RESOURCE: FAQs

It can sometimes be difficult to tell. If you are not sure but suspect your dog or cat may be hurting, or is just not acting right, call us to have us examine your pet. Some signs of pain are more obvious, such as limping, but some signs are more subtle and can include: not eating, a change in behavior or normal habits, being more tired and having less energy. Of course, these symptoms can also be caused by many problems, so early observation and action is important.

The best time to spay or neuter your dog or cat is approximately 5-6 months of age. However, the procedure can be done at most ages.

Vaccines are an important part of your dog or cat’s health care. Vaccines keep your pet healthy and prevent serious diseases. We will make sure that your pet avoids these problems with annual wellness exams, vaccinations and parasite protection. It is our policy that all pets receiving a vaccination be fully examined by one of our veterinarians prior to the vaccine being given.

Kennel cough is also called Infectious Tracheobronchitis, and is easily transmitted through the air. It is caused by viruses and/or bacteria that affect the respiratory system of dogs. The best way to reduce the severity of respiratory disease is with vaccination (see Bordetella vaccine, below).

Rabies Vaccine: Rabies is transmitted via bites from wild animals, particularly bats, skunks, raccoons, possums, and foxes. This disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Puppies and kittens will first receive this vaccination at 16 weeks of age, and then they will be revaccinated every 1-3 years as required by law. DAPP Vaccine: This is a “4-way” canine vaccine that protects against canine distemper, adenovirus type 2, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Distemper and parvovirus are oftentimes fatal, especially in puppies. Puppies can be vaccinated as early as 8 weeks of age and receive a booster vaccine every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Once your dog is an adult, it receives vaccines on an annual basis. Leptospirosis Vaccine: Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease and can be fatal. It is spread by wildlife (raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, rats) and domestic animals. It can be transmitted to people, and the incidence of canine leptospirosis has risen dramatically in recent years. Infected animals shed the bacteria in the urine. To prevent Leptospirosis in your dog, discourage your pet from drinking standing water and vaccinate yearly. We include the Leptospirosis vaccine with your dog’s annual DAPP vaccine at no additional charge to you. Bordetella Vaccine: Also known as kennel cough and is highly contagious from dog to dog. We recommend this vaccine in almost all instances, because any time your dog comes into contact with other dogs (during walks, at the grooming salon, while boarding, during doggie daycare or obedience training, at the park, etc.), it is at risk for contracting kennel cough.

Rabies Vaccine: (See Answer Above) FVRCP Vaccine: This is a “4-way” feline vaccine that protects against feline distemper (aka panleukopenia), rhinotrachetitis, and calicivirus. Kittens can be vaccinated as early as 8 weeks and receive a booster vaccine every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age. Adult cats are then revaccinated annually. Feline Leukemia Vaccine: Feline Leukemia Vaccine is recommended for kittens and cats that are of high risk of contracting this virus, such as outdoor cats. The vaccine is administered annually.

We recommend that yearly blood work be performed, especially after the age of 7. This helps to detect disease early. In many situations, early detection is essential for more effective treatment. The type of blood work will be determined specifically for each pet depending on his or her individual needs. We also perform blood work on your pet whenever he/she undergoes anesthesia.

12 months! Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can be fatal if left untreated. We recommend all dogs be given year round heartworm prevention, regardless of lifestyle. A simple blood test is needed to check your dog for heartworm disease and should be performed on an annual basis. Heartworm prevention is administered once a month. Heartworm prevention medication also helps prevent other parasite infestations, including internal parasites (intestinal parasites) and external parasites (fleas and ticks).

Dogs can get sick (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or death) if placed on heartworm prevention when they have heartworm disease. Even if they have been on heartworm prevention year round there is always the possibility that the product may have failed for various reasons (your pet spit out the pill, did not absorb the pill appropriately, topical medicine was not applied properly, forgot to administer medication on time, etc.) and the earlier we can treat your pet for heartworm disease, the better the prognosis. Some companies will guarantee their product providing that you use the heartworm prevention year round and are performing yearly heartworm testing. The test itself is very sophisticated yet simple: we just need a few drops of blood to run the test.

No. Heartworm disease is a blood-borne disease that is transmitted through mosquitoes. A fecal sample only tests for intestinal parasites, not blood parasites.

Most pets over the age of 3 have some form of dental disease. We believe an annual professional dental exam, tooth scaling and polishing are necessary to treat and maintain your dog’s and cat’s healthy teeth and gums. As your pet ages or his or her health needs change, advanced dental care may be required. Your pet's teeth and mouth should be examined by us on a regular basis.

Yes, but it must be performed daily (just like for us!). If you get your pet used to this at an early age, it can be a daily “treat”. Proper dental care at home is highly recommended to help maintain the oral health of your dog and cat. Although tooth brushing is the best method of preventing plaque, calculus, and bacterial build-up, some of us don’t have the time in our busy schedules for daily brushing. Thankfully there are now many options for dental home care. Oral home care options include dental formulated foods, water additives, and dental treats.

Please do not feed your pet after 12AM Midnight the evening before a scheduled procedure. There is no restriction on drinking water. We suggest that you plan to arrive at the office between 8-8:30 AM, and allow up to 30 minutes for check-in procedures.

In preparation for the procedure, your pet will receive: A pre-anesthetic exam Pre-anesthetic blood work Medication to easy anxiety and to smooth induction of anesthesia Placement of an intravenous catheter to deliver medications and fluids that support blood pressure and organ function during anesthesia In addition to the above, it gives your pet a chance to adjust to the hospital’s environment which makes the situation less stressful

At Central Valley Animal Hospital, we take all anesthetic cases very seriously. We utilize the safest, multi-modal approach that is individually created for each dog or cat. It includes injectable medications for sedation and pain management as well as gas anesthetic agents. The combination of pre-anesthetic assessment of your pet (including blood work), use of modern anesthetic agents, and the latest anesthetic monitoring equipment means that anesthesia is generally considered to be a very low risk for your pet. Our highly trained staff will closely monitor your pet during the entire procedure (including recovery) using advanced monitoring equipment. Parameters monitored include oxygen concentration in the blood stream (pulse oximetry), electrocardiogram (EKG), core body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate. When we place your pet under general anesthesia, a breathing tube is inserted into the trachea (windpipe) to administer oxygen mixed with the anesthetic gas. As with people, an intravenous catheter is placed into your pet’s arm or leg to infuse with fluids during the procedure. Once the procedure is completed and the anesthetic is turned off, oxygen is continued to be delivered to your pet until they wake up and the tube is removed.

A multi-modal approach refers to the layered administration of small amounts of different medications to achieve the desired levels of anesthesia and pain management. We administer lower doses of each individual anesthetic, which generally equates to fewer side effects, complete pain relief, and faster post-operative recovery.

We believe in performing surgery with advanced pain management techniques because we want to maximize the comfort of your pet during and after his/her procedure. Comfort control improves your dog or cat’s recovery and speeds the healing process. We administer pain medication before the start of the procedure, during the procedure, and post-operatively as needed by your pet.

Anesthesia in otherwise healthy, older pets is considered safe. It is important to have recommended pre-operative testing performed prior to anesthesia to check the status of major organ function and allow us to tailor the anesthesia to any pre-existing medical conditions.

At your request, you will receive a phone call once your pet has entered recovery. If there are any abnormalities during the pre-anesthetic exam or blood work, you will receive a call prior to the procedure in the event that we need to change plans. Remember that no news is good news, and you will be contacted immediately should the need arise.

Please schedule additional time to meet with the doctor or technician when picking up your animal after surgery. This will allow us to go over discharge instructions tailored specifically to your pet and the procedure. Our doctors are more than happy to answer any questions you may have to ensure proper recovery for your pet. Your doctor will provide you with a written set of discharge instructions for you to follow at home.

Decreased appetite can occur after surgery and is not uncommon. Do not be alarmed if your pet does not want to eat the night it comes home.

If the bandage becomes soiled, damp, chewed, or chewed off, please do not re-bandage at home. Duct tape and other items can trap moisture within the cast/bandage causing inflammation of the skin and tissues. In some cases, bandages that are applied incorrectly at home can cut off the circulation to the foot. Call us immediately if you have concerns about your pet's bandage. Confine your pet to a single room or similar small area until you can call us and we can advise you as to whether the bandage needs to be replaced. After a cast or splint is first removed, it may take 1-2 weeks for your pet to become accustomed to using the leg without the splint.

Difficulty having bowel movements can be expected after illness, anesthesia, or surgery. It may take a few days for the gastrointestinal system to return to normal function. Also, remember that prior to surgery, your pet was fasted! Fortunately, it is not vital for your pet to pass a stool on a regular daily basis. Please contact us if your pet has not passed a stool within 72 hours of discharge from the hospital or appears to be straining to defecate.

Although vocalizing can indicate discomfort, it is usually not a sign of pain (instinctively most pets will not vocalize because in the wild, this would attract predators). Often, pets vocalize due to the excitement or agitation that they feel on leaving the hospital and returning to their familiar home environment. If crying or whining is mild and intermittent, you may simply monitor the situation. If vocalization persists, please call us for advice. In some cases, a mild sedative may be prescribed or pain medication may be adjusted.

Your pet may experience diarrhea after hospitalization. This can be caused by a change in diet but is more commonly caused by the stress of being away from home. Certain medications prescribed to your pet may also cause diarrhea. We do NOT recommend using any over-the-counter medication to treat diarrhea in your pet. Please call us if there are any questions or problems.

If an E-collar is sent home, we rely on you to keep it on your pet. While they may not enjoy it initially, they will enjoy even less having to come back to our office for another visit to repair an incision that has been chewed open. If this occurs, they will need to wear the collar for an extended period of time. Most pets become accustomed to the collar within one or two days, and they will be able to eat, sleep, and drink with it on. We are counting on you - please keep the e-collar on your pet.

If for any reason you suspect that your pet has reinjured the surgical site, confine your pet to a safe location and call us immediately for advice.

If you have given your pet all of the pain medication prescribed and you feel your pet still has discomfort, please give us a call, and we will be happy to discuss refilling the pain medication.

Despite the medications we have prescribed, some pets will still show signs of pain at home, such as restlessness, inability to sleep, poor appetite, lameness or tenderness at the site of surgery. Please confine your pet to limit their activity, then call us immediately so we can prescribe additional medication or therapies as necessary to keep your pet comfortable.

This is commonly seen after surgery. It may indicate soreness but is often due to anxiety. Please call us so we can help determine whether additional pain medication is required. We will be happy to recheck your pet for your peace of mind.

In any healing surgical area, fluid produced during the healing process may accumulate and form a seroma (fluid pocket). Fortunately, this is not painful and does not delay the healing process. Eventually, the body will reabsorb the fluid so if the seroma is small, we typically will leave it alone. If it is large, we may remove the fluid with a needle and syringe, or even place a drain if necessary. If you notice a seroma developing, please call our office. We will likely recheck the area to ensure there is no infection.

This is a very common response to physiologic stress after surgery, injury, or any other health procedure. The amount of shaking or trembling may be dramatic, but it does not imply severe pain, cold, or distress. It may involve the entire body, or just the area of surgery. It is most noticeable in the first 5-7 days post-operatively, and typically subsides in 1-2 weeks. Please call us if your pet shows signs of pain such as restlessness, lack of appetite, or crying out.

Some pets may urinate less after surgery or may seem to be unable to control urination. This is usually temporary and may be a side effect of medication, anesthesic drugs, or difficulty assuming "the position" to urinate. Many pets initially drink less after returning home, but if your pet has not produced urine for more than 12-24 hours, please call our office.

Occasionally, there may be an episode or two of vomiting after surgery or anesthesia. This is not unusual due to the excitement of coming home. If the vomiting continues, blood is noted in the vomitus, or if your pet is not holding down any food or water, call us to schedule a follow-up examination of your pet. Bottom line: if you are concerned about your pet at all, please don’t hesitate to call us. That is what we’re here for!