My cat sounds odd when it meows
The most common cause for a cat to sound "hoarse" is due to an upper respiratory infection. If your kitty's meow is quiet or absent, it may be time to bring them in for a check up and proper medications to help treat the infection.
How often should I take my dog for a walk?
There are numerous reasons why it is important to walk your dog daily. First and foremost, all dogs need exercise. Most of us lead busy lives and our dogs are cooped up inside all day waiting on us to get home. A short run around the back yard is not enough exercise for most dogs, especially some of the larger, more active breeds. Walking your dog off of your property not only provides needed exercise, but, just as importantly it provides mental stimulation. Dogs see different things on a walk down the road than they do in the back yard they visit multiple times a day. This exercise and stimulation will make for a calmer, more confident and well behaved pet at home. Ideally, dogs should be walked off the property for 10-20 minutes per day. If you have a very active dog, twice a day is best. Your dog will be happier and healthier for it! So, go on, take that walk! You might just benefit from it too!
Do I have to get my indoor only cat vaccinated?
This is a great question and a hot topic right now as studies show vaccines are lasting longer. At MAC, we continue to monitor the latest research to make the best medical decisions for your pets. As a result of that, our vaccine protocols are modified accordingly. Let's start with Rabies vaccine. First, it is required by law. The protocol has changed so that after they have their initial one year vaccine (given after 12 weeks of age), vaccines are only needed every three years. Indiana has bat Rabies and occasionally bats get into our houses. It is often difficult to catch the bat in your house to have it tested. If you pets are not vaccinated, you may be required to quarantine them for a specific period of time to ensure they didn't get exposed to Rabies.
Cats are also vaccinated for numerous other upper respiratory diseases. The protocol for this vaccine has also been modified recently to be given every three years as well after their kitten vaccine series and one year booster. Even if your cat doesn't come into contact with other cats, you can bring home germs on your clothes and shoes from other cats that can cause illness in your cats. Plus, you just never know when that cute kitten is going to show up on your doorstep and you let it in for the night before bringing it to the veterinarian for a check up.
If you have multiple cats and some cats go outside and other stay inside, the cats that stay inside are exposed to everything that the indoor/outdoor cats are exposed to. It is important to vaccinate those cats for Rabies, the upper respiratory viruses and Feline Leukemia.
If you have questions or concerns about vaccinating your pets, we are happy to talk about it and go over all of the options.
When should I get my new puppy or kitten vaccinated?
Congratulations! You have a new family member! We are happy to help you keep them healthy! Your new puppy or kitten should stay with it's mother and litter until they are 6-8 weeks old. Once they are adopted, it is time to bring them in for an exam and to start their initial vaccinations. It is important to remember that over the counter vaccines (bought at feed stores, pet stores, etc) are not effective against Parvo. So, even if your puppy was just vaccinated with one of those vaccines, they may not be protected and it is important to get them an effective vaccine as soon as possible to prevent this deadly disease. Please call with any questions and we will be happy to talk to you!
My dog is peeing everywhere. Help!
Accidents in the house are a common problem with our pets. There are so many causes for this problem! Most commonly it is caused by a urinary tract infection. Other causes include behavioral/housebreaking, disease such as kidney disease or diabetes, or incontinence. To get to the correct diagnosis some testing must be done. Initially a urinalysis is done and may be followed with some bloodwork. It is important to find the correct cause in order to determine the proper course of treatment. If this is happening at your house - it is important to remember this isn't happening because of old age. There is an underlying problem that could potentially be corrected. Correcting the problem leads to a better quality of life for your pet and for you!
Why does my dog’s breath smell so bad?
Our dog's love to lick our faces and give us kisses any chance they get. When their breath is so bad, they almost knock you out, it may be time for a dental cleaning. Can you imagine what your teeth would look and smell like if you didn't brush your teeth for years? And, if maybe your eating habits included things like bathroom trash, litter box delights and an occasional dead thing from your yard? ICK! It's no wonder Fido's breath gets so bad! Bacteria builds up on our pet's teeth and forms a hard brown coating known as plaque. The bacteria in the plaque enter the bloodsteam in the gums and can lead to painful gingivitis and even kidney or heart disease. If your pet's breath is knocking you out, bring them in today for a free dental screening with one of our Registered Veterinary Technicians to see if it is time for a thorough cleaning!