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FAQ
How Should I Brush My Dog's Teeth?
Brushing your dog's teeth is the single most effective means to curtail dental disease. This makes sense because the bacterial film known as 'plaque' is the root of many dental problems. This film is easily displaced by simple mechanical disruption as the teeth are brushed. Daily brushing is required to improve dental health, while brushing every other day will help maintain the dental health in its current state. Almost all dogs will eventually accept brushing. The key to success is to be patient and gradual in your approach, brushing mainly the outsides of the 'cheek teeth'. A pet that resists brushing frequently does so because they have painful areas in their mouth that need to be addressed. We recommend CET toothpaste for pets, which is pet safe and come in several flavors such as poultry, malt and mint. Avoid human toothpastes as they usually contain abrasives and detergents that can be irritating if swallowed. Specific veterinary toothbrushes are very soft and angled to assist in brushing the back teeth.
What are the most common dental problems in pets?
Over 70% of all dogs and cats over five years of age suffer from periodontal disease, which means that they have loss of the supporting structures of the teeth. In most cases this process is uncomfortable, and it will eventually lead to problems such as loose teeth, bacteria in the blood stream, and damage to the kidneys, heart and liver. The majority of dogs and cats seen at this practice over the age of 5 have one or more painful teeth in their mouth.
Why is my pet's breath so bad?
Bad breath is usually associated with bacteria in the mouth that produce sulfur containing compounds such as hydrogen sulfides and methyl mercapatans. These compounds not only smell bad, but they also are damaging to the oral tissues. Professional cleaning along with home plaque control (see home care) gives the best results. Bad breath that returns very shortly after a cleaning indicates that there may be some deep-seated problems that may have been overlooked.
Bad breath is occasionally seen with medical conditions such as kidney failure and diabetes.
How can I take weight off my pet?
First, visit your veterinarian to be sure the weight gain is not caused by a medical condition. Then, switch to a reduced calorie formula diet (the veterinarian can suggest one) and curb the amount of treats. Adding vegetables to your pet's food will add bulk to a meal without adding calories. Visiting the veterinary hospital for frequent weigh-ins will help keep you and your pet on the right track.
What are heartworms? How do pets get heartworm disease?
Heartworm are parasites that attack the heart and cause congenital heart problems if not detected and treated. Heartworm is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
The boarding kennel wants my dog to have the "kennel cough" vaccine. What is that?
'Kennel cough' is a bacterial infection involved in infectious tracheobronchitis and is spread by airborne bacteria. A dog may come in contact with this virus through contact with other dogs in places such as kennels, grooming, dog park visits, dog shows and field trials. It is recommended that dogs who will be in these situations be vaccinated one week prior to exposure. High risk dogs may need twice yearly vaccinations
When can I get my pet spayed or neutered?
Generally, puppies and kittens can be spayed or neutered at four months of age, before they reach sexual maturity.
How long does a female dog stay in heat?
A female dog usually remains in heat for 2 1/2 to 3 weeks.
Why do you recommend performing bloodwork on a yearly basis on my pets?
In addition to performing a yearly physical exam we recommend performing yearly bloodwork. This yearly blood exam checks your pet' kidneys, liver, blood sugar and blood protein. It is very easy to perform these blood tests at the same time we perform the yearly heart worm test. In our senior or geriatric pets we may recommend some additional blood test.
How long is a Rabies Vaccine good for?
The first vaccine that a dog receives is only good for 1 year, each one after that as long as they are not overdue are good for 1 year. The City of Jacksonville requires yearly licensing for your dog cat cat. They now require that any veterinarian that gives a rabies vaccine must sell the tag. The fine for not registering for pet with the city is $250.00
When should heartworm prevention be started, and should it be used year round.
In this area Heartworm disease is very prevalent. Heartworm preventative should be started at 8 weeks of age. If 6 months or older, a heartworm test should be performed before starting preventative. Heartworm preventative should be given once a month, year round, for the life of your pet. There is no longer any treatment for heartworms - so remembering your prevention is VERY important!
When should flea prevention be started, and should it be used year round?
Flea prevention is recommended according to an animal's environment. If fleas are a concern, prevention can be initiated as early as 8-10 weeks depending upon the product used. In endemic areas where fleas are prevalent, year round prevention is recommended. For good control and prevention, every dog and cat in the household should be included in the eradication or prevention. The house and yard should also be considered a part of the treatment protocol.
How can I tell if my pet is in pain?
Animals do not necessarily show pain the way humans do. Any behavioral abnormality can be a sign of pain. Some signs would be depression, limping, lethargy, no appetite, aggressive behavior and inappropriate vocalization. Pain can actually further debilitate an already injured or sick pet. Arthritis is a common cause of pain, especially in the older pet. Once discomfort and pain are controlled, pets generally become much more active and are able to play and enjoy their environment again. Dr Kempf has a special interest in pain management and is an active member in the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. There are many different types of pain management. Do not let your pet be in pain.
How does my pet get tapeworms?
The most common source of tapeworm infestation is the flea. Fleas can harbor tapeworm larvae, and when they are ingested during grooming, the larvae will develop into adult tapeworms which live in the pets intestinal tract. As the parasite grows, egg packets develop in segments of the worm and are passed with the feces. These segments are white and will move about. Dried segments may appear as pieces of brown rice or sesame seeds around the rear of the pet. We have medication that will eliminate tapeworms from your pet but the best treatment is prevention. To prevent tapeworms, you must prevent fleas. We recommend Comfortis or Advantage.
I got a kitten two days ago, and she hasn't used the litterbox yet. What's wrong?
When cats are thrown into an environment where they're nervous or uncomfortable, they can hold their urine and bowel movements for up to three or four days. Your kitten may be fine physically, but still adjusting to her new environment. To make sure that a physical problem isn't keeping your kitten from using the litterbox, however, you should have her examined by a veterinarian. This is a good idea with any new kitten, because many conditions are much easier to treat if caught early.
Is it okay to feed my cat milk?
Veterinarians generally do not recommend feeding milk to our feline friends. A cat's digestive system does not digest milk well. Feeding milk to your cat can cause diarrhea, which can lead to further nutritional problems (your cat won't be able to absorb nutrients from his food).
Here are some questions/answers that we are frequently asked. If you have additional questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to give us a call at Parkway Animal Hospital.
1. What are the Hospital hours?
Our hospital is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm. On Saturdays we are open from 8:00am until 2 pm. The clinic is closed on Sunday.
2. Do I need to have an appointment?
Yes, patients are seen by appointment.
3. What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Check, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Visa and Care Credit
4. Can I make payments?
Payment is required at the time of service. We do offer a service called Care Credit that allows you to make interest free payments. You can apply at www.carecredit.com
5. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?
Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 4 months of age. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. Also a pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Pain management after Surgery is strongly encouraged
6. What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?
This is a blood test that is run here in the clinic prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions, blood counts and clotting function of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.
7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?
Procedures involving sutures require them to be removed in 14 days following the surgery.
8. Is it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?
No, there is no advantage to letting your pet have one litter. However there are plenty of advantages to having you pet spayed or neutered. These advantages include decreasing the chances of breast tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens.
9. Do you board pets?
Yes, we do boarding for our clients. We have boarding space for both dogs and cats. We also can board birds and other small animals, but you will be required to bring your own cage and food for your pet.
10. What are your kennels like?
Our dog kennels are all indoor. The dogs are walked 3 times daily while they are boarding. The cat boarders are housed in a separate area away from the dogs. Blankets and food are provided for our boarders, but you are always welcome to bring your own.