The following is a list of common pet questions that will assist you in giving your pet the best possible care. 

We have provided the information in this section of our website for educational purposes only. Although we make a conscientious effort to provide high quality, accurate information, this information should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of veterinarian.

Yes. Most facilities evaluate the fecal sample microscopically checking for eggs and larvae of worms, as well as unicellular parasites that can cause disease for your pet and your family. Remember, a normal looking stool sample can contain parasites often not visible to the naked eye. Always try to submit as fresh a sample as possible; same day is generally best.

How often should I vaccinate my pet?

The frequency of vaccination, and the vaccines your pet may need depends on its age and lifestyle. Lifestyle affects exposure risk, thus is important in determining what is needed to protect your pet. Always have a thorough discussion on this subject matter with a veterinarian before vaccinating your pet.

Will my pet be sick after receiving vaccinations?

Vaccines are modified forms of viruses. Because they have been altered, they are not expected to cause the disease with which they are associated. Most patients will experience some lethargy for the following day. Very rarely do we expect symptoms such as fever or lack of appetite. More rarely do we see allergic reactions such as hives, vomiting and diarrhea, or collapse. If you see any evidence of abnormality, always contact a veterinarian. Remember, these adverse reactions are generally rare, while the diseases occur commonly in unvaccinated pets.

Does my pet need flea/tick control?

Fleas and ticks are quite prevalent in the Southern California region. It is a rare household that is devoid of these critters. Because of our warm temperatures, flea control is usually recommended year-round.

Why are fleas/ticks bad for my pet?

The flea and tick bite can cause skin disease, in addition to transmitting other infections such as tapeworms, the bacteria that causes cat scratch fever, Lyme, and Ehrlichia.

Program^TM – administered as an injection or taken orally as a pill once a month. The flea ingests this medication when it bites the pet. It renders the female flea "sterile," thus preventing flea population growth. Because the fleas do not die, skin disease caused by the fleabite is still seen in some pets.

Frontline^TM and Advantage^TM – These are topical applications of insecticide that are applied once monthly. Fleas are killed upon contact with the treated pet within a few hours. These products have demonstrated excellent flea and tick control, and thereby prevention of allergic skin disease and tapeworm infections.

Ticks:

Preventic^TM Collar – This collar is treated with Amitraz, an insecticide effective against ticks. Unlike other flea and tick collars, this product has demonstrated good control of tick infestation. Be sure to discuss the use of other drugs or medicated shampoos and dips with your veterinarian while using this product.

Does my pet need to take heartworm medication?

Heartworm is a blood parasite transmitted by the mosquito. It is not a common problem in Southern California. Preventive medication taken as a once a month pill is available to prevent infection. This preventive is recommended primarily for dogs that travel out of the area, including the mountain resorts, Northern California, and other states. Check with your veterinarian if you have travel plans for your pet.

My female cat is screaming as if in pain, but is normal otherwise. Why?

If your female cat is young and intact (not spayed), she is likely in heat.

Should I spay/neuter my pet? At what age should the surgery be performed?

We recommend spaying and neutering cats and dogs not seriously considered for breeding. Statistics have shown the risk for breast cancer is decreased by greater than 99% if the dog is spayed before her first heat cycle, and about 50% if done so after her first, but before her second, heat cycle. Without her ovaries and uterus, we also see no risk for ovarian and uterine cancer and infection. The un-neutered male dog is at risk for testicular cancer, prostate disease (cyst, abscess), perianal tumor, and perineal hernia. He is also likely to be more territorial; this behavior is often demonstrated by urine marking and aggression toward other dogs.

During the breeding season, the female cat will come into heat multiple times and is likely to escape out and breed. She can become pregnant and give birth as young as 6-7 months of age. She is also at risk for ovarian, uterine, and mammary disease. The un-neutered male cat is inclined to show territoriality with urine marking (very potent odor), and aggression; demonstrated by fighting with other cats. Fighting, incidentally, increases the cat’s potential to contract infectious diseases, including FIV (feline AIDS).

We also recommend spaying and neutering your exotic pets, including the rabbit. A common disease in the female rabbit is uterine cancer.

So, what is the best time to spay or neuter your pet? The younger the pet, the less complicated the surgery, and the quicker the healing time. There has been no evidence of increased anesthetic risk in the early spay and neuter of puppies and kittens. However, we recommend puppies and kittens receive their full set of vaccines, and weigh at least two pounds before undergoing surgery.

How often should I clip my pet’s nails?

Frequency of nail clipping depends on the individual pet. In fact, some dogs never need nail clipping, as they keep their nails worn down by walking and running. We have noticed nail clipping is required more frequently in the geriatric pet.

How often does my dog’s anal glands need to be expressed?

Again, this depends on whether or not he/she needs help releasing the anal gland material. The glands can fill up as quickly as 1-2 weeks. If you see scooting and/or licking of the rear on a regular basis, this is a good reason to have the glands checked.

How often should I clean my pet’s teeth?

The onset and severity of dental disease will depend on the individual pet’s genetic makeup. Of course, daily brushing of your pet’s teeth will delay the degree of tartar formation, development of gingivitis, and tooth loss. Regular dental exams are important to assess the condition of your pet’s teeth. Recommendations can be made for cleaning or other dental procedures, including treatment for infections. Remember, an infected mouth can lead to disease in other organ systems, including the heart and kidneys.

How often should I clip the wings and nails, and trim the beak on my bird?

Like other species of animals, the need for grooming depends on the rate of growth. Some birds need nail and beak trims more frequently than others. Ask you veterinarian or an experienced avian groomer for recommended intervals between grooming for your bird. Birds molt (lose and grow new feathers) at various times of the year. Recently clipped feathers may molt and a new feather may replace them in a matter of weeks. Therefore, check your bird’s wings more frequently during and after molting.

Will my bird lay eggs without a mate?

Female birds and reptiles will ovulate, as a woman during her estrus cycle. However, they will actually form an egg with yolk and shell, as well. This occurs even in the absence of fertilization (i.e. no male needed). Most of the eggs we buy from the market are not fertilized. If you see an egg or two in the cage of a bird without a mate, two things are true. You have a female bird and the egg will not hatch.

Why does my cat go to the bathroom outside of the litter box?

This is a situation that should be carefully assessed. It can be caused by either a behavioral problem or a physical/medical problem. Cats that urinate outside the box (in the sink, on the bed or floor, etc.), may be exhibiting urinary disease. We recommend having the pet checked for stones, infection, or inflammation of the urinary system before assuming the pet is "acting out."

Some cats do not like to void in a dirty box. This is the same as a person preferring to use a clean toilet versus a port-a-potty. Make it a habit to clean the litter box at least once, if not twice, a day. Also, change the litter completely, and wash the tray once a week.

In other instances, inappropriate urination may result from territoriality. A cat feeling the need to designate its space may urinate on a horizontal (floor) or vertical (wall) space. In other situations, cats will urinate outside the box secondary to anxiety. This may result from adding a new member (cat, dog, or person) to the family. Such problems require removing the source of upset for the pet; however, it’s often difficult or impossible to identify the source of the problem and/or remove it. Use of a synthetic hormone diffuser (Feliway^TM ) or behavior modification drugs have proven to be beneficial in some of these circumstances.

How much should I feed my pet? Should I leave food out all the time?

The quantity of food offered depends on the metabolic need of the individual pet. Too little intake will lead to an underweight condition, and too much will cause obesity. The quantity fed is determined by the ideal body condition one wishes to achieve factoring the activity level of the individual. A veterinarian should evaluate your pet to determine a healthy weight. Then, calculate a quantity to be fed to achieve and maintain the goal weight. We recommend most adult pets be fed twice daily. This will help prevent the high and low swings in blood sugar and hunger levels, and decrease risks for bloat in large breed dogs. (Remember to calculate treats and other snacks and table scraps into the quantity to be fed – they count toward the total calories!). Lastly, we do not advocate free-feeding pets for two major reasons. First, the pet owner often becomes less sensitive to changes in the pet’s appetite, and illnesses may go undetected; and secondly, this approach often leads to obesity.

Why does my dog eat feces?

Coprophagia is the fancy word for ingestion of feces. While unpleasant aesthetically, it is rarely harmful. This behavior has been associated with food deficiency, certain metabolic or digestive diseases, parasitic disease, and neurologic imbalance.

Dogs that are partial to horse feces, may be exhibiting a need for digested vegetable matter and vitamin B (a by-product of gut fermentation in these vegetarians). Wild canines, such as wolves will attain this in their prey, as they ingest everything, including the gut and its contents.

In young puppies, this may be linked to an evolutionary advantage in establishing a microflora (normal bacterial colony in the intestinal tract). This may also represent normal behavior in a puppy exploring its environment.

Normal female dogs with a litter will lick and ingest feces of her pups to keep them clean, and to reduce any scent predators may pick up.

As for dogs that just enjoy their own or other dogs’ feces, there may be no other reason besides some pleasure unknown to the rest of us. For these pets, try keeping them away from the feces. Clean up after pets immediately, or keep a muzzle on the problem pet on walks. Meat tenderizer and ForBid^TM can be added to the pet’s food to alter the taste of the feces. This may or may not be effective for your pet.

Lastly, consider seeing a behavioralist to help establish some taste-aversion techniques if you are experiencing serious problems.

Why does my dog eat grass?

Wild canines will ingest the digested vegetable matter in the gut of their vegetable eating prey that contain certain fatty acids and vitamin B. Dogs may instinctively crave vegetable matter lacking in their food for this reason. This is usually harmless, although grass may be irritating to some dogs and can induce vomiting. In addition, some dogs may associate grass eating with vomiting, and learn to seek it out when they are not feeling well.

Why does my dog twitch, paddle its feet/legs, and/or whimper in its sleep?

If your pet is otherwise normal, and this happens with his/her eyes twitching, your pet is probably dreaming.

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