We are often asked a variety of questions about general topics. From questions about spay/neuter to heartworm prevention, the following information is meant to provide baseline knowledge. If you think your pet is ill or having general difficulties, please contact us for an appointment, diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a puppy/kitten get their shots?
Puppies should have their vaccinations at 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks and 15 weeks. Kittens should have their vaccinations at 9 weeks, 12 weeks and 15 weeks.

How old does my pet need to be to get a rabies shot?
A puppy/kitten should have a Rabies vaccination on their 4th and last set of puppy/kitten shots at 15 weeks.

How old does my pet need to be to get "fixed"?
Kittens(at least 4-5 lbs.) and puppies should be at least 6 months old to be spayed or neutered. All patients recuperate overnight at our facility.

The benefits of spaying early are:

No estrus (heat) cycle.
Decreased likelihood of males roaming into yard.
Decreased chance of certain types of cancer.
Recover quicker from surgery with less chance of complications.

The benefits of neutering early are:

Decreased roaming of male animals.
Decreased chance of aggressive behavior.
Decreased chance of territorial marking.
Decreased chance of certain types of cancer.
Recover quicker from surgery with less chance of complications.

What Flea and Heartworm preventions do you recommend?
-Topical Flea/Tick Monthly Prevention OR Bravecto Quantum-NEW FLEA/TICK INJECTION AVAILABLE-LASTS UP TO 12 MONTHS.

-Proheart 6 or 12 Injection for Heartworms

Dogs (fleas & ticks)

Advantix II-Prevents fleas and ticks, it also repels mosquitos.
Nexgard-monthly flea/tick prevention.
Bravecto 1 month chew-flea/tick prevention for puppies.
Bravecto 3 month chew-flea/tick prevention for dogs.
Seresto Collar-flea/tick dog collar-lasts up to 8 months.
Bravecto Quantum-NEW flea/tick Injection.(yearly)
Capstar-24 hr. flea prevention.

Cats (fleas,ticks,heartworms)

Credelio-monthly chewable for fleas/ticks.
Revolution + - prevents and treats heartworm disease, kills fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching, treats and controls tick infestations, ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms.
Nexgard Combo-a topical solution for cats that provides broad-spectrum parasite protection. It kills fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms.
Capstar-24 hr. flea prevention.

Dogs (fleas,ticks,heartworm combo)

Simparica Trio-Prevents flea infestation by killing fleas before they can even lay eggs, Kills 6 types of ticks, including the deer tick that may carry Lime disease and treats and controls roundworms and hookworms.

Sentinel Spectrum- Protects against 6 different types of parasites, including tapeworms. Also protects against heartworms, tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.

Dogs (Heartworms) (does not take care of fleas/ticks)

Heartgard + HEARTGARD Plus chews don’t just prevent heartworm disease for dogs 6 weeks of age or older, they also treat and control hookworms and roundworms.
Proheart 6 or 12 Injection- A six or 12 month injectable that prevents heartworm disease in dogs 6 months of age and older.

What are heartworms?
Heartworms are parasites that mature in the chambers of the heart and block major arteries, causing heart failure and death.

How do animals get heartworms?
When the mosquito feeds, it can transmit infective larvae to the healthy dog. The larvae penetrates the dog's skin it migrates through the tissues and develops over the next few months, eventually reaching the dog's heart.

Are Heartworms treatable?
Yes, the doctor will decide what is the best action to take after x-rays are done.

How do you prevent heartworms?
There are several medications for heartworm prevention that you give monthly.

My dog has worms that look like grains of rice, what are they?
These are usually the internal parasites called tapeworms.

How does my pet get tapeworms?
Your pet gets tapeworms ingesting fleas or small animal carcasses such as squirrels and rabbits.

Once my dog is diagnosed, how are tapeworms treated?
Your vet will treat your cat or dog with Praziquantel, otherwise known as Droncit. Droncit works by attacking the tapeworm, leaving it helpless in the gut of your pet where it is digested and expelled. This is probably the best way to treat tapeworms, since traditional wormers available in your local grocery store or pet superstore, don’t affect tapeworms. Dr. Crawford recommends Iverhart Max as a heartworm, intestinal parasites and tapeworm preventative.

How can I prevent tapeworms?
You can prevent tapeworms by keeping your pet on a flea preventative. Dr. Crawford recommends Iverhart Max for tapeworm prevention.