Frequently Asked Questions

At what age and how often should I bathe my pet?

We recommend not bathing before the age of 6 weeks if possible. We also recommend routine bathing not more than once monthly as too frequent bathing dries out the skin. Top

Can I drop off my pet before work and pick up after work?

Yes, we are happy to take drop off pets for services. Please call in advance so that we can have your file and the proper paperwork complete. There is a fee for drop off treatments. The drop off fee is included in the cost of grooms, baths, surgery and dentals Top

Can I get just a rabies shot?

If all you want is a rabies shot, then we can give your dog an annual wellness exam and a rabies shot. If you decide to get a distemper-parvo shot we will discount the cost of the vaccine; in effect making it free. Top

Can I get the Mange from my pet?

There are two types of mange. Demodectic mange is not transmissible to other animals or humans. Sarcoptic mange, however, is. A skin scraping and exam done here at the clinic can determine which type your pet has. Top

Can I have my dog de-barked?

We do not do that surgery here, but we can refer you to a board-certified surgeon who does. Top

Can I make payments?

No payments are allowed. We do require payment in full at the time services are rendered. We do accept all major credit cards and Care Credit. We would be happy to assist you in applying for Care Credit. Top

Can my children get worms from my cats/dogs?

Your family can not get heartworms. It is possible for intestinal parasites to be transmitted but it rarely occurs. The best prevention is to do a fecal parasite exam on your pet and to keep them free of parasites. Top

Can the doctor make house calls?

We request that all dogs and cats needing care be brought to the hospital. If you have a problem getting them here we can arrange for a staff member to pick up and deliver your pets after getting care here at the hospital. Top

Do I have to have an appointment?

We do work by an appointment schedule, however, if you have an emergency – we will see them on an emergency basis. Top

Do you have someone at the hospital all night to check on my pet?

No, if your pet is in critical condition, then we will probably have the pet transported to the Animal Emergency Clinic for intensive care. Top

Do you sell pets?

No, we occasionally have pets for adoption and would be happy to talk to you about adopting. Top

Do you take care of snakes, birds, rabbits or ferrets?

We do not see reptiles or birds. We do see Guinea Pigs, Ferrets, Rabbits, Hamsters and other furry little pets. Top

Do you take credit cards?

Yes, we take American Express, Discover, Master Card, Visa, Care Credit and Debit cards. Top

How do I kill ticks?

We recommend Parastar Plus and Preventic Collars to combat fleas and ticks. Top

How do I treat fleas?

We recommend products such as Parastar Plus, Sentinel and Trifexis, Promeris and Comfortis. Parastar Plus is a topical to be applied to the skin of the pet. Comfortis is a pill. All products will last up to 30 days. Trifexis and Sentinel are heartworm medications that contain additional medications that help control fleas and require current heartworm exams. Top

What is included in a yearly exam?

A yearly exam includes Rabies, DHLP-P, Heartworm check and worm check. You can request just Rabies and DHLP-P. Both include an examination. You may call our hospital and we will be glad to give you a price and schedule you an appointment. Top

How old must my pet be in order to be spayed or neutered?

We recommend that they have finished all their vaccinations but no later than 6 months or earlier. Usually between 4-6 months. Top

I have lost my pet – how can I find him/her?

If your pet has a collar with tags, your pet can be traced through the rabies tag number. You can also contact Animal control. They can be on the look out for your pet. You can also contact local vet offices, newspapers and place flyers in the area. Top

I see rice in my pets stool- What should I do?

Your pet has tapeworms. Tapeworms come from fleas. When a pet swallows a flea, the flea becomes tapeworms. Heartworm prevention will take care of internal parasites such as Hook worms, whip worms and round worms. Over the counter medicines do not handle tape worms. Medicine to get rid of them is available here at the clinic. Top

Is it alright to feed my dog bones?

No!! Bones can get caught in the throat or lodged in the digestive tract and cause a life threatening blockage. Top

Is my pet too old for anesthesia?

We recommend blood work for all pets regardless of age. We require blood work on pets that are 8 years of age or older before dentals or surgery. The risk of complications is small compared to the risks of chronic periodontal disease which includes infection, heart disease, liver disease and kidney disease. Top

My dog got into roach/rat poison-what should I do?

You should bring your pet in to the hospital immediately along with the package/box. Top

My dog was playing with a frog – now he is foaming at the mouth. Does he have rabies?

Your pet does not have rabies, however; frogs and toads can be toxic. You should bring your pet into the hospital for an exam. Top

My dog’s ears stink-what should I do?

An odor from the ears can be a sign of infection. An appointment can be scheduled to determine the origin of the odor. Top

My dog’s mouth stinks-what should I do?

Bad breath is a sign of tartar buildup and gum disease. It is very important for many health reasons to have good teeth. Please schedule an appointment to have your pet’s dental health checked. Top

My pet was just hit by a car-what should I do?

Number one-be careful you are not bitten. Carefully wrap your pet in a blanket and get them to the hospital immediately. If possible call the hospital and let us know you are coming so we can be prepared to assist you upon your arrival. If the hospital is closed at that time get your pet to the emergency animal clinic. Top

What are the office hours?

Our office hours are 7am to 5:45pm M-F and 8am to 12pm on Saturday. On Tuesday we are closed from 12:00pm to 2:00pm for our Staff Development Meeting. Appointments are scheduled from 8am to 11:30AM and 2pm to 5pm M-F and 8am to 12pm Saturdays. Top

What do I do if I need a vet after hours or on a holiday?

Call the hospital and the answering machine will give you a number to call for emergencies. Top

How do I stop my dog from digging?

You need to schedule an appointment for a behavior consultation. Top

What do you recommend for Heartworms?

For heartworm prevention we recommend Sentinel, Interceptor and Trifexis for monthly protection. We require testing prior to selling Sentinel, Interceptor or Trifexis (contact the hospital for compliance requirements). If your pet test positive for heartworms, we can discuss treatment options at that time. Top

What is the earliest/latest I can bring in my pet?

Pets can be dropped off for surgery and treatments between 7am and 8am and 8am on Saturday. Pick up is from 4pm to 5:30pm and Saturday by 11:30am. Top

What should I feed my Kitten/Puppy?

Recommend and feed Purina Pro Plan at Countryside Veterinary Hospital. Top

Why do I have to get shots every year?

The important thing is to get a physical every year. Remember a dog or cat ages about 7 years for each calendar year and a physical is even more important. The vaccines are given yearly because that is the recommendations from the manufacturers based on their research of the length of immunity. Top

Why do you have to have anesthesia to clean teeth?

A dog or cat would not tolerate the machine that we use to have our pet’s dental health checked. Top

Why does my pet scoot across the floor?

Scooting is usually a sign that your dog has a problem with the anal sacs. An exam will reveal the reason and treatment can take care of the problem. Top