GENERAL PATIENT CARE

Your new pet will receive a physical exam making sure all systems are healthy/normal when you first visit the doctor. Each visit will include this complete assessment of eyes, ears, teeth/bite, skin, heart, lungs, conformation and reproductive tract.

We discuss nutrition. Cat and dogs should eat appropriate, good quality, easy to find food. Feeding from the table does not meet their nutritional needs, and may cause vomiting or diarrhea resulting in hospitalization.

We recommend Proplan food made by Purina.

VACCINATIONS/PROTECTION

Young dogs are vaccinated annually against distemper, hepatitis, parainfulenza, parvo virus. The vaccine schedule changes to a 3 year program once we feel that our patients immunity is established. Kittens are protected from FVRCP-C and we may advise Lukemia vaccinatin. We discuss the need for additional vaccines which may be given on a different schedule. The other diseases we might vaccinate against are kennel cough, leptospirosis and canine influenza. Rabies vaccination is required by law. The first vaccine must be given between 12 & 16 weeks of age. Administer booster as advised by the first vaccine by our staff. If you do not booster the immunity on time, the public health veterinarian mandates that we issue a one year tag & certificate!

INTERNAL PARASITES

All of our patients should receive a prescribed monthly heartworm preventive to protect them from this infection. Animals may contract heart worms from mosquitoes if we fail to do this. Once thought to be only a disease of dogs, recent studies indicate that our feline companions can and do develop heart worm infection. Indoor cats are statistically higher risk of infection than outdoor cats. In cats, typically only one to a few worms develop to maturity, unlike dogs where large numbers develop. In cats, it takes only a single heartworm to have fatal results. We can not administer the medicine that kills adult heartworms to our feline patients. Most of our heart worm preventives protect against intestinal parasites on a monthly basis.

EXTERNAL PARASITES

It is a lucky pet that escapes the need for protection from fleas and ticks, or even mosquitoes and biting flies. For this reason we usually recommend the use of a monthly product that is safe, easy to use, and possibly water resistant. Bathing does kill fleas but will not prevent re-infestation. There are several oral products available for flea control.

DENTAL CARE

Brush your pets teeth as often as you do your own. Of course, this is easier said than done.

Feel free to ask a doctor or staff member about any of our recommendations

It is impossible to include the answers to all your questions in a simple brochure. If a friend or relative gives you advice about any of these issues and it seems in conflict with our ideas, please allow us a chance to go into more detail about our experiences.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES

In order to provide you with 24 hour a day health care for your family member, we have made arrangements with the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Cary (919-233-4911) to serve your medical needs when we are closed.