According to the AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, no doctor can prescribe medication or fill medication to a patient outside of the Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship. To ethically and legally prescribe meds to your pet, your veterinarian has to maintain that relationship and see the pet at least once annually.

We ask that you call and schedule an appointment beforehand at 281-288-1221 – this way we have time reserved just for you and your pets with the veterinarian on that day. In the event of an emergency during business hours, the patient will be seen promptly.

We do accept walk-in appointments however there is an additional fee charged to the exam and we cannot guarantee a wait time to see the doctor. So give us a call and let us know when you want to schedule an exam!

You’ve been told to have your pet on heartworm prevention monthly since you first got them. You’ve been the most diligent owner and have given it every month on the 1st without missing a dose in years. So why should you test your pet for heartworms?

The heartworm medication is given once monthly to kill any adolescent heartworms in your pet’s bloodstream. The adolescent worms are what’s transmitted from the mosquito into the dog’s blood, where they travel to the heart and set up camp to grow into adults and make baby heartworms known as microfilaria.

The term “heartworm prevention” is slightly misleading. The medications do not prevent mosquito bites or potential transmittal of heartworm teenagers throughout the entire month but instead treat the problem once monthly. If given on time every month, your pet’s risk of becoming infected is minimal. But can you guarantee your pet didn’t throw it up 30 minutes later? Did they only get half the pill and the other half fell on the floor? These are things to consider when discussing whether or not to do the heartworm test.

Finally, the heartworm test is also a way of verifying the product efficacy annually. We want to make sure it’s working right, every time. If it doesn’t and your pet develops heartworms despite timely dosing each month, most manufacturing companies for the product will cover the cost of heartworm treatment so long as there is a heartworm test done annually on file.

It is best to start booster vaccines at approximately eight weeks old. Both puppies and kittens need to have at least three booster shots to help prevent harmful diseases. We recommend bringing your new friend in for an exam to meet the doctors as soon as possible. This helps to establish a doctor-patient relationship and we are able to set up an individualized vaccine protocol.

We recommend scheduling your new pet’s spay (for girls) or neuter (for boys) once they’ve reached six months of age. However your pet is never too old to be altered, even the seniors out there! Here are some of the benefits of spaying/neutering your pet.

Females

• A longer, healthier life
• Almost completely eliminates the risk of certain cancers and infections
• Prevents life-threatening uterine infections
• Removes risk of mammary tumors which can be cancerous about 50% of the time in dogs and 90% of the time in cats

Males

• A longer, healthier life
• Almost completely eliminates the risk of certain cancers and infections
• Fewer prostate problems and hernias
• Decreased aggression, less likely to roam and increased comfort

Our veterinary team takes every precaution so that your pet receives the highest-quality care, always. We perform a physical exam and preanesthetic testing before all surgical procedures, monitor your pet during surgery, and provide appropriate pain medication to keep your pet comfortable during recovery. Your pet is our number one priority!

The following procedures are recommended before your pet goes under for any anesthetic procedure:

• Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork
• Intravenous Fluids
• ECG (Electrocardiogram) Screening
• Cold Laser Therapy
• Home Again Microchip Implant

A pre-anesthetic blood screening test is run in the clinic prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions, blood counts, and clotting function of your pet. This critical test is done to ensure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.

Dental cleanings are incredibly important to the overall health and wellbeing of your furry friend. Just as you brush your teeth and go to the dentist, your pet should as well. We can provide digital x-rays, lab work, and hands-on service that will minimize their dental problems and keep them healthy and happy.

Common signs of dental disease include:

• Yellow or brown buildup (tartar) on the teeth
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Changes in eating or chewing habits
• Pawing at the face
• Loose teeth
• Depression

Even if your dog or cat doesn’t have these symptoms, we recommend that you have a veterinarian evaluate your pet’s dental health at least once a year at their annual wellness exam. Bacteria and food debris accumulate around the teeth and, if left unchecked, will lead to deterioration of the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. This decay can result in irreversible periodontal disease, tooth loss, and in some cases serious infection to the kidneys, liver, lungs and heart.

A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure to remove abnormal growths or masses on or below the skin surface.

Some growths or masses can be benign, while others can be malignant, so a biopsy and diagnostics is important to fully and properly treat your pet. If the lump is determined to be benign, treatment is usually limited to surgical removal and follow up aftercare. If the lump is diagnosed as malignant, in addition to surgical removal of the lump, medical treatment may be necessary to treat any other conditions and/or to keep the condition from progressing.

The following diagnostics may be recommended by a veterinarian prior to or after the lumpectomy procedure.

• Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) with Cytology
• Biopsy
• Bloodwork
• Radiographs

General anesthesia and surgery are required to perform the lumpectomy. Both the lump and some surrounding tissue are removed to ensure the entire mass is extricated. In some case, tumors can extend microscopically very far beyond the primary mass, making it necessary to remove a large area of tissue around the primary lump.

Proper aftercare is important in the recovery of your pet after their lumpectomy. Every pet is beautifully different, therefore every pets recovery will look a little different. We will be with you every step of the way; from exams before surgery to post-op follow ups to ensure the best long term treatment for your pet and your family.

Alcoholic Beverages – vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, coma and even death
Avocado – swelling of the head and neck through fluid build up, vomiting, diarrhea
Caffeine – vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, tremors, seizures and even death
Chocolate – vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, tremors, seizures and even death
Grapes – kidney failure
Milk/Dairy – stomach upset and diarrhea
Raisins/Currants – kidney failure
Xylitol – found in gum and candy, this artificial sweetener is extremely toxic and can cause liver failure, hypoglycemia, and death

For a more extensive list, visit ASPCA’s “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets”