FAQs

Emergencies can strike at any time. If your pet faces an emergency or falls ill outside of your vet’s regular hours, you can reach out to any local Urgent Care or Emergency Clinic in the area.

It’s crucial to have a financial plan for such situations. Whether your vet can attend to your pet or you need to visit an emergency room, medical costs can escalate quickly, leading to additional expenses. Remember, even during clinic hours, your vet might refer you to an emergency center if they are occupied with other critical cases or if your pet requires specialized care and equipment.

Ensuring your pet is calm and comfortable at the vet clinic can make the experience more pleasant for everyone. Most veterinary clinics require cats to be in carriers and dogs to be on short, non-retractable leashes.

Creating a positive association with the vet clinic is beneficial, but if your pet finds it challenging, medications can help ease their anxiety. If you have an established veterinary-client-patient relationship and there are no contraindications, most vets will gladly prescribe medications to help your pet feel less anxious during their visit.

Just like humans, overweight pets are at a higher risk of developing various diseases that can affect their quality and length of life. These risks include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, bladder stones, and complications during anesthesia. Many pet parents may not realize their pet is overweight or know the best ways to help them lose excess weight. Therefore, it’s very beneficial to discuss proper feeding and diet recommendations, as well as the appropriate amount of exercise, during your pet’s annual exam.

Lumps and bumps on or beneath your pet’s skin are quite common. Although your vet will conduct a thorough physical exam at each visit, these can sometimes be small and hard to detect, especially in fluffy pets. If you notice any lumps or bumps while petting your dog or cat at home, make sure to mention it to your vet. While many of these are benign, some could indicate skin cancer. Since it’s challenging to determine just by looking, your vet may recommend additional tests like a fine needle aspiration or biopsy.

Year-round prevention of fleas, heartworms, and intestinal parasites is beneficial for all pets. This is especially crucial if your pet has a flea allergy, spends a lot of time outdoors, or lives with young children or immunocompromised individuals. There are various brands and types of parasite prevention products, including oral, topical, and injectable options. Some products protect against one type of parasite, while others cover multiple types of external and internal parasites. With so many choices, it can be overwhelming to select the right product for your pet. Your vet can recommend the best option based on your pet’s breed and lifestyle.

Your pet’s dental health is a crucial part of their veterinary care and should be discussed at all life stages. Young puppies and kittens might have retained baby teeth or malocclusion (abnormal bite). Dental disease can occur at any age but is particularly common in adult and senior pets. Cats are especially prone to developing feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions.

If possible, brush your pet’s teeth at home and use dental products. However, most pets will need multiple dental cleanings under anesthesia throughout their lives. Your vet can advise when these cleanings are necessary and explain the process.

Before giving your dog any new human medication, food, or supplement, it’s important to consult your vet. Some common human medications, like ibuprofen and Tylenol, can be highly toxic to pets. Your vet will appreciate you checking in to ensure your dog’s safety.

Pets can do the funniest things, but it can sometimes be hard to tell if their behavior is normal or a sign of an underlying medical or behavioral issue. If you have any questions about something you’re noticing at home, it’s best to call your vet and schedule an appointment.

If your vet prescribes a new medication or treatment for your pet, make sure to discuss any questions you have about administering it before leaving the clinic. Ear ointment, eye drops, and pills can be tricky to give, especially to feisty felines. Your veterinary care team can demonstrate how to do it. This is particularly important for medications like insulin and subcutaneous fluids, which require injections at home. Your care team wants you to feel comfortable administering the medication and confident that your pet is receiving the correct dosage.

The frequency of vet visits depends on your pet’s life stage and any underlying medical conditions. Make sure to check if any rechecks are needed or when your vet wants to see you next. Healthy adult pets should visit the vet at least once a year. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and those with chronic medical conditions will need more frequent visits.

Alleviating financial worries can shift the focus of client communication to medical recommendations and quality of care rather than cost, ensuring more pets receive the care they need. When choosing pet insurance, several factors should be considered. First, determine the type of coverage your pet needs. Some policies cover only accidents and emergencies, while others include routine care like vaccinations and dental cleanings. Consider your pet’s age, breed, and overall health when deciding on the level of coverage. Additionally, think about your budget and how much you can afford for monthly premiums and deductibles.