Can I request a specific doctor for my appointment?

Absolutely! Just let the receptionist know which doctor you'd prefer to see and we will schedule your appointment accordingly.

2.

Payment is expected at the time of service. We accept Mastercard, Visa, personal check, and cash.

3.

Why do I need to do a Heartworm Test every year?

Testing your pet once a year assures an early detection should your dog become infected with heartworm disease.

Also, the heartworm prevention manufacturers guarantee their products against heartworm infection. They will pay all costs involved with the treatment of heartworm disease in your pet, but with the stipulation that they are tested once a year

4.

Why do I need to keep my pets on heartworm preventative year round?

Owners should keep their dogs on heartworm preventative all 12 months of the year for these reasons;

1. Reseachers have found that mosquitoes can become infected with heartworms late in the Fall, become dormant when the weather cools, then re-emerge still infective in basements, barns, garages, or during warm periods in January.
2. Depending on the weather, mistakes can easily be made either starting HW preventative too late in the Springtime, or quitting too soon in the Fall.
3. The preventative medication carries a manufacture's guarantee that states they will cover the costs of HW treatment if your dog turns up positive for the disease.....provided, however, that your dog is tested once a year and is on preventative all year long.

5.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviurs is an intestinal virus that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.  There is a vaccine to help to prevent your dog from becoming infected with Coronavirus.

Will spaying/neutering my pet make them fat?

No, obesity in pets is normally caused by a high calorie intake and not enough exercise.

7.

Will spaying/neutering alter my pets behavior?

 Well, Yes and No....

    Yes; neutering your pet at an early age will reduce or eliminate hormonal induced behaviors. These are behaviors such as tomcat spraying, male dog "leg-humping", and roaming and territorial tendencies.

    No; neutering your pet will generally not change temperment problems, such as aggressiveness or hyperactivity.

Does my pet need vaccines every year?

In general, pets' vaccines are given once a year.

However, individual pets' vaccine needs differ. Because of individual health conditions or home environments, your pet may not be a candidate for yearly boosters. 

9.

What is the best food to feed my pet?

There are numerous brands/styles of pet food available on the market.  The different pet foods range from the hypoallergenic(very restricted ingredients) to your adult maintenance and senior diets.  If you are unsure of what diet is best for your pet, feel free to email any questions to the hospital and/or you may come in or even call and one of the staff will be happy to discuss your pets specific needs.

10.

Does Indiana have a 3yr Rabies Vaccine?

Yes, pet owners now have the option of choosing between a 1yr and a 3yr Rabies Vaccine. 

11.

What are vaccine titers?

Vaccine titers test the vaccine antibody levels in your pets bloodstream.  Vaccine titers are available for both dogs and cats.

12.

Should I brush my pets teeth?

Yes, if your pet will allow you.  This helps to reduce the amount of tartar deposits on the teeth.  You should never use human toothpaste on your animal there is toothpaste specifically designed for animals.

13.

How often should I have my pet's nails trimmed?

You should have your pet's nails trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks.

What does it mean when my cat stops using the litterbox?

When a cat stops using their litterbox it generally means there is a  medical problem.  The first thing you should do is submit a urine sample to your veterinarian to rule out a bladder/urinary tract infection.  If nothing is found you should schedule a consultation with your veterinarian to rule out any other medical issues and/or behavioral problems.

15.

How many litterboxes should I have?

The rule of thumb is 1 litterbox per cat plus one.(i.e. if you have 2 cats you should have 3 litterboxes)

Is table food bad for my pets?

Yes, most table food is bad for your pets.  Most table food has a high calorie count and can lead to obesity.  Table food can also be too rich for your pet's digestive tract, and can cause gastric upset(vomiting and/or diarrhea).

17.

What should I look for when picking a puppy/kitten?

You should look for a confident(but not aggressive) puppy.  Make sure the puppy does not have nasal or eye discharge and the skin and coat should be clean and in good condition.  When picking a puppy you should research the different breeds to make sure you pick the puppy that best fits your lifestyle/household.

When picking a kitten you should look for a nonaggressive but playful kitten.  Again, make sure the kitten does not have any nasal and/or eye discharge.  The kittens coat should also be clean and in good condition. 

18.

What is crate training?  Is it cruel to crate train my dog?

Crate training is essentially confining your pet in a suitable sized crate and/or room.  There are numerous styles and sizes of crates available.  You need to make sure you pick a crate that fits you and your dogs lifestyle(i.e. are you going to need to take the crate in your vehicle or is it only for when you pet is at home.)  A crate helps to eliminate destructive behavior and house soiling issues.  It also helps to prevent your pet from eating inappropiate items that could cause them harm.  It is not cruel and most pets come to think of their crate as their personal "cave" or safety zone.  You do need to make sure there are appropriate chew toys in your pets crate to occupy their time.

19.

Why should I take my puppy to obedience/puppy class?

Puppy classes help to socialize your dog to different people, dogs, and sorroundings.  Along with socialization puppy classes also begin to teach the basic concepts of "come,sit,down,and stay", along with general "good" behavior (i.e. not to jump up on people, chewing, etc.)  Obedience classes generally follow puppy classes and build on the basic concepts that you learned in puppy class.  Generally obedience classes are broken up into 3 categories--beginning, intermediate and advanced. 

20.

What is microchipping?

A microchip is a small implant the is injected (via a needle and syring) under the skin between your pets shoulder blades.  The microchip is assigned it's own number which is registered with the Avid Microchip company.  Most people choose to have their pet microchipped when they have their pet spayed/neutered.  Microchipping is a harmless procedure that can also be done when your pet is awake(not having a surgical procedure).