General Pet Questions

Q: Does my pet really need a physical exam?
A: Yes. These exams are very important in order to determine your pet's health status. Please visit our Wellness tab to learn more about the importance and what is involved in a physical exam.

Q: Does my pet really need to be vaccinated?
A: Yes, even indoor only pets should be vaccinated at least on a 3-year basis. Rabies vaccines are required by law in Middle Tennessee in all counties, since we have a fairly high prevalence of the disease. Other vaccinations are also essential in keeping your pet healthy. We do, however taper vaccine schedules to meet your pet's specific needs, certainly an indoor cat will have very different vaccine needs as opposed to an outdoor one. Please visit our Wellness tab to find out more about vaccinations for your pet.

Q: How old does my puppy or kitten have to be for vaccines?
A: We recommend beginning vaccinations at 6 weeks of age (no later than 8 weeks.) This is the time when your pet's maternal antibodies are at the appropriate level and when your pet benefits most from the vaccine. We then repeat the vaccination process every three weeks until the puppy or kitten is 12-16 weeks of age. The Rabies vaccine comes last, at the final visit (usually between 12-16 weeks of age.) This enables him/her to build full immunity and be properly protected by the vaccine throughout the first year of his/her life.

This also is an important time to have your puppy or kitten examined by one of our Veterinarians in order to help in detection of congenital health defects or other important health concerns. Some breeders and pet stores provide a health guarantee requiring that your pet be examined by a Veterinarian within 72 hours of purchase.

A fecal examination is also performed at each visit in order to ensure the puppy/kitten is free of internal parasites that can otherwise go undetected. It is important to have a fecal checked at each 3-week interval since the parasite eggs that we look for in the fecal test are shed intermittently at different times in the parasite's lifecycle, therefore a fecal test may be negative one week and positive the next. Did you know that 90% of puppies and kittens are born with intestinal parasites? These parasites can cause fatal illness and greatly affect a puppy or kitty's health. It is also during these visits that we institute a heartworm and flea and tick prevention regime, for you to begin at home in order to protect your pet from harmful diseases.

Q: What is a vaccine reaction and how can it be prevented?
A: With vaccination commonly recommended annually, most pet owners are accustomed to taking their pets to the vet for "yearly shots." It seems such a commonplace part of routine pet care that many people do not think about what is actually occurring within their pet's body. In fact, immunization represents stimulation of the immune system, an inherently inflammatory process. It is typical for some joint or muscle soreness to occur after vaccination, for lethargy to be observed, or for a mild fever to be present for a day or two. These reactions are not serious and generally go unnoticed. Pets may eat, drink, and exercise normally after vaccination if they want to; it is the more serious allergic reactions that need to be distinguished from the above expected phenomena.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Allergic reactions are highly individual inflammatory responses against specific proteins entering the body. These proteins can be pollens, dusts, foods, medications, or even vaccines.

An allergic reaction might include hives, facial swelling, or even nausea. More serious reactions can include shock or sudden death ("anaphylaxis").

WHAT TO DO DURING THE REACTION
If your pet is having a reaction more severe than just some general malaise or soreness, you should let your veterinarian know right away. If it is after hours, it is prudent to consult the local emergency clinic. Anti-inflammatory injections can be used to halt the inflammatory cascade before it gets dangerously out of hand. Be sure you know who to call in case of problems after your pet is vaccinated.

Vomiting may be a sign of an on-coming serious reaction, or could represent something as mild as car sickness. If vomiting is observed, let your veterinarian know right away.

WHAT TO DO IN THE FUTURE FOR THE PET WHO HAS HAD REACTIONS
There are many steps that can be taken to prevent allergic vaccine reactions:

  • AVOID LEPTOSPIROSIS VACCINE
    The leptospirosis portion of the DHLPP (distemper) vaccine for dogs has a reputation for being the most likely portion to cause vaccine reactions. You can request that this portion be left out of your dog's vaccine.
  • AVOID GIVING SEVERAL VACCINATIONS AT ONE TIME
    Keep in mind that vaccines given within two weeks of each other can interfere with each other so you do not want to separate vaccines by less than a two week period but separating vaccine can mean your pet has less stimulation to deal with at one time. Breaking up vaccines also helps determine which vaccine is the culprit.
  • DO NOT HAVE YOUR PET VACCINATED AT A VACCINE CLINIC
    Vaccination clinics are designed to provide streamlined service for healthy pets in need of their regular immunizations. These clinics are generally not prepared for the individual attention required by a pet that has a history of vaccination reaction. A pet with a vaccine reaction history should receive some special attention in the form of observation in the hospital and/or pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory medication.
  • BE SURE YOUR VETERINARIAN IS AWARE OF YOUR PET'S HISTORY OF VACCINE REACTION
    This sounds very obvious but I have seen many people at vaccination clinics wait until after the animal has been vaccinated before informing the veterinarian that the pet has a history of reactions.
  • BE PREPARED TO PAY FOR EXTRA PRE-MEDICATIONS AND/OR OBSERVATION IN THE HOSPITAL
    Medications can be used to "head off" allergic reactions before they happen and with the use of these medications it is possible that a reacting pet can be vaccinated normally. To be safe, it is frequently recommended that the pet be observed for the day after vaccination, despite the medication. Consult your veterinarian regarding his/her recommendation.

Vaccination reactions severe enough to produce shock are EXTREMELY rare and are a function of an individual pet's immune response. Vaccination is an important part of responsible pet ownership and should not be omitted without specific veterinary guidance.

Q: When will my female puppy go into heat?
A: Intact female dogs will normally come into heat (estrus) once every four to 12 months with the average for most breeds being once every six months. You will probably notice some bloody discharge from the vagina and a swollen vulva when your dog is in heat. You may notice "mounting" behavior, also. The heat period can last from eight to 30 days with an average of about 20 days.

Most female dogs will be willing to stand for a male dog and permit breeding around 10 to 16 days after the beginning of their heat period. Some females will be a little more aggressive during their heat period, but most show no change in behavior and interaction with their owners.

Having puppies is great if you want the puppies or if you're trying to develop a special line of dogs. But there is no behavioral benefit in letting the female have a litter before spaying. The normal canine companion will benefit greatly from being spayed at an early age before she has her first heat cycle. Problems that can develop later in life, such as mammary cancer and uterine infections, are virtually eliminated if an ovariohysterectomy (spay) is performed before she experiences her first heat cycle.

Q: How old should my puppy or kitten be before he/she can be spayed or neutered?
A: Although, puppies and kittens can be spayed or neutered as young as 10-12 weeks of age, we recommend having the surgery done between 4-6 months of age. This is a good time to perform surgery as most inappropriate sexual, aggressive and marking behaviors have not fully developed, yet the patient has had enough time to mature and develop fully physically for surgery. Dogs' size is mostly determined by their genetics, not their hormones. Neutering does dramatically reduce the amount of testosterone in a male pup's system, which may give him a bit less muscle mass in the long run, but won't affect his height or the size of his frame. Actually, studies have shown that dogs spayed or neutered early (at 16 weeks or younger) tend to be slighter larger than those altered later in life. So you won't change your dog's growth by neutering him as a puppy. Plus there are a lot of advantages to neutering your pup. Having the surgery done any later than 6 months of age in kitties, and you run the risk of development of inappropriate urine marking and even pregnancy! Female dogs generally have their first heat cycle between 6-12 months of age, and if you are planning on having your dog spayed it is best to do so prior to her first heat cycle.

Q: Can I have my pet spayed when it is in heat?
A: It's possible to spay a dog during estrus, or heat, but it's not the best time. We prefer not to spay a dog in estrus because the uterine tissue can be swollen, fragile, and more prone to damage. Dogs also have a tendency to bleed more when they're in heat. Because of this, estrus makes surgery more risky for dogs, as well as for cats.

We prefer to delay spaying a dog until she has been out of estrus for a month or so. And, since a recently spayed dog may still be attractive to males, performing the surgery during heat won't do anything to keep the neighbors' dogs out of your yard. The best thing for your dog's health is to keep her safe inside for now and we can perform surgery in a month or so.

Q: Is there a problem with spaying a pet that's several years old?
A: While spaying or neutering pets before they reach adulthood is best for them, you can certainly have them spayed as adults. They'll still experience the benefits of being altered, including lower chances of reproductive tract diseases, less behavioral problems and no unwanted puppies and kittens.

As with any surgery, your pet should have some basic bloodwork performed beforehand to rule out any conditions that could make anesthesia dangerous. With these tests, the risks associated with routine surgeries like spays and neuters are small, even in older pets.

Q: Why is my pet scooting on my carpet and what are anal glands?
A: Anal glands are two paired glands located within and below the external anal sphincter muscle and can often be a problem in dogs. They produce a thick substance that may have at one time been used to mark territory when dogs were wild. They serve very little purpose in the modern domestic dog.

When the anal glands become full or impacted, the dog may experience some discomfort. The glands become VERY itchy and irritated. Actual pain is difficult to assess, but some believe that they can be painful in some cases. When the dog licks, chews or scoots on its bottom, it is attempting to express the glands on its own.

We can express your pet's anal glands manually and you do not need an appointment to have this done. This is a quick and easily performed procedure taking less than five minutes. This generally solves the scooting problem and makes your pet feel much better!

Q: Why does my pet have bad breath?
A: Most often, bad breath is caused by dental or periodontal disease. Some dogs do not adequately chew their food; thus they don't clean their teeth naturally by the chewing process. Also, some dogs and cats are just prone to dental plaque, tartar and disease. These pets may need more frequent dental cleanings and treatments.

Internal diseases such as kidney disease can also cause bad breath. A trip to your veterinarian is recommended in order to pinpoint the cause of your dog's bad breath and to ensure he is in good health.

Q: My pet drinks a lot more water than usual and has been urinating more, Why?
A: It is important that schedule an appointment for a complete physical examination as soon as possible. The symptoms you describe could indicate one of a number of problems, from something very treatable, such as a bacterial infection of the urinary tract, to something more serious like diabetes or kidney failure. Some of these conditions can be life-threatening if not treated in a timely fashion. We can run routine laboratory tests to determine your pet's condition and the best way to treat him.

Q: What is Heartworm Disease?
A: Heartworm is an insidious disease that has spread to virtually all parts of the US and many parts of Canada since the early 1970s. It is spread only by mosquitoes; thus, areas heavily populated by these insects tend to have a greater incidence of heartworm disease.

Heartworm can strike both dogs and cats, although it is much more commonly seen in dogs. As its name implies, heartworm lives in the blood of a dog's or cat's heart and adjacent blood vessels. The adult heartworms living in the heart produce offspring, called microfilariae, which circulate in the infected animal's blood.

When a mosquito "bites" an infected pet, it sucks out blood containing the microfilariae. After about two weeks in the mosquito, the microfilariae become infective larvae. This step is necessary for the transmission of heartworm. When the mosquito bites another pet, the infective larvae are transmitted.

Canine Heartworm
Veterinary research has resulted in medications and procedures that have improved the treatment of canine heartworm disease. Prompt detection and early treatment are vital to a successful cure.

Highly effective diagnostic testing and preventive medications have been developed in recent years. It is necessary to have a heartworm test prior to using a preventive. Severe or fatal reactions may occur if preventives are given to dogs with heartworm disease, or may create diagnostic confusion at a later date.

A small amount of blood is all that's necessary for a preliminary heartworm screening test that is very accurate in detecting the presence of heartworm. In many regions, this may be the only test needed before starting a preventive program. If the dog shows heartworm symptoms or has visited a known heartworm problem area, additional tests are recommended before a preventive or treatment program is started.

Common blood screening tests can verify the presence of heartworms. Radiographs or X-ray films and other sophisticated laboratory tests are used to detect heartworm disease.

Canine heartworm disease symptoms include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Coughing
  • Tires easily
  • Listlessness
  • Weight loss
  • Rough hair coat

In many cases, there are advanced symptoms. Some dogs do not appear to have symptoms in the early stages and others do. If not detected and controlled with proper treatment, heartworm can lead to congestive heart failure and death.

As a safeguard, we recommend annual screening tests even for dogs that are on heartworm preventives. In known heartworm areas, or if dogs are traveling into these areas, veterinarians usually prescribe preventive medications. This medication prevents the larvae from developing into adult heartworms. Prescribed medications must be given as directed.

Today, the majority of dogs with heartworm disease survive. Most are cured by medications. Some require surgery. Prompt detection prevents needless suffering.

Feline Heartworm
Although heartworm is seen less frequently in cats, the disease poses a much greater danger. The outcome is often fatal.

There currently are no drugs approved for fighting heartworm in cats. Cats can be treated with canine medications, but this can lead to dangerous side effects, including lung failure and death. Another approach to battle the disease is by treating the symptoms, with hopes of the cat outliving the worms (heartworms live within a cat for about two years). However, this approach can result in sudden death as the worms exit through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs.

There are no consistent clinical signs of heartworm in cats. Common clues include coughing and rapid breathing. Other signs include weight loss and vomiting. However, all of these signs are also common in other diseases. Diagnosis is difficult for veterinarians and may include outside laboratory tests, radiographs, and ultrasound studies.

The good news is that there are heartworm prevention drugs available for cats. If you live in a heartworm infested area, or plan on visiting a heartworm area with your cat, we can prescribe a preventive medication. These drugs are given once monthly and are very effective in cats and kittens.

Research continues into all phases of heartworm disease. For the latest advice, consult us.

Q: How can I prevent my pet from getting fleas?
A: The flea is a hardy insect with a lifespan of six to 12 months. During that time, a pair of fleas could produce millions of offspring. Fleas have survived millions of years in a variety of environments. Some species can leap 15 to 36 inches high. That's equivalent to a man jumping over the 555-foot Washington Monument.

All that may be admirable, but fleas on your pet or in your household aren't. Fleas can cause reactions in your pet varying from a mild skin irritation to a severe allergic reaction. Because fleas feed on blood, an extreme infestation can cause anemia or even death in animals. All cats and dogs, and other mammals, too, are susceptible to flea infestations, except for some that live in high elevations or in extremely dry environments.

Whether or not you actually see fleas on your pet, they may be there. Scratching, scabs and dark specs, or "flea dirt," found on the skin can all be signs that your pet has become the unwitting host for a family of fleas. Fleas can carry tapeworms, too. If you notice small white rice-like things in your pet's feces or in the hair around his anus, your pet probably has tapeworms, which means he may also have fleas. In extreme cases, an animal may be lethargic and its lips and gums pale.

To battle flea infestation requires patience and perseverance, so put on your armor and get to it! Because the life cycle of a flea is three to four weeks, it will take at least that long to completely rid your pet and its environment of the enemy. Different flea control products work in different ways, have varying levels of effectiveness and kill different flea stages (eggs, larvae and/or adults). You'll need to use a combination of products at the same time to be effective.

Adult fleas may be lurking in your home or yard, and eggs or larvae may be lying in wait, as well. You'll need to rid your house of fleas by vacuuming and washing your pet's bedding once a week, and using a disinfectant on washable surfaces. To assist you with clearing your home of fleas, you may want to consider hiring a professional exterminator.

If yours is an outside pet, you'll need to tackle the yard, too. Sunlight kills fleas, so concentrate your efforts in the shady areas of your yard especially. You can spray your yard with insecticide, or you can battle fleas with their natural enemy, nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic worms that kill flea larvae and cocoons. Apply them to your yard once a month until the fleas are gone. Check with your pet supply or garden stores to find out more.

Flea control has reached new levels in recent years. Today, there are products on the market that you can treat your pet with once a month that will help keep those annoying little jumpers away. Some products such as imidacloprid and fipronil kill adult fleas, and the latter works on ticks as well. These treatments are available only from your veterinarian and are given once a month. Be very careful to use the products as directed; some may be effective for dogs, but toxic to cats. Contact us before implementing any flea control program.

Now that you're armored with some information, you can help your pet win the war against fleas.

Q: Can I give my pet over the counter pain relievers?
A: NO, we do not recommend the use of any OTC pain relievers for your pet. Animals do not metabolize drugs in the same way people do, especially non-steroidal drugs such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Tylenol, and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is toxic to cats. It can take a cat up to 3 days to metabolize a baby-aspirin and the drug can cause liver irritation along with stomach upset and worse, internal bleeding in both cats and dogs.

It is very important that you not try to medicate your pet on your own. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is toxic to cats. If you feel as though our pet is in pain, please contact us immediately and keep in mind that there are many drugs for pain control that are formulated for pets that one of our Doctors can prescribe.

Q: Can I give my pet anything over the counter for diarrhea?
A: A single incident of vomiting or diarrhea is probably nothing, but anything more than two or three times within an hour or so could indicate a serious problem, also anything persisting for more than 24 hours. In these cases we need to see your pet for an appointment.

In the past, we have made recommendations regarding the use of OTC products such as Immodium and Pepto-Bismol in dogs for diarrhea. Currently, however we are not recommending the use of these products as they have added ingredients that can potentially be harmful to your pet and the dosing is often not appropriate for your pet. Please contact us so we can talk about your pet's problem and set up an appointment for an exam so that we may diagnose it as opposed to treating it symptomatically.

Q: Why was my pet's fecal sample negative and now I am seeing worms?
A: When we check your pet for worms we perform a fecal floatation test. Within this test we look for parasite eggs that are shed by common intestinal parasites and protozoa. These eggs are shed intermittently only at certain stages of a parasite's lifecycle. If the parasite is not shedding eggs at the time the fecal is collected, then we may not be able to detect their presence.

For example, if you are seeing small, white, rice-like worms around your pet's anal region or tail, these are probably tapeworm segments. Tapeworms are difficult to detect in a fecal floatation test as they shed their eggs outside of their host and into the environment. These eggs are contained in a small, white, rice-like segment. It is common practice to treat the tapeworms in spite of a negative fecal test.

Fecal flotation is still important in diagnosing internal parasites and should not be thought of as inaccurate by any means. We always recommend checking a fecal even if tapeworms are the only worms that may visible with the naked eye.

Q: Can my pet see colors?
A: Dogs and cats have rods and cones in their retinas but in a different proportion than in the human retina. Although they can differentiate colors, what they see is likely a more muted version of what we see. Dogs, especially, probably see more shades of gray than they do all of the individual colors.

Cats, by the way, can concentrate small amounts of light in their eyes, which allows them to see at night when the rest of us have difficulty. This special talent gives them their extraordinary night hunting vision.

Q: Is my pet's nose supposed to be wet or dry, warm or cold?
A: A cold, wet nose is one sign of good health in dogs and cats. However, even a healthy pet can have a warm, dry nose on occasion. On the other hand, really sick pets can also have cold, wet noses. What does all this mean? Simply that any one indicator of health is not 100 percent accurate all the time. Sick pets with cold noses should be seen by our veterinarian. And by the same token, pets with warm, dry noses that are showing other symptoms such as lethargy or not eating should also be seen by a doctor.

*For more information or to search an animal topic, please search through our recommended links under "Training, Behavior and/or Encyclopedia"Links:

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