Pet care questions, answered plainly
The things clients ask at the front desk. If your question is not here, call us. That is what we are for.
How often should my dog or cat see the vet?
Once a year for healthy adults, twice a year for pets over seven, and every three to four weeks for puppies and kittens until their vaccine series is done.
Do indoor cats need vaccines and heartworm prevention?
Yes. Rabies is required by Tennessee law, and mosquitoes and fleas come indoors. Indoor cats get heartworm and there is no treatment for it in cats.
My pet is vomiting. Do I need to come in?
One vomit in an otherwise bright pet can usually wait until morning. Repeated vomiting, vomiting with lethargy, blood, or a hard swollen belly needs to be seen today, or at an emergency hospital tonight.
What human foods are dangerous?
Chocolate, xylitol (in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters), grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, alcohol, and macadamia nuts. Cooked bones can splinter. When in doubt, call us or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
How do I know if my pet is in pain?
Pets hide pain. Watch for slower rising, hesitation on stairs, licking one spot, hiding, changes in appetite, or a cat that stops jumping onto furniture. Any of these warrant an exam.
What should I do if I find a tick?
Grasp it close to the skin with tweezers and pull straight out. Save it in a bag in case your pet gets sick. If your pet is not on tick prevention, this is the time to start.
How much water should my pet drink?
Roughly one ounce per pound of body weight per day. A sudden increase in drinking is one of the earliest signs of kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid problems, so mention it at your visit.
Can I give my pet human pain medication?
No. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen are toxic to dogs and cats even at small doses. Call us and we will prescribe something safe.
When should I spay or neuter?
Around six months for cats and small dogs. For large-breed dogs we often recommend twelve to eighteen months for joint health. Ask the doctor about your pet's breed.
Why does a dental cost more than my own cleaning?
A pet dental is done under anesthesia with bloodwork, IV fluids, monitoring, dental X-rays, and scaling below the gumline. It is a surgical procedure, and it is where most pet dental disease actually lives.
From the blog
Heartworm season in Middle Tennessee runs all year
Why Nashville pets need heartworm prevention twelve months a year, what the test involves, and what treatment costs if you skip it.
Read →What a dental cleaning actually involves
A step-by-step look at your pet's day when they come in for a dental, from bloodwork to going home.
Read →