7626 Florissant Road

St. Louis, MO 63121 US

(314) 383-4677

FAQ

What do I do if my pet gets sick on a Sunday or in the evening?

Call:

Associated Veterinary Specialists in Bridgeton (314) 739-3330

Midwest Veterinary Referral Center in Chesterfield (636) 536-4991

Veterinary Specialty Services in Manchester (636) 227-6100

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. For established clients only.

Is the dental cleaning my dog receives at the groomer sufficient?

While a cleaning on an awake pet may be helpful, depending on the patient's cooperation, it cannot do as thorough a job as a full anesthetic procedure with deep cleaning under the gum lines where the disease actually occurs.

What can I do at home to help my pet's dental health?

Brushing teeth is the best option. If you plan to do this, it is recommended you start at an early age to acclimate your pet to the process. Dental chews are helpful but can only do so much.

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 post- operatively. 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 may do it earlier 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) which should pass. If she is eating less, drinking more, or acting sluggish she should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

When should I get the puppies dewclaws removed and their tails docked?

If you decide you wish these procedures done, they need 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 milk replacer is available through veterinarians or pick up at your local pet store. 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?

Heartworms are very common in St. Louis, and it is highly likely that most dogs will be exposed to them. They are spread by mosquitoes so even if your pet never goes outside they can still be exposed by a mosquito that has gained access to your house as you go in and out through your door or through an open window or damaged screen.

How long does my cat, dog, or ferret need to be on prevention?

They should be given their prevention monthly for their entire lives. The St. Louis winters are too variable to determine a true mosquito season. Dr. Goman has personally killed one or more mosquitoes inside the animal hospital every single month of the year. That does not happen every year but in any year we have enough warm weather to allow mosquito activity. They can invade your house just as they occasionally invade Normandy Animal Hospital.

Can I get worms from my pet?

Children who ply outdoors where the animal defecates can get contaminated dirt on their hands and 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 or handling food or drink.

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?

1. Contact animal shelters

The Humane Society: Macklind location- 314 647-8800, Chesterfield location- 636-530-0805 Maryland Heights location- 314-951-1588

Animal Protective Association (APA) at 314-645-4610

Stray Rescue at 314-771-6121

Your local animal control agency. St. Louis County Animal Control: 314-615-0650. Jefferson County: 636-797-5577.

2. Check the papers and Craigslist for ads for found pets and place a lost pet ad.

3. Notify your local police station as some keep notices for lost pets.

4. Check around your neighborhood, ask your neighbors to keep any eye out and hang up notices.  

5. Make sure to call and if possible visit local shelters every few days to see if they have found any pets that may be yours.  

6. To help in this situation try to keep a rabies tag, and an ID tag on all pets. Even better have all pets receive a microchip at your veterinarian. If your pet came from a shelter with a chip be CERTAIN to register the chip with the appropriate tracking service with all current contact information.

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 sacs (often called anal glands) are full and need to be expressed to relieve discomfort. Call our office to have this checked out. Sometimes they are impacted (clogged) or infected and need veterinary intervention to avoid ruptures or cellulitis (spreading infection).

What can I do about my pets breath?

Bad breath is often caused by severe dental disease. They may need to have their teeth 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 as it foams too much and may cause the pet to object to brushing or even vomit .

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 pet's stinky ears?

The odor may be a sign of an ear infection. It is best to make an appointment to have your pet examined. Long term untreated ear infections can cause scarring, hearing loss and rarely much more severe spreading infection through tissue or the bloodstream. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment will result in much less pain and a much better prognosis (outlook) for recovery.

Does my ferret/ bird/ rabbit/ skunk/ pot bellied pig need vaccinations?

At this time, vaccinations are only recommended for ferrets and pot bellied pigs/mini pigs.

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 Rehabilitation Clinic at 636-677-3670 or Wild Bird Rehab. at 314-395-3800. We don't recommend trying to raise it.

Do you take Credit Cards or Checks?

Yes, we accept both. We take the following credit cards: Visa, Discover, American Express, and MasterCard.


Yes. Cats do get heartworms. Mention WEBDEAL 2. One offer per household. This is a limited time offer so call today for details and an appointment.

Office Hours

Monday:

9:00am

6:00pm

Tuesday:

9:00am

6:00pm

Wednesday:

9:00am

6:00pm

Thursday:

9:00am

5:00pm

Friday:

9:00am

5:00pm

Saturday:

9:00am

2:00pm

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

Location

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