Q: How often should my pet have an exam and blood work?
A: At All Creatures Animal Hospital, we believe that the best way to prolong the relationship you share with your pet is to identify disease processes early and prevent the progression of chronic illness, before it becomes a problem. To keep tabs on your pet’s overall health, it is important to maintain annual exams and blood work. We recommend an examination by your veterinarian every 12 months for healthy pets under the age of 7, and every 6 months for healthy senior patients. Those pets with chronic disease or mobility issues may require examination on a more frequent basis. We also recommend annual blood work profiles to provide a continuous record for our veterinarian to identify trends and specific areas to focus on in an effort to prolong the duration and quality of life of our patients.
Q: At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
A: 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 between 4 and 6 months of age.
Prior to any surgery at All Creatures Animal Hospital, all pets undergo a physical exam and a pre-anesthetic blood screening to determine overall fitness for the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery.
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.
Q: What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?
A: Heartworms are a serious, year-round parasitic threat to your pet’s health. After an infection occurs, treatment is not only very expensive, but can also be life threatening. Heartworms are extremely common in the warm, humid environment in Millbrook, Alabama, and can infect both our canine companions AND our feline friends. Heartworms are transmitted from infected mosquitoes as juvenile worms known as microfilaria. Unless your pet is taking a heartworm preventative, these immature worms can grow into adults and cause serious damage to the animal’s blood vessels, lungs and heart, and possibly cause death. There are several options available for prevention of this potentially life threatening disease. A monthly preventative can keep your dog or cat healthy and is much less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. Our experienced veterinarians at All Creatures Animal Hospital will determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on needs and lifestyle.
Q: What financing options do you offer, or is payment expected at the time of service?
A: At All Creatures Animal Hospital, we accept cash, and credit or debit card payments. Sometimes an unexpected emergency occurs with our pets that is not within our immediate budget. If you would like the option of financing unanticipated expenses in order to provide the best care for your pet, we are partnered with Care Credit. You can find more information at https://www.carecredit.com/