Frequently Asked Questions
How old does my pet have to be to have the microchip implanted?
There is no minimum age requirement for a patient to have a microchip implanted.
At what age does my pet need to be to have a dental cleaning performed?
Every pet is different, normally dental cleanings are not needed until after two years of age. Usually, the smaller the patient, the earlier and more often a teeth cleaning is needed.
What “human” foods are acceptable for my pet?
We do not recommend human food as a key part of your pet’s diet. Some acceptable foods are low fat protein such as boiled or baked chicken or turkey breasts. Fruits and vegetables also make good treats. Remember to stay away from grapes, raisins, onions and garlic as they can cause serious and sometimes life threatening health conditions. Also remember raw meats are never acceptable to give a pet. They can carry diseases such as salmonella and E.coli.
At what age does my pet need to start their vaccines?
Puppies are recommended to start their vaccine series at 6 weeks of age. Kittens need to start their vaccine series at nine weeks of age.
How old does my pet need to be to be spayed or neutered?
We recommend getting your pet sterilized any time after five months of age.
How does a microchip work?
Microchips are not a GPS system. The microchip in your pet has a number that is unique to your pet. When scanned by a microchip scanner, the number can be searched in a database and your information retrieved. He is very important that your contact information be current. Contact the microchip company to keep this information up to date.
What side effects can I expect from my pet receiving vaccines?
The normal side effects can range from lethargy to a slight fever. Other symptoms can include soreness or swelling at the injection site. More serious side effects can include facial swelling and hives present on the abdomen or all over the body. If this occurs, you may need to contact your veterinarian immediately.
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease. It is caused by worms found in the heart and the large adjacent vessels. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos. A mosquito will bite a heartworm positive dog and then take those infant heartworms and transmit them to another dog, where if not prevented, they will mature into adult heartworms in the heart. If a patient has to be treated for heartworms, it can be a very costly procedure and hard on the patient. It requires very strong medication and confinement of the patient for 3-4 months. The good news to all of this is that heartworms are easily prevented by administering a monthly dose of heartworm prevention. The once monthly dose will prevent the infant heartworms from maturing to adults by killing them while still in the blood stream. Heartworm prevention is a key part of maintaining your pet’s health and happiness.
Why is flea and tick prevention so important for my pets?
Flea and tick prevention is very important in our area due to the fact that we have fleas and ticks present in the environment year round. Unfortunately, we do not freeze long enough to kill off the flea and tick population that is found in the Central Texas area. Flea infestations can lead to skin infections, allergic reactions and serious discomfort for you pets that will eventually require a visit to the veterinarian. Ticks can transmit tick borne diseases such as Lyme disease and though not largely seen in this area, these potential diseases can affect the lifelong health of your pets. Here at Killeen Veterinary Clinic we encourage all pets to have year round flea and tick prevention.
Why should I trust Killeen Veterinary Clinic with the care and treatment of my pet(s)?
At Killeen Veterinary Clinic we strive to offer caring, compassionate, state of the art veterinary care for your special family member. Our doctors and staff want you to be a part of our family and rely on us for routine or advanced veterinary care! Your satisfaction and your pet’s wellbeing are our foremost concern.
Contact us today at 254-634-0242 or Request an Appointment.
