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What is an emergency?
An emergency exists if your pet:
- Cannot urinate
- Is hit by a car
- Is bleeding
- Has trouble breathing
- Is suddenly very ill
- Is suddenly bloated
- Is convulsing
- Is unconscious
- Has ingested poison
- Is in labor for more than two hours
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What can I do if my dog or cat is bitten by an insect?
If
there is swelling around the face or eyes, a common symptom of an
insect bite, you can give Benadryl at the dose of 1 mg/pound. That
means 1 Benadryl pill for every 25 pounds of body weight. If you have a
cat, it is best to purchase tablets and give one-half tablet. If
symptoms persist, you should consult a veterinarian.
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Can I give my pet aspirin?
Aspirin
or Tylenol is generally safe to give a dog for pain or arthritis at the
dosage of one regular strength aspirin or Tylenol for a 25 pound dog.
NEVER give aspirin or Tylenol to a cat as it can be fatal.
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My dog/cat has been scratching his ears and they have a foul odor. What can I do?
If
your pet has a nasty odor coming from the ears, it generally means
there is an infection brewing. You can clean the ears with a solution
of white vinegar and water mixed half and half. This should give your
pet some comfort until you can get your pet veterinary attention.
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When is it safe to declaw my cat and is it necessary?
Declawing
is best performed at 12 weeks of age. It is necessary if you feel that
your cat is ruining your furniture. Since we use laser surgery to
perform this operation, it is much less painful and there is no
swelling or bleeding. Your cat will be walking well within 24 hours.
Ask us for details!
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When is the ideal time to have my pet neutered?
Neutering
is best performed when your pet is four to six months old. This is true
for both male and female pets. Neutering reduces the chance of breast
and uterine cancer in female pets and prostatic cancer or prostatitis
in male pets.
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What is hip dysplasia?
This
is a hereditary condition which causes malformation of the hip joints.
It can occur on one or both hip joints and will cause arthritis if left
untreated. If your dog has been diagnosed with this disease, he or she
should be neutered so that the disease is not passed on to offspring.
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IIs it necessary to vaccinate my pet against kennel cough if I don't board him?
Bordetella,
or kennel cough, is caused by a virus that is airborne. If your pet
walks with you in public areas or goes to a grooming shop, then a
Bordetella vaccination may prevent him from contracting this disease.
Cats can also get this disease and it is much more serious in felines.
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My cat never goes outside. Should I vaccinate him?
Absolutely!
Distemper is an airborne virus and, if you open your doors, then your
cat can be exposed to this disease. You should ALWAYS vaccinate against
distemper virus for his protection.
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My dog keeps licking his side and it has turned pink and raw. What can I do?
Your
dog has what is called a "hot spot". This is caused by excessive biting
and chewing from a variety of different sources. A common cause can be
fleas. To treat this, first trim the hair away from the area and then
apply a cortisone cream. If the symptoms don't subside after 24 hours,
consult your veterinarian.
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