FAQs

1. DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT?
Appointments are preferred; however, we always try our best to accommodate everyone.

2. WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and CareCredit. For more information about CareCredit, please click here.

3. WHY ARE VACCINES IMPORTANT?
Vaccines are an important part of your dog or cat’s health care. Vaccines keep your pet healthy and prevent serious diseases. Our veterinarians will help you keep your pet healthy through annual wellness exams, vaccinations, and parasite protection. For more detailed information about vaccines, please read the UC Davis Protocol for Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines.

4. WHAT VACCINES ARE REQUIRED FOR BOARDING OR GROOMING?

• Dogs are required to be current on Rabies. DHPP, and Bordetella.

• Cats are required to be current on Rabies and FVRCP.

5. HOW OFTEN DOES MY PET NEED A RABIES VACCINATION?
The first Rabies shot your pet receives is good for 1 year. Subsequent Canine Rabies vaccinations immunize for 3 years. We use a different vaccine for cats which is safer for them than the dog vaccine, so cats must be immunized for rabies annually.

6. WHEN SHOULD I HAVE MY PET SPAYED OR NEUTERED?
Our recommendation is at 6 months of age. However, it can be done at most ages.

7. WHEN DOES MY PET NEED LABWORK?
Labwork (blood and urine testing) can help to detect infections and diseases. In many cases, we can detect organ problems before symptoms appear. In many situations, early detection is essential for the more effective and less expensive treatment. The type of blood work will be determined specifically for each pet depending on his or her individual needs. In general, we recommend labwork prior to any anesthetic procedure and annually for animals aged 7 or older.

8. HOW MANY MONTHS SHOULD MY PET BE ON HEARTWORM PREVENTION MEDICATION?
The American Heartworm Society currently recommends that dogs be on a heartworm preventative year-round. As 25% of the cats diagnosed with heartworm disease are considered indoor-only, year-round heartworm preventative for all cats in this area is also recommended. There are both oral and topical heartworm preventatives. We currently recommend Simparica Trio and Heartgard (oral once monthly tablets) for dogs and Revolution (a topical agent applied once monthly) for cats. Depending on the specific product you and your veterinarian choose for your pet, heartworm prevention medication can prevent other parasite infestations including internal parasites (intestinal parasites) and external parasites (fleas and ticks). Some of these parasites can be communicated to people! A simple blood test is required to start any dog over 6 months on heartworm preventative. Cats may be started at any time without blood testing.

9. WHY DOES MY DOG NEED A BLOOD TEST BEFORE PURCHASING HEARTWORM PREVENTION?
Dogs could 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. ALL companies will guarantee their product providing you use the heartworm prevention year-round and are performing yearly heartworm tests.

10. MY PET NEVER GOES OUTSIDE SO DOES IT REALLY NEED HEARTWORM PREVENTION?
Yes. Heartworm disease is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito and all mosquitoes can get into a house. In a study of cats with heartworm disease, 25% were considered to be indoor only.

11. DOESN’T THE FECAL SAMPLE TEST FOR HEARTWORMS?
No. Heartworm disease is a blood-borne disease that is transmitted through mosquitoes. A simple blood test will confirm whether or not your dog has heartworm disease.

12. HOW CAN I PREVENT FLEAS?
It is important to prevent fleas. Not only are they uncomfortable for your pet, but fleas are also carriers of diseases. There are many medications for the treatment and prevention of fleas. Many medications are in a combined form with the monthly heartworm medication. Not only is this convenient, but it reduces the cost of two medications! Although fleas are more prevalent in the summer months, they can survive year-round in a home.

13. WHY DOES MY PET NEED A DENTAL CLEANING AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD THIS BE DONE?
Dental disease involves more than just bad breath. Approximately 80% of patients that visit us on a daily basis need professional teeth cleaning. When bacteria irritate the gum line, the gums become inflamed in the early phases the disease-causing gingivitis. Left untreated, this leads to periodontal disease which causes loss of the bone/support structure of the tooth and subsequent tooth loss. In addition, the bacteria are consistently released into the bloodstream allowing for systemic infections which can cause organs, such as the kidney, liver, and heart to function improperly.
How often your pet needs his/her teeth cleaned varies with many factors. Your pet's teeth and mouth should be examined on a regular basis by a veterinarian. We will keep you informed specifically for your pet how often dental examinations and dental cleanings should be performed.

14. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PET IS IN PAIN?
It can sometimes be difficult to tell! If you are not sure but suspect your pet may be hurting or is just not acting right, call to have an examination. Some signs of pain are more obvious, such as limping. 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!

15. WHAT IS KENNEL COUGH?
Canine Bordetella is a respiratory disease called Infectious Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough). It is easily transmitted through the air. It is a viral infection complicated by bacteria. Both intranasal and injectable vaccines are available.

16. WHAT IS LEPTO?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. It is spread by wildlife (raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, rats) and domestic animals. It can be passed to people and cause severe disease. Canine Lepto has risen dramatically in recent years. Infected animals shed Lepto bacteria in the urine. To prevent Lepto in your dog, discourage your pet from drinking standing water and vaccinate yearly.

17. WHY DOES MY PET NEED TO BE ADMITTED SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE A SURGICAL PROCEDURE?
In preparation for the procedure, your pet will receive:

• Comprehensive physical exam by the veterinarian

• Pre-anesthetic bloodwork (if not completed beforehand)

• Premedication to relieve anxiety.

• Placement of an intravenous catheter to deliver medications and fluids that support blood pressure and organ function during anesthesia

• This all needs to be complete BEFORE your pet's scheduled procedure time.

18. WHAT SHOULD I BRING FOR MY PET'S HOSPITAL STAY?
You may bring a toy or special item for your pet. We will do our best to make sure belongings stay with your pet, however, these items occasionally go missing in the laundry, so we cannot guarantee their return.

19. WHEN MY PET IS HAVING SURGERY, WHEN SHOULD I EXPECT AN UPDATE ON MY PET?
You will receive a call when your pet is in recovery from the procedure

If there are any abnormalities on the pre-anesthetic exam or blood work, you will receive a call prior to the procedure in case we need to change plans

Remember that no news is good news, and you will be contacted immediately should the need arise

20. AFTER SURGERY, WHEN WILL MY PET BE ABLE TO GO HOME?
Pets undergoing outpatient procedures will be ready to go by 5 pm unless noted otherwise during the post-operative phone update.

21. ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS AFTER YOUR PET GOES HOME AFTER SURGERY:

APPETITE
Decreased appetite is very common during illness or after surgery. There are several things you can try:

• offer favorite foods or treats

• warm the food slightly above room temperature to increase the odor/taste

• some pets like low-sodium chicken/beef broth or chicken baby food. These can be fed alone or in addition to regular pet food (make sure these foods do not have onions or garlic added)

BANDAGE, CAST OR SPLINT IS WET, SOILED, OR OFF
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 inappropriately applied at home can even 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 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.

CONSTIPATION, BOWEL MOVEMENTS
Difficulty in 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. Fortunately, it is not vital for your pet to pass a stool on a regular daily basis. Please call if your pet has not passed a stool within 72 hours of discharge from the hospital or appears to be straining to defecate.

CRYING/WHINING
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 sedative may be prescribed or pain medication may be adjusted.

DIARRHEA
Diarrhea may be seen 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. If no blood is noted in diarrhea, feed your pet a bland diet for 2-3 days to help the digestive tract get back to normal. If the diarrhea is bloody, lasts longer than 12-24 hrs., or if your pet becomes lethargic or vomits, please contact us immediately. You can purchase a nutritionally complete bland food from us available in cans or kibble. Alternatively, you may feed cooked/steamed white rice and white meat chicken or cottage cheese. Make a mixture of approximately 2/3 rice to 1/3 protein source. Feed small meals every 4-6 hours. We do NOT recommend using any over-the-counter medication to treat diarrhea. Please call us if there are any questions or problems.

E-COLLAR
We rely on you to keep the E-collar on your pet. While they may not enjoy it initially, they will enjoy even less having to come back to our office for a recheck visit to repair an incision that has been chewed open. They will need to wear the collar for an even longer period if this happens! Most pets become accustomed to the collar within one or two days and they can eat, sleep, and drink with it on. We are counting on you: please keep the E-collar on your pet.

IMPLANT OR HARDWARE IS VISIBLE/EXPOSED
Immediately confine your pet to a single room or a cage, call us and come in so the doctor can recheck the surgery site.

INJURY TO SURGICAL SITE
If for any reason you suspect that your pet has reinjured the surgical site, confine your pet and call us immediately for advice.

MEDICATION REFILLS
If you have given your pet all the pain medication prescribed and you feel your pet still has discomfort, please call and we will be happy to discuss refilling or changing the pain medication.

PAIN
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 dispense or prescribe additional medication or therapies as necessary to keep your pet comfortable.

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

SEROMA (FLUID POCKET)
In any healing surgical area, the fluid produced during the healing process may accumulate and form a seroma (fluid pocket). Fortunately, this is not painful and does not impair 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 you notice a seroma developing, please call. We may wish to recheck the area to ensure there is no infection.

SHAKING/TREMBLING
This is a very common response to physiologic stress after surgery, injury, or any other health abnormality. 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 to 7 days post-operatively and typically subsides in 1-2 weeks. If there are signs of pain such as restlessness, lack of appetite, or tenderness at the surgery site, please call.

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

VOMITING
An episode or two of vomiting is occasionally seen after surgery or anesthesia. If the vomiting continues, blood is noted in the vomitus or if your pet is not holding down any food or water, call to schedule a recheck of your pet by a veterinarian.

22. IS ANESTHESIA SAFE FOR MY PET?
At Animal Hospital of Salinas, we take all anesthetic cases very seriously. We thoroughly screen all of our patients to make sure there are no hidden complications by performing exams before every anesthesia procedure and requiring minimum baseline lab testing based on species, breed, and age. We utilize multimodal pain management, which reduces post-operative pain and reduces the depth of anesthesia we use, which increases safety. All of our patients who undergo procedures have an IV catheter and fluids to help bolster their blood pressure. We use extensive monitoring of our patients under anesthesia, using our ECG machine which monitors oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and temperature. One of our medical team is assigned to your pet, from the initial exam, through pre-anesthetic medications, anesthesia, and post-operatively. For your pet’s safety, we only perform one surgical procedure at a time. We use an objective pain scoring system in order to make sure that, if your pet is in pain, they immediately get the relief they need.