Frequently Asked Questions from Concerned Pet Owners

Puppies and kittens need to visit the veterinarian every 3 weeks from the age of 6 weeks to 16 weeks for a series of vaccinations including Distemper, parvovirus, kennel cough, and rabies.  This vaccination series is essential, because the immunity that our pets get from their mothers gradually fades, and will not protect them long-term.  We vaccinate them at appropriate times to ensure that they have a strong immune system to fight the many common diseases they may encounter.  Once this series is complete, your pet will need annual vaccination boosters to maintain their vaccination status.  

Yes, we carry Hills Science Diet and Royal Canin prescription pet food. We strive to keep most formulas in stock. On occasion, we may not have certain types on hand, so we always recommend calling 10-14 days in advance of your pet’s needs to ensure we can best serve you.

Nutrition is vital to keeping our four-legged companions healthy. We have numerous ways of helping your pet lose those extra pounds that he has packed on over his life.  Obesity drastically affects many aspects of health, ranging from joint disease to cardiovascular disease and even endocrine diseases like diabetes.

Weight loss for your pet is similar to weight loss for anyone else. Strategies including decreasing calories, limiting treats, and increasing exercise.   A nutritional consultation can be scheduled to make your pet’s weight loss a successful, healthy, and positive process for your pet and your family.

YES, both cats and dogs can become infected with heartworms.  Heartworms are spread when a mosquito takes a blood meal from an infected animal.  When it bites your pet, it injects juvenile heartworms (microfilaria) into your pet.  It takes 6 months from the time your pet is infected until he/she will test positive for the heartworms.

Heartworm disease is a preventable disease in dogs and cats, and there are many types of preventatives on the market, ranging from oral tablets and chews to topical medications.  There are a few heartworm products that include flea preventatives for the convenience of pets and pet owners.

In dogs, heartworm disease is treatable, but it is a very long (6 months) and expensive treatment.  The medication used for heartworm treatment can lead to some significant side effects. Dogs undergoing treatment for heartworm disease have to remain in strict confinement through the duration of the treatment.

Cats are slightly less susceptible to heartworm infection, however, when they are infected with heartworms there is no treatment for the disease. Cats with heartworm disease usually exhibit signs similar to feline asthma including wheezing, difficulty breathing, and occasionally coughing.  

Yearly blood work is a necessity for aging pets.  We typically recommend yearly blood work in all patients older than 7 years of age, and older than 5 years of age in large and giant-breed dogs.  Certain medical conditions also require yearly blood work, such as: long term steroid use, patients on seizure medications, and patients on long-term NSAIDS.  Yearly blood work allows the veterinarian to evaluate various organs and cell populations in order to diagnose and intervene early in certain disease processes, such as kidney disease, thyroid disease, and liver disease.

At Siouxland Animal Hospital, we take a limping patient seriously.  We always recommend scheduling your pet to be evaluated to ensure he/she gets then best treatment to alleviate pain and inflammation.  A limping pet could have something as minor as a sprain or strain or as serious as a torn ACL, patellar luxation, or fracture.  On occasion, surgical intervention is needed.  We are able to offer most orthopedic surgeries in our hospital.  If your pet is diagnosed with arthritis  as the cause for limping, there are a number of approaches we can use to help keep your pet comfortable.

We recommend spaying and neutering dog & cats no earlier than 5-6 months of age.  However, your veterinarian may recommend a later spay/ neuter for large or giant breed dogs. If you have any questions, please talk to your veterinarian about what is best for your individual pet.