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1. My dog has diarrhea - what do I do?
2. My cat has been vomiting - what do I do?
3. How can I stop my cat from urinating outside of
his/her litterbox?
4. Do I have to pay my bill today?
5. Do you board animals?
6. Do you offer grooming?
7. At what age can I start vaccinating my pets?
8. I've been told that giving vaccines to my pet may
hurt them, is this correct?
9. Can I give my pet over the counter products for
arthritis pain and/or allergies?
10. Can I give my pet Glucosamine and will it help? |
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1. My dog has diarrhea - what do
I do?
Dogs can have diarrhea for multiple reasons - some as simple as intestinal
worms or parasites, others more severe like Parvovirus. Diarrhea accompanied
by vomiting, lethargy or the presence of blood in the stool should ALWAYS
be examined by a veterinarian. In many cases, withholding food for 24 hours,
then feeding a bland diet of boiled hamburger or chicken and rice for a
few days can help. Over the counter products like Kaopectate can be helpful
in some cases, but ALWAYS speak to your veterinarian before starting any
medication. You should also have a fresh stool sample checked to rule out
intestinal worms and parasites. |
2. My cat has been vomiting - what
do I do?
Always examine the vomit. Pets with bloody or strangely colored vomit should
be seen by a veterinarian. If the vomit consists of large amounts of hair,
your cat may be having difficulty with hairballs. Use of an over-the-counter
hairball remedy can help - follow package directions. Some patients may
show improvement when food is withheld for 24 hours and water withheld for
12 hours, followed by smaller more frequent meals for a few days. If your
pet becomes lethargic, it should see a veterinarian immediately, as dehydration
can become an issue with chronic vomiting. |
3. How can I stop my cat from urinating
outside of his/her litterbox?
The most common cause of inappropriate elimination in cats is a urinary
tract infection. Examination and urinalysis by your veterinarian can diagnose
this problem, which can then by cleared up by a simple course of antibiotics.
Intact felines, especially the un-neutered males, can urinate outside the
box because of a marking behavior. Spaying or neutering may help, but occasionally
behavioral instruction/modification may be needed. Cats can become very
picky when it comes to their bathroom habits. The litter box should be scooped
daily and thoroughly cleaned weekly. Some cats prefer two litter boxes -
one for urine and one for stool. Others may have substrate preferences -
soft, course, etc. You may need to try different types or brands of litter.
Most cats prefer the culpable type of litter. Cats typically do not like
highly fragranced litter. Having a litter box on every floor of the house
can also be beneficial. Occasionally medications are needed to help with
the problem - these would be administered under supervision of a veterinarian. |
4. Do I have to pay my bill today?
Clinic policy is that payment is due at the time service is provided or
products are purchased. We accept cash, check, Visa, Master Card and Discover
Card. We also offer Care Credit - a health services credit card, which can
be applied for here at the clinic. All other payment types available are
at the discretion of the clinic Operations Manager. |
5. Do you board animals?
Yes. We offer boarding for both dogs and cats. You need only bring your
pet - we provide soft blankets to lay on and feed Eukanuba Veterinary Diet
foods. If your pet is on a special diet, it would be best to bring their
own food along in order for their specific nutritional needs to be met. |
6. Do you offer grooming?
We do not offer specific grooming services, but we do offer bathing services.
We can shave pets whose haircoat has a lot of matting which may cause discomfort
and create a need for the pet to be sedated. However, our cuts do not look
as nice as a professional groomer. |
7. At what age can I start vaccinating
my pets?
Puppies and kittens should start getting their vaccines at 8 weeks of age
and typically receive boosters at 12 weeks and 16 weeks. However, if you
have a new pet who hasn't been vaccinated yet or you don't know their vaccine
history, they should start their vaccine series when they become part of
your family. Also, don't forget those pets whose vaccines may be overdue-
we can get them back on schedule too. |
8. I've been told that giving
vaccines to my pet may hurt them, is this correct?
Some pets have mild reactions, soreness at the injection site and grogginess.
A few pets experience some flu-like symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea for
24-48 hours. Rarely, but some pets experience true allergic reactions which
are indicated primarily by swelling of the face. This is similar to a person
with bee-sting allergies. Pets with facial swelling should be seen immediately
by a veterinarian and require an anti-histamine injection. Reactions, such
as those above, can be prevented or managed with medications given prior
to, or at the time of vaccination. It is also very rare for pets to develop
abnormal growths at the vaccine site. Some theories suggest that vaccinations
cause pets to develop certain diseases later in life, but studies have not
yet shown that to be true. It is much more common for a pet to contract
a deadly disease, which they could have been vaccinated for, then for them
to have an adverse as serious vaccine reaction. Discuss any concerns, and/or
prior medical problems your pet has had , with your veterinarian they can
help formulate an appropriate vaccine schedule. |
9. Can I give my pet over the counter
products for arthritis pain and/or allergies?
Your veterinarian should be contacted before starting ANY medication, even
those available over the counter. Arthritic pain can be helped with aspirin.
Do NOT use Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aleve, etc. They can be toxic. Aspirin itself,
when used for prolonged periods can cause ulcers and problems with the liver
and kidneys. The recommended aspirin dose is based upon your pets weight,
and should always be directed by a veterinarian. The use of nutroceuticals
such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate and MSM can also help with arthritis
by providing building blocks for healthy joints. Pet's typically need to
be on these supplements consistently for 4-6 weeks before any improvement
is noticed, and they don't work for all pets. The only over the counter
allergy medication used in animals is Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HC), your
veterinarian can direct you regarding dosage. Other products such as Claritin
and allegro are not routinely used in pets and may cause some adverse side
effects. |
10. Can I give my pet Glucosamine
and will it help?
Glucosamine is a type of product called nutraceutical. It is a nutritional
supplement that, when given consistently, is thought to provide building
blocks for healthy joints. They have been shown to work well in some pets,
and not at all in others. We cannot predict which pet it will work for and
which it will not, The key is that they should be on the supplement consistently
( daily) for 4-6 weeks before you will begin to see any improvement |
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Dr. Sue,
Thank you for arranging your day to speak
to our Sheltie and Collie Clubs. Your presentation was excellent
and much appreciated byo our members and guests.
We hope we may call on Packerland Veterinary
Clinic sometime in the future for up-to-date information.
Mary Lee W. |
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