Frequently Asked Questions
Please be aware that the answers given here are general in nature and should not be taken as the Veterinarian's diagnosis or direct advice. If you have any concerns involving your dog, please note that you should contact the clinic to schedule an appointment with your Veterinarian and/or speak to one of the Veterinary Technicians regarding the concern.
What should be brought in with the dog on his/her first visit?
Why is preoperative blood-work and IV catheterization recommended for surgery?
Who do I contact for injured or dangerous wildlife in my area?
Why is pain management recommended after surgical procedures?
Q: What age should my kitten/puppy begin vaccinations?
A: 6-8 weeks of age
Q: What age should my kitten/puppy be spayed or neuter?
A: 4-6 months of age
Q: What if my dog has worms in stool or vomit?
A: If the dog has been seen here before, bring a stool sample in to have checked and we can dispense medication. If the dog has not been seen here before, please call to make an appointment for an exam.
Q: What should be brought in with the dog on his/her first visit?
A: Any previous medical history records
Q: How long between puppy/kitten vaccine boosters?
A: 3-4 weeks
Q: Does the clinic take walk-in appointments?
A: No - please schedule your appointment in advance either by phone or via the Internet. For emergencies during office hours, please call before coming to the hospital.
Q: Does the hospital provide emergency service?
A: Yes - during or after office hours, please call 304-594-1124. After hours, our emergency answering service will retrieve your call and will page the veterinarian directly or direct you to the emergency clinic located off of the Prickett's Fort Exit.
Q: What are the instructions for an animal prior to surgery?
A: No food after 10:00pm the night before the surgery. No water the morning of the surgery. Drop off on the day of surgery is from 7:30am-9:00am. If you need to drop off the night before, please contact the clinic for special drop-off hours. See the Informational Letter under Online Appointments for more instructions.
Q: Why is preoperative blood-work, IV catheterization, and monitoring recommended for surgery?
A: Preoperative blood-work gives the doctor an accurate reading of the dog's health before placing him/her under anesthesia. It allows us to determine whether or not the dog will be able to process the anesthesia properly. The IV catheter and monitoring are both extra safety precautions that are offered to pets undergoing anesthesia. Descriptions are listed under "Online Appts" and "Informational Letter" on this website.
Q: Why should I vaccinate my dog?
A: Rabies vaccinations are required by law in West Virginia for any dog over the age of 6 months. The first rabies vaccine given is good for one year. Every one given after that is good for two years.
All other vaccinations are yearly and their benefits can be explained more clearly by one of our technicians or doctors. It can then be decided what vaccines are appropriate for your dog.
Q: Why are heartworm tests performed yearly?
A: Whether or not your dog is on year-round heartworm prevention, our veterinarians recommend testing for heartworms every year. This is due to reasons of chance, such as the possibility of your dog not swallowing one of his/her doses, any doses that may have been missed, and also the very minimal chance that the heartworm prevention has not been 100% effective in your dog. The heartworm test we now carry also tests for Ehrlichia and Lyme disease, both transferred by ticks.
Q: Why should I spay or neuter my dog?
A: There is a very serious problem in our state (and country-wide) of dog over-population. Spaying/neutering your dog is a way to keep this population to a minimum. Having your dog spayed/neutered at an early age can also help prevent future complications and/or illnesses including testicular or ovarian cancer, uterine infections, or prostate problems.
Q: What products are available to treat fleas?
A: Our clinic carries several products for the treatment of fleas. We have Advantage and Frontline Top Spot which are both topical flea treatments and are sold over-the-counter by the weight of the dog. Frontline Top Spot also kills ticks. We also carry a home-area treatment for fleas called "Knockout".
Q: How do I get refills on medications?
A: Please call the clinic prior to coming in for a prescription refill. This way our staff can have it ready for you, and any questions on dose changes or quantities can be discussed. If you are not an established client with our clinic and need medication refills, please call and talk with one of our technicians. Due to state regulations, there are many medications that cannot be dispensed by our clinic unless there is an established doctor/patient relationship.
Q: Who do I contact for injured or dangerous wildlife in my area?
A: Please contact your local sheriff's station and speak with someone from the Animal Control department. In Monongalia County, call 304-284-7405. They will be able to deal with the animal appropriately. According to WV law, our clinic cannot treat any wild animal that does not have appropriate ownership paperwork.
Q: Why is pain management recommended after surgical procedures?
A: Pain management for animals is a newer development in the veterinary field. Studies have shown that by helping your pet avoid pain you may be able to speed the recovery process. Best of all, because it reduces stress and increases a sense of well being, pain management may even help your furry friend live longer.
It is very important that you not try to medicate your pet yourself. Certain painkillers, including acetaminophen (found in Tylenol), or combinations of medications can be toxic to pets in very small doses. Do not give your pet any medication without consulting your veterinarian.