Frequently Asked Questions
Whether your pet is preparing for surgery, suffering from allergies, or ready to be spayed or neutered, our team is here to help. Below are some of the most common questions we receive from pet parents.
Preventative Care FAQs
How many vaccines does my puppy or kitten need to be protected?
It depends on the age of the puppy or kitten. Puppies and kittens need to receive several vaccines every three weeks to boost their immune system. The younger the pet the more vaccines needed. If they aren’t appropriately vaccinated, they become at risk for certain diseases and illnesses. Give us a call to make an appointment for your puppy or kitten to get them started with the appropriate health care.
I am not seeing any fleas or ticks; do I need to continue with prevention?
Yes, medications that are applied monthly are to prevent fleas and ticks. If you are not seeing them the prevention is doing its job. Fleas and ticks can cause several diseases in both pets and people. It is strongly recommended to continue with prevention as directed.
Do I need to continue with heartworm medication, flea, and tick medication in the winter months?
Yes, because we do not have cold enough winters in our area, parasites are abundant. No matter the weather here in our area, we continue to have flea, tick, and heartworm issues in our pets. Call us today to get your pet examined and tested to get back on track with their preventatives.
Does my pet need vaccines every year?
Depending on the age of your pet as well as their vaccine history, some vaccines will provide immune coverage for 2 and 3 years. Cashua Veterinary Care utilizes a vaccine protocol that decreases the number of inoculations given each year based on the longevity of the vaccine. If your pet has been appropriately vaccinated over the years and you have questions about their vaccine protocol, please give us a call for an appointment.
How often should my pet receive dental cleanings?
Dental cleanings are recommended in some breeds as early as 1 year of age. Upon examination, our veterinarian will check your pet’s teeth for plaque, tartar, and gingivitis. If tartar is seen or gingivitis, the veterinarian will recommend that your pet have a dental cleaning. Pets should have their teeth cleaned before gingivitis is seen. As soon as tartar has developed on your pet’s teeth, routine dental cleanings are recommended. This stage of dental disease is the best stage to clean, as the patient usually doesn’t have any extractions. To prevent mouth pain, odors, abscesses, or extractions, have your pet’s teeth cleaned as soon as it is recommended by your veterinarian.
How do I choose the best pet food for my pet?
Choosing the right food for your pet is very important. Depending on your pet’s weight history and health, it may dictate what type of food we recommend. For healthy patients, we can provide a list of recommended dog food to keep your pet healthy. We recommend diets that have been AAFCO tested and approved, which can be found on the side of the food bag. We also recommend following the feeding guide to make sure that your pet is receiving the correct amount of food per day. If you have any questions at all about what you are feeding your pet(s), please do not hesitate to text or call us.
Should I feed a grain free diet to prevent allergies?
No, we do not recommend grain-free diets. Most of our pets who have a food allergy are allergic to a protein source like chicken or beef. If we suspect a pet is having food allergies, we recommend testing, a diet trial, or a referral to a dermatologist, depending on the severity. Some of the grain-free diets are lacking certain nutrients for our pets, leading to cardiac issues. For this reason, we strongly recommend regular diets that do not have “grain-free” on the bag.
How often is blood work needed for my pet?
Blood work is completed before a surgical event, as well as recommended yearly once the pet reaches 3 years of age. Dogs and cats have a shorter life span than humans and age more quickly. Because of their aging process, blood work is recommended to help find changes that can lead to diseases or medical issues. Completing blood work can help veterinarians create a baseline for monitoring the health of your pet. Testing can also show the start of certain disease processes, or even infections that wouldn’t be detected by completing a physical exam. Blood work is not only completed when your pet is ill, but is also a useful preventative tool. Veterinarians can detect illnesses early when sending out lab work yearly, keeping your pet healthy for as long as possible.
How often should I bathe my dog?
Bathing your dog should be completed once every 2-3 weeks to prevent drying out the hair coat. Choose an oatmeal-based shampoo with no added harsh chemicals or a shampoo recommended by your veterinarian. Remember to avoid your pet’s eyes when shampooing and rinse all of the shampoo off to prevent itchy, flaky skin.
Spay & Neuter FAQs
My pet is not established with your clinic. What do I need to do to get my pet spayed or neutered at Cashua Veterinary Care?
We will need to get your pet established by setting an appointment for an examination. Bring all records for your pet or provide us with a phone number for a previous veterinary office. If any vaccinations are needed based on records, we are happy to update them at your first visit. However, if you do not wish to update all vaccinations, we require an updated rabies vaccine before surgery. We also require blood work to make sure your pet is prepared to be sedated and healthy for surgery. Call today to set your first appointment to get your pet established with our facility.
Does my pet need to have lab work before surgery?
Yes, blood work is not optional. Blood work allows us to reduce complications during a surgical procedure. We can discover underlying issues that we wouldn’t have known unless lab work was completed. When blood work is completed, it doesn’t expire for 6 months, and as long as the surgery is scheduled for that 6-month window, you will not have to repeat it.
Will you call me after the surgery or should I call?
The surgery technician will call once surgery has been completed and your pet is up and recovering. We will also provide you with a pick-up time for the surgeon to go over home care instructions and medication.
Can I stay with my pet during the procedure?
No. We do not allow anyone to stay with a patient once we are back in the treatment area, preparing for surgery. It can be more stressful for the pet as well as the owner to be present.
How much does a spay or neuter cost?
Please give us a call at the office, and we will provide any costs associated with preparing your pet for the surgery, as well as the cost for the surgery. In addition to the surgery, our prices include pain medications, anti-nausea medications, e-collars to prevent licking, blood work, microchipping, and laser therapy to help promote healing after surgery.
Can I spay my dog during her heat cycle?
Yes, we will perform a spay during a heat cycle; however, please note that an additional charge applies to the surgery. We recommend spaying before the onset of a heat cycle or waiting until the heat cycle is complete. Completing the surgery during a heat cycle can be a more complicated surgery.
What age should I spay or neuter?
We recommend 4 months of age for spaying and neutering kitties, as long as they are healthy. We recommend spaying and neutering dogs 6 months and up, depending on breed and size.
Will my pet have stitches?
All sutures will be buried beneath the skin. No suture will need to be removed, and no products will need to be placed on the incision site.
Appointment Expectations FAQs
Do I need an appointment or do you see walk-ins?
We work by appointment only. If your pet is having a medical emergency and needs to be seen, please call to let us know what is going on, and we will provide instructions for how to proceed.
Does my dog need a leash to come inside the building?
Yes, all dogs must be on a leash or in a crate.
Does my cat need to be in a crate?
Yes, all cats should be on a leash or in a crate before entering the clinic.
How long does an appointment take?
Appointment times vary depending on the reason for your visit. If you are visiting for a routine appointment for vaccines or an exam with no issues, plan for a 30-minute visit.
Do you have a payment plan?
No, payments in full are required upon completion of services. We can provide you with an estimate and discuss options and recommendations that work best with your budget.
My pet is not a happy pet at the vet, what happens if you cannot examine?
If we are unable to complete the services needed, we have other options available. Depending on the severity of your pet’s behavior, we will reschedule your appointment and send home medications to use prior to your visit. If oral medications do not help, we can discuss complete sedation with the option to reverse the sedation effects when tasks are completed.
Will everything be completed in the exam room?
Depending on the services required for the patient’s appointment, we may complete some or all services in the treatment area. If the patient appears to do better with the owner, we will complete as much in the exam room as possible. In some cases, the patient is better off away from the owner, and in this case, we will complete everything in treatment.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash and all major credit cards are accepted. Please note that all credit and debit card transactions will receive a 3% service charge.
Are exams required if my pet is having the same issue or can I get medications refilled?
Yes, examinations are required. In order for veterinarians to prescribe medications, there has to be a doctor-patient relationship. This means the pet must be seen for routine examinations as well as examinations for problems that need a diagnosis. If the doctor adds refills to your existing medication and the pet is current with an exam, the medication can be filled without seeing the doctor again. If you are unsure if your pet’s medication qualifies for a refill, please give us a call, and we will be glad to help answer any questions you may have.