| 1. |
How much to feed?
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Start out using the suggested amount typically written
on the bag of food. Regardless of what the bag recommends
if your pet is too thin or too fat then an adjustment in the
amount fed may be needed. If your pet is too thin or too fat
you should first have them evaluated by the veterinarian. |
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| 2. |
How long will my dog be in heat? |
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Dogs should come in heat every 6 months,
starting at 6-13 months of age. Dogs are usually in heat for
3 weeks. We recommend not spaying a dog while it is in heat.
Both dogs and cats are likely to have life threatening problems
if allowed to continue to cycle beyond middle age. |
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| 3. |
Does my dog need to have her first heat before being spayed? |
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It is now considered acceptable to have a
pet spayed or neutered before it is 6 months old. We recommend
waiting until 6 months of age because of the anesthesia. Anesthesia
complications are much less common after 6 months of age. When
a dog is spayed before its first heat cycle, the likelihood
of mammary cancer later in life is almost zero. If they come
into heat after one time chances are up to 20%, after 5 cycles
it goes to 80%. As dogs age there cycle becomes very erratic.
They may cycle every year or 2 and stay in for 6 weeks. This
is setting her up for life threatening uterine problems. |
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| 4. |
My dog scoots across the floor why?
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The 3 most common reasons for this activity
are anal gland irritation, tapeworms, or feces stuck to hair
under the tail. The anal gland problems are by far the most
common. Anal glands are similar to the sent glands on a skunk.
A dog should excrete enough of the smelly secretion with each
bowl movement to prevent the build up of secretion and subsequent
irritation. Many dogs, especially small dogs, are not very proficient
at this and require assistance. We can express your pet’s
glands or show you how to do it. Most groomers do this as part
of routine grooming. |
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| 5. |
Can my dog eat table scraps?
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Dogs survived on table scraps for 1000’s
of years before commercial foods were available. Many dogs can
eat table food and do just fine, BUT many dogs don’t.
100’s of years ago table scraps weren’t fried chicken,
pepperoni pizza, or barbeque sauce. Our table scraps have a
much higher fat and spice content today than years ago. Some
dogs can eat table scraps fine for a while, but then their pancreas
has had enough and now they can only hold down a prescription
diet designed for sensitive stomachs. |
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| 6. |
My dog never listens? |
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We recommend two types of training. Group
training is less expensive and is designed to teach the owner
to teach their pet in a group organized fashion. Typically these
would be one night a week for 4 weeks and learn the basic commands
(come, sit, stay). There is also individual training. It is
more expensive and normally takes longer. You drop you pet off
at the trainer and pick them up several weeks later. Your dog
will be trained with a short course for the owner. |
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| 7. |
How long will my cat be in heat? |
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Dogs and cats should come in heat every 6
months, starting at 6 months of age. Cats commonly exhibit behavioral
changes that may last 4-5 days. If not bred , they may recycle
on a weekly basis for a month or more. We routinely spay cats
while they are in heat but on dogs we recommend waiting until
a dog is out of heat before surgery. Both dogs and cats are
likely to have life threatening problems if allowed to continue
to cycle beyond middle age. It is by far best to have your pet
spayed at 6 months of age or as soon as you are no longer intending
to have a litter. |
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| 8. |
Does my cat need to have her first heat before being spayed? |
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It is now considered acceptable to have a
pet spayed or neutered before it is 6 months old. We recommend
waiting until the pet is 6 months old. Anesthesia complications
are much less common after 6 months of age. |
