Common questions & their answers

Supporting documents

• Common questions & their answers
• Low stress vet clinic visit doc

Common Questions

Q) How old does my puppy have to be to get it's vaccinations?

A) Puppies & kittens both need to be vaccinated at 6-8 weeks of age, they then receive another vaccination at 10-12 weeks of age (1 month after the first). They then need to be vaccinated yearly.

Q) Can I get my cat desexed if she is on heat?

A) Yes. Dogs & cats can still be desexed if on heat or pregnant. However you will have to pay a surcharge, as it does make the surgery more difficult.

 Q) I have forgotten to give my dog heartworm prevention for 6months, is it still ok to give it to them now?

A) No. It's probably best you visit your vet for a heartworm test, particularly if it is an adult dog. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquito and causes spaghetti like worms to infest and constrict the heart. If heartworm treatment is given and the dog is positive for heartworm, the result could make your dog very sick and in the worst case causing death. A heartworm test is a quick blood test that will give a positive or negative result within minutes. If the result is negative you can continue with heartworm prevention and continue with regular treatments.

Q) I'm thinking of breeding my dog, what should I consider?

A) This is a question we are often asked and we like to tell people to seriously consider every possible option before going ahead with breeding your dog. For example-

• Have you considered the costs involved for vaccinating, worming and microchipping a litter of puppies? (Microchipping is now compulsory for both kittens & puppies).
• Could you cover the cost of an emergency caesarean if your dog had complications? (approx $1000).
• Do you have the time to dedicate to a litter of puppies for 6-8 weeks before they are sold? (ie feeding, cleaning up after them & monitoring their health)
• Can you commit to 2-4hourly feeds if the mother doesn't feed the puppies herself? (this quite often happens to dogs who have large litters)

These are all things to consider before breeding your dog. It is best to talk to your vet in regards to all the details before committing to breeding your dog.

Q) I have an outdoor cat, what vaccinations should she get?

A) All cats should at least receive the basic vaccination called an F3. The F3 covers Rhinotracheitis (or more commonly known as Cat Flu), Calcivirus & Enteritis. Outdoor cats should also receive the FIV (Feline AIDS) vaccination. FIV is transmitted between cats from biting and scratching which often happens when outdoor cats fight. Unfortunately there are a lot of cats infected with the virus and there is no treatment or cure as yet.

Q) I've just been told my cat is FIV positive what does that mean?

A) Unfortunately your cat has contracted FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). This is the infectious virus that causes Feline AIDS. While some infected cats show no sign of disease, others may display initial symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, symptoms may occur such as weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat and chronic infections. Eventually, the immune system becomes too weak to fight off other infections and diseases. As a result, the cat may due from on these subsequent infections.

Q) What age can I get my cat or dog desexed?

A) We recommend that you get your dog or cat desexed at around 6 months of age.

Q) Should I be feeding my dog a special diet?

A) All dogs and cats should be fed a good quality pet food that is specifically for their life stage. ie.

• Puppies & kittens should be fed a good quality puppy/kitten food up until 1yr old as it is important for their growth and development.
• Adult dogs & cats required adult food either wet or dry up until 7yrs of age.
• Senior dogs & cats 7yrs+ should be fed food specifically designed for senior or mature animals as they aid in the changing of their body and increases their longevity.

Q) I'm confused about all the different worms & what prevention I should be giving my dog, could you explain?

A) Worming can be a little confusing as there are so many products on the market that do different things.

Here's a bit of a breakdown on the different types of worms-

• Intestinal worms include hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm & roundworm. These are often picked up from the faeces of animals.
• Heartworm is a spaghetti like worm that gets into the blood stream via mosquito bite. The worms can infest & constrict the chambers of the heart and quite often will end in fatality.
• Ringworm is not actually a worm it is a fungal infection. It often presents on the skin as a red scaly legion in a circular shape. It can be passed from humans to dogs/cats and vice versa via direct contact.

Treating for worms-

Intestinal Worms- All adult dogs & cats should be treated to intestinal worms. The most common product is a 3 monthly tablet, however there are other options such as 'spot on' liquids that can combine other treatments as well.

Heartworm- can be treated via a monthly tablet or by a yearly injection for dogs. Cats are less likely to get heartworm but should still be treated with a monthly tablet.

Ringworm- often needs to be treated with medicated shampoo, topical creams & tablets. So it is best to make an appointment to see the vet if you suspect your pet has ringworm.

The only exception for intestinal worming is for puppies & kittens who need to be wormed more often than adults. They should be wormed every 2 weeks until 12weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months of age and then to the adult dose of 3monthly worming.

Q) Is there anything that I shouldn't  feed my pet?

A) Some humans foods can be toxic to your pet or cause vomiting & diarrhoea.

• Cows milk (causes diarrhoea as dogs & cats aren't able to digest lactose)
• Sultanas
• Chocolate
• Onion
• Garlic
• Avocado (for birds)
• Tobacco
• Asparagus
• Macadamia Nuts

Q) How often do cats go on heat?

A) The breeding season for cats is almost year round. Heat cycles in cats last from several days to two weeks or longer, and repeat every two to three weeks. So female cats can be receptive to mating just about any time. The heat cycles can start as early as 4 months of age and will continue until they are desexed.

Q) How long will my dog be on heat for?

A) Dogs are a lot like humans in the fact that they can cycle differently to others. Some large dogs may only come into heat once a year whereas smaller breeds may come into heat 2-3 times a year. Dogs can be a week coming 'onto heat', a week actually on heat and another week coming 'off heat'. Your dog could be susceptible to becoming pregnant during any of this time.

Q) Can I give my dog/cat panadol?

A) NO! Do not ever give your dog or cat Panadol (Paracetamol) as it is highly toxic to cats and dogs. Panadol can cause a change in the oxygen carrying ability of the red blood cells and causes a blue colour to the gums, a swollen face and your pet may start breathing heavily, trying to get more oxygen into their body. Unfortunately some animals can die at this stage even with emergency veterinary treatment. Panadol can also cause severe liver damage. If your animal happens to eat any Panadol by accident, get them to the nearest veterinary clinic ASAP.

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact Alma Street Veterinary Hospital on 49228138