Frequently Asked Questions
| What do I do if my pet gets sick on a Sunday or in the evening? Call the Animal Emergency Clinic at (314) 739-1500. For horses call Equine Medical Associates at 636-458-3311. What do I have to do to set up a house call? Just call our office and talk to the receptionist- they will take your information and get directions to your house, we bring everything we'll need with us. When does a dog/ cat get a heat cycle? They usually begin their first heat cycle at 6 months. We recommend spaying before this occurs to prevent pregnancy and health problems. Does she have to come into heat, or have a litter before spaying? No, it is easier on them if they haven't had a heat cycle or a litter. How long are dog/ cats in heat? Dog are in heat for approximately 3 weeks every 6-9 months. Cats are in heat on and off during their breeding season, they are induced ovulators, so they will come into heat if they sense a male in the area. Can I have them spayed during their heat cycle? No, we recommend waiting until she has finished the cycle to reduce surgical risks. What is done during a spay? We surgically remove the ovaries and uterus; your pet is kept in the hospital only for the day of surgery. Generally there are no sutures to be removed, and your pet will need to rest for 7-10 days postoperatively. We also send home pain control with every surgical patient to make sure your pet is back to feeling like themselves as soon as possible. How old does my dog/ cat need to be before they can be neutered? We usually don't do neuters before 6 months of age, but can in certain situations. What is done during a neuter? We surgically remove the testicles; your pet is kept in the hospital only for the day of the surgery. Generally there are no sutures to be removed. You must rest your pet for 7-10 days following surgery. We also send home pain control with every surgical patient to make sure your pet is back to feeling like themselves as soon as possible. Will spaying/ neutering make my pet fat or lazy? Spaying or neutering will not make you pet lazy or gain weight. How long are dogs/ cats pregnant? They are pregnant for approximately 63 days. My dog can't be pregnant, why are her breasts swollen? It is possible that she is going through a false pregnancy (following a normal heat cycle) and should pass. Other problems should be evaluated by a veterinarian. When should I get the puppies dewclaws removed and their tails docked? This needs to be done by 1-3 days after birth. When do puppies/ kittens open their eyes? They open their eyes at 10 days. The mother is not producing enough milk, what do I do? Supplemental puppy/ kitten mile replacer is available through veterinarians; we carry several types. Do not give cows milk. What should I feed my puppy/ kitten? You should feed a good, quality kitten or puppy food only. Offer food 3-4 times a day for 15-30 minutes at a time. Milk is not necessary in their diet once they are weaned from their mother. What should I feed my dog/ cat who is pregnant or nursing? They should be fed puppy/ kitten food until the puppies/ kittens are weaned. Why do I need Heartworm prevention for my dog/ cat? Heartworm are very common in St. Louis, and all dog are exposed to them. They are spread by mosquitos so even if your pet never goes outside they are still exposed. How long does my cat/ dog need to be on prevention? They should be given their prevention monthly for their entire lives. The St. Louis winters are to variable to determine a true mosquito season. Can I get worms from my pet? Children who ply outdoors where the animal defecates can get contaminated dirt on their hands can contract the parasites. It is important to keep all pets on parasite control, and to make sure everyone washes their hands before putting them in their mouth. What else can my pet give me? You can contract ringworm, and mange from pets. It's important to take them to the vet if you see any itching because it may be caused by these and it will need to be treated quickly. What do I do if I lose my pet? Contact the Humane Society and Rabies Control; check the papers for ads for found pets, place a lost pet ad, notify your local police station some keep notices for lost pets, check around your neighborhood, ask your neighbors to keep any eye out, hang up notices. Make sure to call local shelters every few days to see if they have found any pets that may be yours. To help in this situation try to keep a rabies tag, and an ID tag on all pets. My dog scoots their rear end on the floor, could they have worms? It is possible that they may have worms, it's more likely that their anal glands are full and need to be expressed to relieve discomfort. What can I do about my pets breath? Bad breath may be caused by severe dental disease, they may need to have their teethe cleaned to remove tartar and reduce gingivitis. You can prevent dental disease by brushing teeth with a soft bristle brush and pet tooth paste. Do not use human toothpaste, it is toxic to pets. Does crunchy food help my pet's breath/ teeth? It can help, but it will vary depending on the conformation of your pet's mouth and may not be the answer for most pets. What should I do about my pets stinky ears? The odor may be a sign of an ear infection, it may be best to make an appointment to have your pet examined. Does my ferret/ bird/ rabbit/ skunk need vaccinations? At this time vaccinations are only recommended for ferrets. What do I do with a baby bird? It is best to leave it alone for a while. If it is apparent that it can not get back to the nest, you may want to call the Wildlife Rescue Center. We don't recommend trying to raise it. Do you take Credit Cards or Checks? Yes, we take Visa, Discover, and MasterCard. |
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Phone (314) 383-4677