- Is it really necessary to bring my dog and/or cat in for a yearly comprehensive exam?
Comprehensive examinations are recommended AT LEAST annually to check for health issues that my not be apparent ot owners. During a comprehensive examination the veterinarian will examine your pet's eyes, ears, skin and hair coat, listen to their heart and lungs, and discuss any concerns you may have.
- Does heartworm prevention and flea prevention need to be given year round?
Yes! Mosquitoes and fleas are both present year round across the United States, but especially in the south where temperatures remain warm for much of the year. Heartworm incidence is this region is still very high making year round heartworm prevention paramount.
- What dog and cat food brands do you recommend?
There are many great brands out there. It is recommended that pets are fed premium diets like Purina, Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba and Royal Canin. Occasionally, prescription diets are recommended based on a pet's specific needs. Our Veterinarian will make these recommendations when appropriate. If you are unsure about a specific food. Give us a call to get our veterinarian's advice.
- When do I switch from puppy/kitten food to adult food?
We recommend switching to adult dog or cat food between 10-12 months of age. We also recommend that you mix the puppy/kitten food with the adult food when feeding your pet for 5 to 7 days. This will help prevent GI upset.
- Where do I take my pet in case of emergency?
If there is an emergency during business hours, call our office ahead of time so we know what to expect and bring your pet in. If there is an emergency after hours please call one of three local emergency clinics:
Coastal Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Jacksonville, NC - 910-455-3838
Points East, Wilson, NC - 252-265-9920 https://ecvpetcare.com/
Animal Emergency and Trauma Hospital, Wilmington, NC - 910-791-7387 https://www.ecvetreferral.com/
- How often do I need to bathe my dog?
If no skin condition is present, you can bathe your dog every 4-6 weeks.
- Should I declaw my cat?
While we do not promote declawing of all cats, we recognize that there are certain times and situations that declawing my be necessary for the health and safety of the cat and family. In order to ensure the best outcome following surgery, we keep them overnight for observation, and provide comprehensive pain control.
- When does my pet need fecal samples, and why?
It is recommended that a fecal sample be provided at annual/wellness visits, new puppy/kitten exams, and when GI symptoms are present. Only tapeworms and roundworms are visible to the naked eye. On some occasions diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss are symptoms of intestinal worms but many intestinal parasites go undetected without running intestinal parasite tests. Some intestinal parasites are zoonotic, meaning they are transmittable to humans making routine intestinal parasite testing important to the health of pets AND humans.
- How do I transfer my pets record from a previous clinic?
Simply call your previous vet and have medical records faxed or emailed to our office. Should you have copies, you are welcome to drop them by our office. Records can be faxed to 910-293-3006 ore emailed to [email protected]. We will also be happy to request your records from another clinic. Just ask us!
- What types of animal do you see?
We welcome all breeds of cats and dogs.
- Do I need an appointment for my pet to see a veterinarian?
We see patients by appointment. Walk-ins are discouraged. If you do bring your pet as a walk-in, we kindly ask you to wait until a time becomes available for us to see you. Emergencies take priority, but a call ahead of time will help us ensure we are equipped to manage your pet's needs immediately on arrival.
- We would like to board our pet/s at your facility. What do we need to bring?
It is encouraged to bring your pet's normal diet to avoid any stomach upset while boarding. Please bring all medications in labeled pill vials and provide detailed medication instructions at drop off. We have plenty of bedding to keep your pet comfortable. Please label all belongings that will be dropped off with your pet. It is very important that you give yourself enough time to fill out our Boarding Form and necessary medication information for your pet at the time of drop off. We want to make sure that your pet is being fed and being given their medications appropriately to ensure their good health while at our clinic.
- At what age can my pet be spayed/neutered?
Ideally, we recommend having your pet spayed or neutered between 4-6 months of age.
- Is there anything I can give my pet for car sickness?
We have prescription motion sickness medications. Ask one of our veterinarians if these medications would be right for your pet.
- What does a microchip do? And, do you implant them?
No bigger than a grain of rice, a pet microchip is a radio-frequency identification transponder that is implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. A microchip's sole function is to store a unique ID number that is used to retrieve a pet parent's contact information. When a microchip scanner is passed over the skin of the microchipped pet, the implanted microchip emits a radio frequency signal. The scanner reads the microchip's unique ID code. The microchip registry is called, and the registry company uses the ID number to retrieve the pet parent's contact information from the pet recovery database. Most animal shelters and veterinary hospitals in the U.S. have global scanners that read pet microchips. Pet microchips are not tracking devices and do not work like global positioning devices (GPS). A microchip will normally last the lifetime of your pet because it is composed of bio-compatible materials that will not degenerate over time. You must register your pet's microchip to give your pet the best protection. Register your pet's microchip in a national pet recovery database with your contact information, so you can be contacted when your lost pet is found.
Yes, we do implant microchips.
- Can I give my pet OTC medications, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen?
Never give your pet Tylenol, Ibuprofen or any other OTC medication without consulting your veterinarian.