Frequently
Asked Questions
Q. Can I buy my pet’s
medications online?
A. There has been much controversy about online pharmacies. Some companies
are reputable andothers “unscrupulous and operating against the
law.” It is important to understand why ordering medication from
a reputable pharmacy is crucial. We strongly recommend that you read and
understand the following article from FDA Consumer Health Information. “Purchasing
Pet Drugs Online: Buyer Beware”. Should you then decide to get your
pets’ medication(s) from a company not associated with our clinic;
we do require that you sign a Waiver of Responsibility and Liability.
Q. I buy my puppy’s food at a grocery store.
Is that okay?
A. Remember the old saying, “You are what you eat.”? Keep that
in mind as you discuss food and nutrition with your veterinary staff. Food
plays a very serious role in the health and well-being of your pet. The better
the quality of food your pet eats, the better your pet’s body will
function. A proper diet will lead to healthy skin and coat, stronger muscles
and joints and a healthy digestive system.
We carry a full line of Royal Canin and Purina foods. Our veterinarians
will recommend a diet that is specific for your pet. Purchasing your pet
food here at our clinic helps us to monitor his or her health. Some foods
may be therapeutic for a specific health condition, so it is imperative that
we be able to tell if the food is the correct course of action. (i.e. urinary
or bladder stones, allergies, etc.)
If cost is an issue, please discuss it with your veterinarian so we can
help find alternative sources or foods.
For more information, please visit our Learning
Center.
Q. Why does my pet need a physical exam? How often is best?
A. A physical exam is an important tool
to help evaluate your pet’s
overall health and to detect any problems before they turn into a serious
illness. There can be changes in your pet that may be too subtle for you
to notice, but we can detect them during a physical exam. With the valuable
information gathered from you and the physical exam, we hope to help you
maintain the wellness of your pet.
AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) currently recommends a physical
exam with blood work annually on young, healthy pets. Because our pets age
more rapidly than humans (on average, five to seven years for every human
year), their senior years come more quickly. We recommend that our senior
pets (6 years and over) have a physical exam and blood work every six months.
If you have a pet that requires special care or with an illness, our veterinarians
will recommend a physical exam schedule based on each individual pet.
For more information on Physical Exams, please visit our Learning
Center.
Q. If I want to look up more information on my pets’ condition,
are there any web sites that you would recommend?
A. We have actually done some research, and we really like the new Healthy
Pets section on WebMD. The web address is http://pets.webmd.com/default.htm.
Q. Why do I need to bring a “poop sample” in
every time my pet has a visit?
A. Typically, we ask for a fecal sample once a year during an annual visit.
When we perform a fecal examination, we are looking for evidence of microscopic
parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidian, tapeworms
and Giardia. These parasites can cause gastrointestinal problems such as
diarrhea, straining, not eating or vomiting. Some parasites are zoonotic,
which means that they can be transmitted from your pet to you and your family.
When your new kitten or puppy comes in for a first visit,
we want to see two “negative” fecal samples. We will ask
you to bring in a sample at the first visit and then bring us another
one at the second visit. Should there be a parasite seen in either sample,
we will develop a treatment plan and then recheck a fecal sample in a
few weeks.
Q. Where can I go in case of an emergency and I can’t
get in contact with you?
A. If you have an emergency after hours and cannot contact us, we strongly
recommend that youcall or go to MedVet or OSU Veterinary Hospital.
MedVet Medical & Cancer
Center for Pets
300 E. Wilson Bridge Rd.
Worthington, OH 43085
Phone: (614) 846-5800 or (800) 891-9010
OSU Veterinary Hospital
601 Vernon L. Tharp Street
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-3551
Q. If my pet eats something that I think is poisonous, what
should I do?
A. If you think your pet has gotten into
something dangerous, you can call one of the following emergency numbers: ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. (There is a $65
consultation fee per phone call.)
Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680. (There is a $35 per incident fee, payable by credit card. This fee covers the initial consultation as well as all follow up calls associated with the management of the case.)
Q. What is the rule of thumb for bringing my pet in if he
or she is vomiting or has diarrhea?
A. If your pet has begun vomiting or you’ve
noticed some diarrhea, please call us and ask to speak with a technician.
They will ask a few questions and help you decide on a plan of action or
if we should see your pet and when.
Have a question? Send it to us at cheshirevet@frontier.com.
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