FAQ
Having a pet in your family can be a wonderful experience,
but it also requires a serious commitment to its general health
and care. We
feel it is our role as a veterinary hospital to help guide you in making
the best decisions for your pet's overall health.
 What symptoms are signs my dog or cat could be sick?
The following are often signs of serious illness for dogs or cats.
As it would be impossible to list all symptoms of illness, if
you notice anything unusual in the appearance or attitude of your
pet, please call us for advice at 510-529-0777. After
hours, we recommend the Pet Emergency Treatment Service in Berkeley
at 510-548-6684.
Difficulty breathing - bring your pet to
a vet immediately. Cats
that appear to be moving their chest more than normal to breathe
may be hiding an illness. They may cough too. Also, look for avoidance
of exercise.
Vomiting is serious if the pet can not hold
down food or water for more than a day.
Diarrhea which goes more than 2-3 days should
be checked. If there
is vomiting or very watery diarrhea consult a vet immediately as
dehydration could occur.
Frequent or excessive urination or thirst can indicate kidney
disease, diabetes or another serious illness.
Constipation, especially in older cats, may
require a veterinarian. Bring in your pet if you see them straining to go for more than
one day.
Frequent urination, blood in urine or straining
to urinate are all life threatening. It could indicate a urinary tract infection
or an obstruction of the urethra, especially in male cats. Consult
a vet immediately.
Loss of Appetite - this includes becoming
picky or only eating people food when before they ate their dry food readily.
Weight Loss - Sometimes it’s hard to judge weigh
loss with your furry pets. If you suspect weight loss, bring your pet by
for a weight check and we can compare it to their previous weight.
Weakness, collapse, or seizures, even if followed by a seeming
return of normal behavior should be checked by a veterinarian.
Looking off-color, if your dog or cat loses
the sparkle in their eye for more than a day, please bring them in for an exam as this
may be the first sign of illness.
 Which vaccines does my puppy need
and why?
We recommend that puppies receive a series of basic
vaccinations every 3 to 4 weeks starting at eight weeks of
age, until they are 16 to 17 weeks old. An
individualized protocol and schedule will be discussed during
your puppy's first visit.
This usually includes a combination
vaccine (several vaccines combined into one injection) called
a DHLPP which protects against Canine Distemper, Canine Infectious
Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Canine Parvovirus, and Canine Parainfluenza. Based
on your puppy's breed and lifestyle, vaccination against Kennel
Cough (Bordetella), Leptospirosis, and/or Lyme disease may also
be included. Once
your puppy is 15 to 17 weeks old, he or she is considered old
enough to be given a Rabies vaccine, which is protective for one
year.
Find more information here: veterinarypartner.com
Which vaccines does my kitten need
and why?
We recommend that kittens receive a series of vaccinations
every 3 to 4 weeks at eight weeks of age, until they are 16 to
17 weeks old. An
individualized protocol and schedule will also be discussed during
your first visit, and will usually include a combination vaccine
(several vaccines combined into one injection) called an DRC,
which protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus,
and Feline Panleukopenia.
Once
your kitten is 16 weeks old, it is considered old enough to be
given a Rabies vaccine, which is protective for one year. Once
your kitten is older than 12 weeks, he or she should be tested for
Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. If your
cat will spend time outdoors, or could potentially escape and/or
be exposed to a stray kitten or other indoor/outdoor cat, we
recommend your kitten also be vaccinated for feline leukemia virus
and the feline aids virus..
If my pet has a cold, should I put off getting the shots?
We give vaccines only to healthy animals and will ask about your pet’s
medical history and do a physical exam before administering shots. If
a pet is already sick or taking medicine, it’s immune system may
not respond to the vaccine and it is better to wait.
What you need to know before your pets upcoming surgery?
Many people have questions about various aspects
of their pet's surgery, and we hope this information will help. It also explains the decisions
you will need to make before your pet's upcoming surgery.
Is the anesthetic safe?
Today's modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery
much safer than in the past. Here at Abbey Pet Hospital, we do a thorough physical
exam on your pet before administering anesthetics to ensure that
a fever or other illness won't be a problem. We also adjust the
amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of
your pet.
Pre-anesthetic blood testing is important before surgery
to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even
apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems
that cannot be detected without blood testing. During your office
visit our veterinarians will make recommendations concerning blood testing.
In some cases, blood testing may be required
if your pet has a pre-existing condition or is older. If
there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes
anesthetic or surgical complications. Animals that have a minor dysfunction will
handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids during surgery. If
serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until
the problem is corrected.
If we find
any problems with the bloodwork, a doctor will call you prior to
any anesthetic procedure to discuss the results. IV catheters
are also recommended during surgical procedures. Pre-hydrating
animals can reduce the risk of low blood pressure during surgery. It also
improves kidney and liver function which is necessary for your animal
to process the anesthetic. Anesthetic problems are extremely rare. If
they occur, however, an IV catheter becomes an important route for drug
administration.
Can pets eat or drink before surgery?
It is important that surgery be done on an empty
stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will
need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery. For
certain breeds such as Pugs or Bulldogs we may recommend you
withold food for up to 24 hours. Pets may drink water until the morning
of surgery.
Will my pet have stitches?
Most surgeries involve skin sutures which are
removed 10-14 days after surgery. For some surgeries
(such as dog castrations) there will be dissolvable sutures placed
beneath the skin.
With either type of suture, you will need to keep an eye on the
incision for swelling or discharge. Watch that your dog or cat does
not lick excessively or chew at the incision as occasionally
this is a problem. Some animals need a plastic collar to keep them
away from their incisions. You will also need to limit your pet's
activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days
after surgery.
Will my pet be in pain?
Anything that causes pain in people can be expected
to cause pain in animals. However, pets may not show the same symptoms of
pain as people do; they usually don't whine or cry, but you can be sure
they feel it. Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery
performed. Major procedures require more pain relief than things
like minor lacerations.
For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflamatory
the day after surgery and several days after to lessen the risk
of discomfort and swelling. We
use newer medications which are less likely to cause stomach
upset and can be given even the morning of surgery if the doctor
decides it is necessary.
Cats do not tolerate standard pain medications such
as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol. Therefore the variety of pain
medications for cats is more limited. Recent advances in pain medications have
allowed for better pain control for cats than ever before. After
surgery, pain medication is given on a case by case basis. Any animal
that appears to be in pain will receive additional pain medication.
How do I get a city dog license?
When you vaccinate
your dog for rabies, part of the fee goes toward a mandatory
tax. At the
time of your pet's rabies vaccine, you will receive the current year's rabies
vaccination and a proof of vaccination certificate signed by your veterinarian. A
rabies certificate will be issued without a
tag. You will be responsible for
registering your pet in your own county. <
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What is a Microchip and how do I get one?
This chip is about the diameter of pencil lead, and
is placed just below your
pet's skin between the shoulder blades. It's inserted using a syringe...similar
to giving a vaccine injection. Your pet can be fully conscious
when the microchip is placed; however, we prefer to place the
microchip while your pet is being spayed or neutered.
If your pet is lost or stolen
and picked up by animal control or brought to a shelter or clinic, your pet will be scanned with a universal scanner, and, if
chipped, a number will come up that links your pet back to your current
address and phone number!
When should my pet be neutered/spayed?
We recommend the procedure be done at
4 to 6 months of age, though
a spay or neuter (castration) can be performed at any age over
2 months (8 weeks.) Even if your dor or cat is older,
the benefits of spaying or neutering (both health and behavioral)
can still be obtained regardless of the age at which spaying/neutering
is performed.
Find more information about the procedure and its health benefits
here:
Canine
Neuter FAQ
Canine
Spay FAQ
Feline
Neuter FAQ
Feline
Spay FAQ
How often does my pet need to have its teeth cleaned? Is
there anything I should be doing at home?
Your veterinarian will examine your pet's
teeth during his
or her annual or biannual exam to determine the best schedule
for your pet. Just like people, individual pets develop
tartar and oral disease at different rates. Some can
go for a year or two without a cleaning at your veterinarian's
office, whereas others need a professional cleaning every 6 months!
And the more home dental care you utilize, the less often your
pet will need its teeth professionally cleaned.
Click
here for more info on teeth cleaning and care
Does my cat need to be declawed?
We always recommend that new cat owners
train their kittens to use a scratching post or pads as early
as possible. It
is a natural part of the cat's behavior and personality to stretch
their legs, deposit their scent and shed the outer casings of
their nails by scratching.
Overly destructive
or aggressive cats, or cats living in homes of elderly or
immunocompromised individuals may be declawed. We recommend
declawing only the front paws, as the hind paws are rarely used
for scratching. If you decide to declaw your cat, we recommend
you schedule the procedure at the same time as your pet is spayed/neutered,
as younger cats heal faster and with less pain than adult cats.
More
cat declawing info
My pet just came home from the hospital, and I'm
having a hard time getting it to take its medication. What
can I do?
We understand how frustrating it can be to get
your pet to take medication sometimes; however, this medication is
important to the health and comfort of your pet. Your
compliance to the medication protocol your veterinarian prescribes
is essential to promote healing. Sometimes we can prescribe
or order a different form of the medication, such as a liquid,
flavored chewable tablet or transdermal gel, which will
make life easier for you and your pet. Don't hesitate to
contact us if you are having trouble giving your pet its medication.
Please
review this links for some helpful suggestions for giving
your pet medicine
What is Heartworm disease? Why does my pet need
to be tested while on a preventative?
Heartworm is a parasite that is carried
in its larval form by mosquitoes. If your dog or cat is bitten by an infected
mosquito, it will deposit the larvae into your pet's bloodstream,
where they will grow into multiple adult-sized worms
in your pet's heart. This infestation does irreversible
and often deadly damage to your pet's heart and lungs. You
can prevent your pet from becoming infected by keeping a
low level of an anti-parasitic medication in your pet's bloodstream. However,
giving your pet this medication if he or she already HAS heartworm
disease can be detrimental to your pet's health; therefore we
recommend testing once a year to screen for the disease.
Currently, our recommendation
is to keep your pet on a preventative year round, as opposed
to only during the mosquito season, as current research
has shown it can take multiple doses of the preventative
to fully eradicate an infection. Preventatives we recommend
and dispense include Heartgard Plus, Interceptor, Sentinel,
and Revolution.
For example, if your pet was bitten
by an infective mosquito late in the season, such as in November, it will actually take the following doses during December and
January to prevent your pet from getting an infection. Additional benefits
include preventing your pet from picking up most intestinal
parasites, such as hookworms and roundworms, which can be passed
on to us! If there is a lapse in preventative, such as skipping
a month, and the pet is not tested, the disease could progress
to heart failure before detection.
Find more information about heartworm disease here:
Heartworm disease
Heartworm
prevention
*Note: We do not routinely test cats for
heartworm disease, as most are indoors and exposure is minimal. However, if your
cat does go outside, even for short periods of time, we recommend
discussing proper heartworm testing and prevention for your cat.
What are anal sacs and why does my pet always need
them expressed?
Anal sacs (or anal glands) are two small
glands just inside your pet's anus. The material
that collects in these glands normally acts as a marking scent
and lubricant during defecation. However, some pets have difficulty
expressing that material
and it accumulates in the glands until they feel uncomfortable. At
this point you will notice your pet dragging its rear on the
ground ("scooting") or licking that area. If
the glands are not emptied, complications can occur. It's
best that the veterinarian see your pet if your pet is exhibiting
any of these symptoms.
More
info on expressinig anal sacs
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