Q: Does my dog need heartworm prevention year round?
A: Yes. Heartworm disease is very prevalent in East Texas. Mosquitoes are the vector that transmit heartworms from dog to dog. Mosquitoes will be out most of the year in this area.

Q: My dog never goes outside, does he/she need to be on heartworm preventative?
A: Yes. We see many cases of heartworm disease in strictly indoor dogs. The confinement of your home isn't enough to protect against this deadly disease.

Q: What age do you start heartworm prevention?
A: We like to start your dog on heartworm preventative at 2 to 3 months of age.

Q: My dog has been treated repeatedly for ear infection. He still scratches his ears all the time, what is wrong?
A: Allergies are a primary component leading up to an ear infection. Controlling these allergies could be beneficial in reducing the occurrence of ear infections. Also dogs that swim often or get water in the ears from routine bathing need to have ears cleaned regularly to prevent the onset of an active ear infection.

Q: I can see little white worms in my dogs feces, what is it?
A: This is most likely tapeworms. They are not actually whole worms, but segments, the adult worm "sheds" containing packets of eggs. These eggs are picked up by fleas and transmitted to another dog or cat.

Q: I can see little specs of black dirt under my dogs hair, what is that stuff?
A: Flea dirt is flea excrement consisting primarily of dried, digested blood.

Q: My dog takes heartworm preventative every 30 days, why can I still see worms in his stool?
A: Heartworm preventatives only kill the adult stage of intestinal parasites, therefore larvae may continue to mature. Also, these products are not effective against all species of worms. Tapeworms, for example, are not affected by monthly heartworm preventatives.

Q: My pet is scheduled for surgery. What do I need to do to prepare?
A: The night before scheduled surgery, do not give any food or water after 8:00 pm. Also have your pet admitted to the clinic no later than 8:00 am the morning of the surgery. Your pet will be ready to go home around 4:30 pm at the earliest, unless otherwise specified. The clinic will call you if your pet is ready at any earlier time.

Q: At what age does my pet receive his/her first shots?
A: Your pet should receive its first shots at 6 weeks of age.

Q: When is my pet ready to be spayed/neutered?
A: Your pet is ready to be spayed or neutered at 4-6 months of age. Please call the clinic to schedule surgery for your pet.

Q: Why does my pets breath smell bad?
A: Most often, bad breath is caused by dental or periodontal disease. All dogs and cats are prone to dental plaque, tartar, and disease. Your pets may require a dental exam and possible scaling and polishing at least once yearly. Internal problems and complications may also contribute to bad breath. It is recommended to visit with your veterinarian to discover the cause of bad breath and to maintain proper health for your pet.