DOG/CAT GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q: Can I breed my pet when she goes into heat for the first time?

Q: At what age should I begin trimming my pet’s nails?

Q: How much of my pet’s nails should be trimmed?

Q: At what age should a new pet be brought home?

Q: What should I consider when choosing a male or female pet?

Q: How long will my dog be pregnant before she gives birth?

Q: At what age should my pet be spayed?

Q: Should I wait until my pet’s first heat before having her spayed?

Q: How old should my puppy or kitten be before his first de-worming?

Q: When should a newly acquired kitten or puppy have their first visit to the veterinarian?

Q: How often does a female dog go into heat?

Q: How can I tell if my female pet is going into heat?

Q: What does it mean when my pet drags his rear end along the ground?

Q: What is a dog’s normal temperature?

Q: When do puppies and kittens get baby and permanent teeth?

Q: What is the easiest way to get a urine sample from my pet?

Q: Which vaccinations does my dog need?

Q: How would I know if my pet has an ear infection?

Q: At what age does my pet need to be protected from heartworm?

Q: How can I check my pet for heartworms?

Q: Should I have my new puppy checked for heartworm?

Q: How does a mosquito pick up the heartworm larvae?

Q: What are heartworms?

Q: Is it possible to get hookworm from my pets?

Q: How can I tell if my pet has mange?

Q: Is it true that a cold wet nose means that my pet is healthy?

Q: Is it true that houseplants can be poisonous to pets?

Q: What does it mean if my pet has blood in her stool?

Q: How can I safely remove a tick from my pet?

Q: My pet drinks a lot of water then seems to urinate a lot. Is something wrong with him?

Q: What are the signs that my pet is ready to give birth?

Q: What is the normal time to wait between each delivery?

Q: What should I do for my pet if he is having a convulsion?

Q: Is it safe to give my pet bones from the table?

Q: Should pets be fed milk?

Q: How often does my puppy or kitten need to be fed?

Q: What is the best way to carry a kitten?

Q: At what age should a kitten be taken away from its mother?

Q: Why do cats purr and exactly how do they do that?

Q: Is it normal for a new puppy or kitten to sleep a lot?

Q: Which vaccinations do my cat need?

Q: Is it normal for my cat to vomit hair?

Q: My cat loves fish. Is it healthy to feed only fish?

Q: Does my kitten need to be on a special diet?

Q: Do different breeds of cats have different personalities or is it just in the way I raise it?

Q: What kind of toys are good for my cat to play with?

Q: How can I stop my cat from spraying?

Q: Can I breed my pet when she goes into heat for the first time?
A: No, it is best to breed on the third heat.

Q: At what age should I begin trimming my pet’s nails?
A: Begin trimming your pet’s nails when they are young so it becomes part of a routine and they become used to this type of grooming.

Q: How much of my pet’s nails should be trimmed?
A: When trimming your pet’s nails, trim in front of the place where you see the blood circulating. On black toenails, trim in front of the groove on the underside of the nail.

Q: At what age should a new pet be brought home?
A: The best age to take home a young pet is at 8 weeks of age.

Q: What should I consider when choosing a male or female pet?
A: It doesn’t matter whether you choose a male or female pet as long as you treat your pet properly. Children will have just as much fun with males as females. Some males may be more assertive while females may seem easy to train and less likely to be hyperactive.

Q: How long will my dog be pregnant before she gives birth?
A: The average time of pregnancy in cats and dogs is 61-63 days, which is about 9 weeks.

Q: At what age should my pet be spayed?
A: You should have your pet spayed before the end of his first year of life. It is perfectly safe anytime after 12 weeks of age, and is generally accepted that 90-90% less mammary cancer occurs in females spayed at a young age.

Q: Should I wait until my pet’s first heat before having her spayed?
A: You need not wait for your female pet to have her first heat to be spayed. The ideal age for spaying is around 6 months of age.

Q: How old should my puppy or kitten be before his first de-worming?

A: Your puppy or kitten should be de-wormed at 3 weeks. It is advisable that your pet be tested first to determine what type of worms it has.

Q: When should a newly acquired kitten or puppy have their first visit to the veterinarian?
A: The sooner you visit the veterinarian with your new pet, the better. A doctor will make sure your new pet is healthy and recommend a vaccination schedule to protect your new pet against some of the numerous common diseases. They will discuss feeding, parasite control, neutering, and many other things to help you enjoy your pet for years to come.

Q: How often does a female dog go into heat?
A: A female goes into heat about twice a year. They may skip a heat cycle occasionally, but will seldom have an extra one. The cycle lasts 21 days in dogs. Cats will go into their first heat between 5-8 months. A cat will remain in heat until she is bred. Small breed dogs at about 6 months and medium breed dogs at 8 or 9 months.

Q: How can I tell if my female pet is going into heat?
A: Some physical signs that your female pet is going into hear are a swollen vulva and a light red vaginal discharge. Cats become very affectionate and vocal.

Q: What does it mean when my pet drags his rear end along the ground?
A: When your pet scoots his or her rear end, it is probably a result of an anal gland problem. It is wise for your pet to be examined and checked for worms as well.

Q: What is a dog’s normal temperature?
A: A dog’s normal rectal body temperature is 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q: When do puppies and kittens get baby and permanent teeth?
A: Puppies and kittens get their baby teeth at 8 weeks and fall out gradually. At 6-8 months, the permanent teeth should all be in.

Q: What is the easiest way to get a urine sample from my pet?
A: Getting a urine sample from your pet is not difficult but may take longer than one try. For male dogs, place a wide-mouth jar under him as he lifts his leg. For a female, use a flat pan. For cats, place wide wax paper strips in the litter box or use uncooked popcorn kernels. After the cat has urinated, pour off the urine.

Q: Which vaccinations does my dog need?
A: The vaccinations needed for your dog’s health are: Distemper, Hepatitis, parvovirus, parinfluenza, Bordetella, Rabies, ,Lyme and Corona. Your dog may not need all of these. Dog’s vaccine program is taylored to fit your pets needs.

Q: How would I know if my pet has an ear infection?
A: Ear infections can cause your pet a great deal of pain. The first sign is smell. Look for signs of head shaking, smelly discharge or dark colored ear wax. These are all possible symptoms of an ear problem. If you suspect a problem, please call us for an appointment.

Q: At what age does my pet need to be protected from heartworm?
A: Heartworm has a 6-month cycle and you begin preventative treatment for your pet before 6 months of age. No preventative treatment should ever begin before a blood test is done because it is best to know if your pet already has heartworms so they can be treated.

Q: How can I check my pet for heartworms?
A: The way your veterinarian checks for heartworm is by taking a blood sample from your pet. The test is extremely accurate. The dog needs to go through a summer first before the first test.

Q: Should I have my new puppy checked for heartworm?
A: If your puppy is less than 4 months old, you don’t need to check him for heartworm.

Q: How does a mosquito pick up the heartworm larvae?
A: A mosquito picks up heartworm larvae by drawing blood from an infected dog. When the mosquito bites another dog, is passes on the immature heartworm knows as microfilaria to that pet.

Q: What are heartworms?
A: Heartworms are worm-like parasites that grown to be about 14 inches long and live in the right side of a dog’s heart. The larvae of the parasite are transmitted to dogs through mosquitos. The growth of the heartworms can block the flow of blood to your pet’s heart and eventually cause death. It is important to have your pet tested for this disease if you suspect he may have it.

Q: Is it possible to get hookworm from my pets?
A: Humans usually don’t get intestinal hookworm from their pets. However, the small canine hookworm larvae and penetrate the person’s skin and cause skin sores. Checking your pet for worms periodically and giving monthly preventative reduce spreading of worms.

Q: How can I tell if my pet has mange?
A: To tell if your pet has mange, you will see patchy and loss of hair and a microscopic examination of the skin scraping is required. Because of this, you should bring your pet in for an examination.

Q: Is it true that a cold wet nose means that my pet is healthy?
A: A cold, wet nose is not necessarily a sign that your pet is healthy. The idea is misleading. Animals sweat on their noses and footpads. Your pet may be wet with perspiration. Wet noses may be normal or they can indicate that your pet has a respiratory disorder.

Q: Is it true that houseplants can be poisonous to pets?
A: Houseplants in general can be poisonous to cats. Many common plants are toxic to your cat if she chews or ingests them. These include Jade plants, Philodendron, Easter Lilies, Poinsettia, Iris, Mistletoe, and English Ivy.

Q: What does it mean if my pet has blood in her stool?
A: Blood in a pet’s stool may indicate several things. Perhaps it is a minor irritation in the large intestine that could clear up in a day or there could be something more serious involved. It is a good idea to bring the pet in for an examination to determine the actual cause and appropriate treatment.

Q: How can I safely remove a tick from my pet?
A: If you treat your pet with a flea and tick preventative, it will die and fall off by itself. If you must remove it, place a tissue between your thumb and forefinger and grab the tick as close as possible. Pull the tick out straight and slowly.

Q: My pet drinks a lot of water then seems to urinate a lot. Is something wrong with him?
A: Some pets drink a great deal of water then urinate excessively. The condition that may cause this kind of behavior is fairly complicated. It is best to bring your pet in for an examination.

Q: What are the signs that my pet is ready to give birth?
A: Symptoms of an impending birth are: mothers loss of appetite, restlessness, and nesting. Her body temp will drop to about 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Then it will go back up over 100 degrees. She will deliver within 12 hours after her temp goes back up.

Q: What is the normal time to wait between each delivery?
A: The normal time between each delivery is ½ to 2 hours for the mother to rest. Be aware, however, that the break should not exceed 4 hours.

What should I do for my pet if he is having a convulsion?
A: Sometimes animals will have convulsions that can be quite frightening. Look for signs of muscle twitching, collapse, uncontrollable shivering and thrashing about, uncontrolled urination and defecation. The best medicine is to keep the environment quiet and prevent the animal from hurting itself. When coming out of a seizure or convulsion, sometimes a pet is disoriented and may bark at you or members of your family out of fear. Consult your veterinarian to decide if your pet needs to be on medication to prevent further episodes.

Q: Is it safe to give my pet bones from the table?
A: No, do not give your pet bones from the table. Bones may splinter and cause your pet future health problems.

Q: Should pets be fed milk?
A: People wonder if pets in general need milk. The answer is “no”. Many pets have an intolerance to milk, which can cause diarrhea.

Q: How often does my puppy or kitten need to be fed?
A: Between 6-12 weeks, feed 3 times per day. Between 12 weeks and 6 months feed 2 times per day. From 6 months on feed once daily.

Q: What is the best way to carry a kitten?
A: The best way to cradle a kitten is to cradle it in your hand, against your body. Don’t carry her by the nape of her neck for a long distance.

Q: At what age should a kitten be taken away from its mother?
A: Between 6 and 8 weeks, the kittens should be weaned and ready to go to new homes. She should have her vaccinations at this time.

Q: Why do cats purr and exactly how do they do that?
A: Purring is the way a cat shows affection, contentment and appreciation. The source of purring is believed to be in the animal’s circulatory system rather than in her voice.

Q: Is it normal for a new puppy or kitten to sleep a lot?
A: It is quite normal for new puppies and kittens to sleep a lot. Young pets sleep a great deal, especially after meals.

Q: Which vaccinations do my cat need?
A: The vaccinations needed for your cat’s health are: feline distemper, feline calcifivirus, feline rhinotracheitis, leukemia and rabies. Not all cats will require every vaccine.

Q: Is it normal for my cat to vomit hair?
A: It is normal for a cat to vomit hair. This is called a hairball and is especially common in cats that have long hair. Laxative products may help with this problem. There are also products sold in pet stores that when sprinkled on the food help eliminate this problem. If nothing seems to work, consult your veterinarian.

Q: My cat loves fish. Is it healthy to feed only fish?
A: Cats love fish, but fish alone is not a balanced diet. It lacks Taurine – an essential vitamin for cats.

Q: Does my kitten need to be on a special diet?
A: When buying food for your kitten, look for commercial pet foods that offer special formulas that are made especially for kittens less than one year old. And remember, too much milk can give your kitten diarrhea.

Q: Do different breeds of cats have different personalities or is it just in the way I raise it?
A: Different breeds of cats seem to have different personalities. As a rule, Siamese are more aloof and vocal than others. Persians and Himalayans require more care than shorthaired breeds, but as affectionate as any other cat. Burmese are especially friendly and good with children.

Q: What kind of toys are good for my cat to play with?
A: The best toys to give to your cat are: wooden spools, catnip mice, hard rubber balls and paper balls.

Q: How can I stop my cat from spraying?
A: The causes of spraying by your cat differ with each cat, and so does the treatment. Spaying/neutering will help if he or she is spraying to establish territory. If he is spraying because he is lonely, consider a friend for him. Also try giving the cat more affection. Often something has changed in the cats environment and causes anxiety in the cat and causes territorial spraying.