When do I need to start my pet’s vaccinations/shots?
Puppies and kittens should start their vaccine series at approximately 8 weeks of age. If you have a pet older than 4 months of age that is not vaccinated, they should start their vaccines right away.
What vaccines does my pet need?
Vaccinations vary depending on your pets lifestyle. They can be broken down into two categories, core and non-core vaccinations. Core vaccines are recommended for all pets regardless of lifestyle. Non-core vaccinations are recommended for pets with a lifestyle that may expose them to additional diseases.
Does my pet really need vaccines?
The simple answer is yes. Vaccines are the foundation to your pets’ wellness care. They are the simplest way to prevent your pet from contracting potentially life threatening illnesses.
Why does my pet need flea medications, they are indoor only?
Unfortunately, even indoor only pets can get fleas. We can carry live fleas and flea eggs into our homes on our shoes and clothing. Fleas can carry GI parasites that can be passed to our pets. If severe enough, they may even cause our pets to become anemic.
I don’t see worms, why does my puppy/kitten need to be dewormed?
Worms are not always visible in your pets’ stools. Your pet may be shedding microscopic worm eggs invisible to the naked eye. Some types of GI parasites our pets carry can be transmitted to humans. It is important to have all puppies and kittens dewormed at least twice before 4 months of age and every 12 months after that.
I don’ t see fleas, why does my dog/cat need flea medications?
Even if you don’t see fleas, a single flea that jumps onto and off your pet may cause your pet to be extremely uncomfortable. We recommend year-round flea control for both indoor and outdoor pets.
Why is my pet scratching?
Scratching can have many different causes. While fleas are one of the most common causes of scratching, allergies, ringworm, mange and many more diseases can cause your pet to itch. Please feel free to ask one of our technicians for more information.
What is heartworm?
Heartworm is a worm that infects your dog and grows within your dog’s heart. It can cause severe heart disease and even death. The worm is carried by a mosquito and is transmitted when an infected mosquito bites your dog. Because the disease can be life threatening and can be easily prevented, we recommend year-round heartworm prevention for all dogs.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small, radio frequency ID chip that is placed under your pets’ skin. This unique ID is attached to your contact information so you and your pet can be reunited should you become separated. Note that a microchip is not the same as a GPS tracker. A microchip must be scanned so your contact information can be obtained. It does not provide real time location tracking.