Pet Health Care FAQs

When veterinary care is needed after business hours, please visit our emergency page to see our recommended after-hours emergency centers. 

In order to allow sufficient time for our patients, we prefer to see patients by appointments only.  Please call us at  214-592-9939 to set up an appointment that is convenient with your schedule.  

So that we may refill your pet’s medications we request as much notice as possible when refills are needed.

Fees charged for services are based upon what is needed to maintain the high quality of care we are proud to provide. Payment is required at the time service is rendered.  For your convenience, we accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.  We also accept Care Credit.  For more information about care credit, please click here.

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 make sure your pet avoids these serious diseases through annual wellness exams, vaccinations and parasite protection. 

Rabies Vaccine.  The first Rabies shot your pet receives is good for 1 year.  Subsequent Rabies vaccinations last either 1 or 3 years.  We will discuss the rabies vaccines with you during your pet’s annual wellness exam.
DA2PPL Vaccine.  This is a “5-way” canine vaccine that vaccinates against canine distemper, parainfluenza, parvovirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis.  Distemper and parvovirus are often times fatal, especially in puppies and is why it is boostered multiple times.   Puppies can be vaccinated as early as 8 weeks and are boostered every 3 weeks until 16 weeks of age.  Adult dogs are then revaccinated yearly.
Bordetella.  (also known as “kennel cough”).  We recommend the intranasal vaccine at 12 weeks with a booster at 16 weeks and then every 6 months thereafter.

FVRCP Vaccine.  This is a “4-way” feline vaccine that vaccinates against feline distemper (aka panleukopenia), rhinotrachetitis, calici, and chlamydia.  Kittens can be vaccinated as early as 8 weeks and are boostered every 3 weeks until 16 weeks of age.  Adult cats are then revaccinated yearly.
Feline Leukemia Vaccine. Feline Leukemia Vaccine is recommended for all kittens and is started at 8 weeks of age and then boostered at 12 weeks. Adult cats will be assessed yearly for their individual need of an FeLV vaccination.
Other:
Heartworm Prevention.  Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes and if left untreated can be fatal.  We recommend your dog and cat be on year round heartworm prevention starting at your puppy’s or kitten’s first visit. Your dog will need to be tested with a simple blood test for heartworm disease on an annual basis.
Flea and Tick Control.  We recommend using flea/tick prevention all year around.

The best time to spay or neuter your dog or cat is 6 months of age.  However, it can be done at most ages.

Yearly blood work should be performed to detect infections and diseases.  This helps veterinarians detect disease early.  In many situations early detection is essential for more effective treatment.  The type of blood work will be determined specifically for each pet depending on his or her individual needs.  This is convenient to do at the time of the annual heartworm test, but can be done at any time of year.

It is recommended your pet be on heartworm prevention for the entire year.  It is administered one time per month either by pill or by topical application.  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 will get your pet started.

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 you pet for heartworm disease the better the prognosis.

Products purchased from your veterinarian are guaranteed by their manufacturer providing you use the heartworm prevention consistently and are performing yearly heartworm test.  When starting heartworm prevention, or if your pet has not been on heartworm prevention year round, it is important that you perform a heartworm test 6 months after starting the prevention to rule out the pre-patent period.  The pre-patent period refers to the time in which a dog has early developmental larvae which cannot be detected on a heartworm test, even though your dog is already harboring heartworm infection.

If you do not do this it is possible the manufacturer of the products may not cover your pet’s treatment should they test positive for heartworm disease in the future.

Yes.

Heartworm disease is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito and all mosquitoes get into houses. If your pet “escapes,” he is exposed to heartworm disease.  Treatment of infection can be considerably expensive in terms of health and cost in comparison to preventative.

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.

It is important to prevent fleas. Not only are they uncomfortable for your pet, fleas are also carriers of disease. There are many medications for the treatment and prevention of fleas. Many flea preventatives are conveniently combined with the monthly heartworm medication. Although fleas are more prevalent in summer months, fleas can be seen year round in Texas.

Dental disease involves more than just bad breath.  Approximately 80% of patients that visit us on a daily basis need a professional teeth cleaning. When bacteria irritates the gum line, the gums become inflamed in the early phases of 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 is consistently released into the blood stream allowing for systemic infections which can cause organs, such as 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.  

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!

Infectious Tracheobronchitis is a respiratory disease also known as kennel cough or canine bordatella. It is easily transmitted through the air. It is a viral infection complicated by bacteria. Both intranasal and injectable vaccines are available.

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

In preparation for the procedure, your pet may receive:

• Comprehensive physical exam by the veterinarian
• Pre-anesthetic bloodwork (if needed)
• Premedication to ease anxiety and to smooth induction of anesthesia
• 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.

You may bring a toy or special item for your pet. If you pet has a sensitive stomach or prescription diet, we ask that you bring an adequate amount of food, also.

At Perky Paws Pet Hospital, 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 and recommend minimum baseline lab testing based on species, breed and age. We utilize perioperative pain management, which facilitates anesthesia and reduces post-operative pain.

You will receive a call when your pet is in recovery from the procedure.  If there are any abnormalities on 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.

Pets undergoing outpatient procedures may be ready to go home by close of business unless noted otherwise during the post-operative phone update.