will be happy to recheck your pet for your peace of mind.

Seroma (fluid pocket)

In any healing surgical area, fluid produced during the healing process may accumulate and form a seroma (fluid pocket). Fortunately, this is not painful and does not delay the healing process. Eventually, the body will reabsorb the fluid so if the seroma is small, we typically will leave it alone. If it is large, we may remove the fluid with a needle and syringe, or even place a drain if necessary. If you notice a seroma developing, please call our office. We may wish to recheck the area to ensure there is no infection.

Shaking/trembling

This is a very common response to physiologic stress after surgery, injury, or any other health procedure. The amount of shaking or trembling may be dramatic, but it does not necessarily imply severe pain, cold, or distress. It may involve the entire body or just the area of surgery. It is most noticeable in the first 5-7 days post-operatively, and typically subsides in 1-2 weeks. Please call us if your pet shows signs of pain such as restlessness, lack of appetite, or crying out.

Urination

Some pets may urinate less after surgery or may seem to be unable to control urination. This is usually temporary and may be a side effect of medication, anesthesia, or difficulty assuming “the position” to urinate. Many pets initially drink less after returning home, but if your pet has not produced urine for more than 12-24 hours, please call our office.

Vomiting

Occasionally, there may be an episode or two of vomiting after surgery or anesthesia. If the vomiting continues, blood is noted in the vomitus, or if your pet is not holding down any food or water, please call us to discuss.