Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect on the day of my pet's surgery?

Pets that are scheduled for a surgical or other anesthetic procedure should first of all be fasted for at least 12 hours.  In other words, we ask that you take away any food or water from your pet after 9:00 p.m. the night before and again withhold food and water the morning of the procedure.  They need to have an empty stomach before they undergo anesthesia.

On the day of your pet's procedure, we ask that you arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. so that we have plenty of time to prepare your pet and begin before noon.  When you bring your pet in you will be greeted by one of our staff members who will then read over our surgical and anesthesia consent form with you (you may view this paperwork beforehand by following the "Forms" link, but you do not need to print out and complete anything before your visit).

We typically begin our surgeries at 10:00 a.m. each day and finish by lunchtime.  A staff member will call you when your pet's procedure is completed and tell you how everything went.  A majority of the time, your pet may be released as early as 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. that same day.  If you are a cat owner, though, please be aware that we do keep our declaw patients overnight.

When you pick up your pet you will then be given post-operative instructions in addition to medication, an e-collar, etc. as needed.  Anesthesia can affect each patient differently, but in most cases your pet will still be sleepy for the remainder of the day as he/she recovers.  Your pet should feel quite a bit better the next day, though, and often will behave normally again in as little as two or three days.

Please follow all post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a safe and quick recovery for your pet.  Administer the medication(s) you are given, limit his/her activity with other pets and children for about a week, watch for any signs of illness (vomiting, diarrhea, depression, loss of appetite for more than two days), and do not bathe your pet until all sutures have been removed.

What is your policy regarding online pharmacies?

It is the policy at Animal Care Centre to not deal directly with Internet or catalog type pharmacies.  Unfortunately, many of these pharmacies have decided not to comply with rules and regulations that govern their practices.  Some medications have been filled without the consent of the prescribing veterinarian; sometimes medications that are not licensed to be sold in the United States are shipped to owners, which is a direct violation of federal law.  These are just two reasons we choose not to reply to faxes/phone calls from these pharmacies.

We will, however, be happy to provide you with a written prescription for your pet, as long as they are currently under our care, have been examined within the last 12 months, and are up to date on any required laboratory testing.  Your prescription can then be used at your discretion, in the same manner that you would handle an Rx from your personal physician.

Please note: Online/catalog pharmacy shoppers should be aware that the manufacturers of these medications will not uphold any guarantees regarding the efficacy or safety of medications that have not been purchased from a licensed veterinarian.  We stand behind all the products that we sell, and if the need arises, help you deal with issues that you may have with those products.

If you enjoy the convenience of shopping online for your pet's medication, we encourage you to try our online pharmacy called MyVetDirect.

What is a heartworm test, and why must it be done in order to dispense my pet's heartworm medication?

A heartworm test is a simple blood test that we perform in the clinic, generally during your pet's annual wellness examination.  Our medical staff will take a small sample of blood from your pet and then perform the laboratory test, with results generally available in 10 minutes.

Heartworm medication is a prescription product that we can only dispense for your pet if: 1) they are currently a patient under our care; 2) they have been fully examined in our clinic within the past year; and 3) they have received a heartworm test within the past year with results indicating they are negative for heartworms.

We require such proof of a negative heartworm test for your pet's safety, as well as to monitor the efficacy and guarantee of your pet's heartworm preventative.  If a pet has contracted heartworms and the disease is not diagnosed due to a heartworm test not being performed, then continuing to administer a heartworm preventative will not treat the disease and could even complicate matters further.

Should your pet happen to test positive for heartworms while properly taking monthly medications such as Heartgard, Iverhart, or Sentinel, then the product's manufacturer may assist in paying for your pet's heartworm treatment.

** An important note to consider, however, is that manufacturer guarantees such as this are only valid if products are used according to their recommendations (i.e. heartworm medication is administered monthly) and if purchased by licensed veterinarians (i.e. not purchased from an online pharmacy).

What vaccinations does my pet need?

Most adult suburban animals should remain current on the following vaccinations, as well as receive routine check-ups and monthly preventatives.

Dogs
     - Rabies (1-year or 3-year vaccine as determined by city ordinances)
     - Canine Distemper/Hepatitis/Parvo/Parainfluenza (recommended every 3 years)
     - Bordetella (required for most grooming and boarding facilities every 6 months)

Cats
     - Rabies (1-year or 3-year vaccine as determined by city ordinances)
     - Feline Distemper (recommended every 3 years)
     - Feline Leukemia (recommended annually for outdoor cats)


Please be aware that the vaccination requirements for your dog or cat may vary depending on several factors, therefore you should call our office or consult with Dr. Bobo during your pet’s wellness examination.

What is laser surgery and what are its advantages?

It might sound crazy to think of lasers and pets, but it actually is not so far fetched…. While laser surgery once was used only on human patients, it is now available for pets. About 5,000 veterinary clinics nationwide, or about 16 percent of the nation’s animal clinics, have implemented the technology. We are very excited to now offer this incredible advancement at Animal Care Centre.

The way a laser works is determined by the specific wavelength of light that it produces. For example, the most commonly used surgical laser is a carbon dioxide laser which produces an invisible beam of light that vaporizes the water normally found in the skin and soft tissue. Because the veterinarian can precisely control the laser, only a thin layer of tissue is removed, leaving the surrounding areas unaffected.

The benefits of laser surgery are tremendous for your pet. Essentially, there is less pain since the laser energy seals the nerve endings as it moves through tissue. Therefore, your animal experiences less pain after surgery. The laser also seals blood vessels so there is reduced bleeding. This helps the veterinarian to perform the procedure more efficiently, reducing the time that your pet is under anesthesia. Furthermore, since the laser energy does not crush or tear the tissue there is much less swelling. Often times sutures can be avoided which makes your pet more comfortable.

Can I pick up my boarded pet on Sundays?

Please make arrangements to pick up your pet during office hours only. We are closed Sundays, as well as the first Saturday of every month.