FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• How safe is my pet’s procedure?

  Each procedure is different for each animal, and some are more complicated than others. For example, a routine spay or neuter at Village Veterinary Hospital is generally performed on younger animals and is generally an extremely safe surgery. A more complicated procedure on an older dog or cat is naturally going to have more risk involved. No matter the level of surgery, we recommend preanesthetic bloodwork to help ensure there are no unknown conditions prior to surgery. Once the procedure begins, our surgical monitoring equipment helps us maintain your pet’s heart rate and blood pressure. Upon completion, your dog or cat will be monitored by our staff to ensure they recover as quickly as possible.

• Does my pet truly need a dental procedure?

  Periodontal disease (disease of the structures around the tooth--the gums, bone, and connective tissue) is one of the most common problems that we deal with on a daily basis at Village Veterinary Hospital. Periodontal infections, tooth fractures, and oral masses can be sources of serious discomfort for your pet and can cause your pet to lose teeth prematurely. Additionally, untreated periodontal infections can cause damage to major organs of the body including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Proper veterinary dental care can help prevent your pet from developing painful dental conditions, avoid loss of teeth, and can extend their life expectancy as well.

• How important is nutrition for my pet?

  Similar to human food intake, a diet that is low in fat and high in protein is essential to the life of your pet. Pets, like people, are unique and individual; they have different needs based on their size, breed, age, and health issues. But no matter what their individual needs are, it is important that pets maintain a healthy weight, eat a nutritious diet, and receive adequate exercise to promote living longer with fewer health issues.

  When pets are overweight, it creates a tendency towards diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, and other chronic health conditions. Using our nutritional counseling services at Village Veterinary Hospital will help simplify just what your pet should be eating and how much.

• How long should I wait to bring my pet in if I notice a change in their behavior?

  If you notice your pet acting strangely, including loss of appetite or energy, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible for an examination by one of our doctors. Pets have an instinctive tendency to hide pain and illness so that they do not show any weaknesses that might attract predators. As pet owners, by the time we notice a change in behavior, the animal may have been suffering for several days already.

• At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

  At Village Veterinary Hospital, we recommend spaying or neutering all pets that you do not plan to use for breeding purposes. We recommend dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered at approximately 4-6 months of age. Spaying and neutering not only prevents unwanted kitten and puppy litters but have long-term benefits as well. Spaying female dogs and cats helps prevent infections of the uterus and can help prevent breast cancer as well. Neutering your male dog or cat will prevent testicular cancer. Finally, a spayed and neutered pet is generally better behaved and is less likely to roam away from your home. Call one of our caregivers at Village Veterinary Hospital to schedule your pet’s spay or neuter today!

• What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?

  Heartworms are a serious life-threatening, parasitic threat to both indoor and outdoor pets. Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworms are extremely common in a warm, moisture rich environment.

  Heartworm larvae are carried to healthy animals by mosquitoes that have previously bitten infected animals. Unless your pet is taking a heartworm preventative, the microfilaria, larvae of the parasites, will mature into adult worms. Adult heartworms can cause serious damage to the animal’s blood vessels, lungs, and heart, and may ultimately cause death.

  The best course of action is to have your pets tested regularly for the presence of heartworms and kept on a heartworm preventative regimen for the rest of their lives. Having your pet on a monthly preventative treatment is much less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. There are several options available for the prevention of this potentially life-threatening disease. Our doctor will determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on their needs and lifestyle.