How often should my pet have an exam and blood work?
At Bluff Park Animal Clinic, we promote a proactive approach to pet wellness by identifying disease processes early in order to prevent chronic illnesses from becoming a problem. To ensure that we identify health issues early, we recommend an examination by your veterinarian every 12 months for all pets - young, old, and in-between. We recommend yearly visits for necessary vaccination boosters, routine blood work to detect parasites and cancer, and physical exams to monitor for any abnormality. Puppies and kittens require more frequent visits to ensure vaccinations and vaccine boosters are given at proper intervals. Older pets often require more frequent visits to monitor and treat various age-related conditions.
Why does my pet need a dental procedure?
Periodontal disease (disease of the structures around the teeth such as the gums, bone, and connective tissue) is one of the most common problems that we deal with on a daily basis at Bluff Park Animal Clinic. Periodontal infections, tooth fractures, and oral masses can be sources of serious discomfort for your pet. Additionally, untreated periodontal infections can cause damage to major organs of the body including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Proper veterinary dental care can help prevent your pet from developing painful dental conditions, and can extend their life expectancy as well.
How long should I wait to bring in my pet if I notice a change in behavior?
If you notice your pet acting strangely, including loss of appetite or energy, you should call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible for an examination by our doctor. Pets have an instinctive tendency to hide pain and illness so that they do not show any weaknesses that might attract predators. As pet owners, by the time we notice a change in behavior, the animal may have been suffering for several days already.
At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
There are several factors that help determine the best age for spaying and neutering including your pet’s breed (larger breeds wait longer) and individual health status. Typical spaying and neutering for most pets not used for breeding purposes is usually recommended at about 6 months of age. Spaying and neutering help with animal population control and prevent unwanted pets. Just as importantly, spaying and neutering can improve the overall health of your pet, and help in avoiding certain reproductive diseases, and some types of cancer.
What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?
Heartworms are a serious life-threatening, year-round parasitic threat to both indoor and outdoor pets. Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworms are extremely common in the warm, moisture rich environment found in Alabama.
Heartworm larvae are carried to healthy animals by mosquitoes that have previously bitten infected animals. Unless your pet is taking a heartworm preventative, the microfilaria, larvae of the parasites, will mature into adult worms. Adult heartworms can cause serious damage to the animal’s blood vessels, lungs and heart, and may ultimately cause death.
The best course of action is to have your pets tested regularly for the presence of heartworms and kept on a heartworm preventative regimen for the rest of their lives. Having your pet on a monthly preventative treatment is much less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. There are several options available for the prevention of this potentially life threatening disease. Our doctor will determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on their needs and lifestyle.
What financing options do you offer (ex. Care Credit), or is payment expected at the time of service?
Bluff Park Animal Clinic strives to offer compassionate, comprehensive veterinary care. In order to continue a high quality of service, payment is expected in full at the time of examination or procedure. We accept cash, and all major credit cards; no payment plans are available.