Boat Club Road

(817) 236-2000

Little Leaf

(817) 632-0333

Frequently Asked Questions

Answering our most frequently asked questions. Don’t see what you need below? Contact Us.

How Can I make an Appointment?

To make an appointment with one of our veterinarians, call us or complete our online appointment request form. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible.

What forms of payment do you accept?

For your convenience, we accept cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and CareCredit. Please note that payment is due at the time services are performed. Learn more about our payment information.

how do I know if my pet is in pain?
Some signs, such as limping or crying, are a clear indicator of pain, but some signs are more subtle. Look for symptoms such as: 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, so early observation and action is important. Call us as soon as possible if your pet is showing signs of illness, injury, or pain.
What do I do if my pet is having an emergency?
If your pet is experiencing an emergency during normal office hours call us so we can advise and prepare, then bring them to us and they will be assessed and treated quickly. If after hours, contact an emergency clinic.
When is the best time to spay or neuter my pet?
Spay and neuter procedures can be done at most ages, but the best time to spay or neuter your pet is approximately 5 to 6 months of age for cats and small breeds and 9-18 months for larger breeds. Consult with one of our doctors to determine the best time.
Which vaccinations does my pet need?
Vaccines are an important part of keeping your pet healthy and free of disease. Our team can develop a vaccination schedule tailored to your pet. During your pet’s wellness exam, we will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the best vaccines for your dog based on lifestyle, age and environment.
When does my pet need blood work?

We recommend annual blood work to detect infections and diseases, helping us to prevent disease early on. 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 annual blood test is convenient to do at the time of your pet’s annual heartworm test, but it can be done at any time of year.

How do I get my Pet's prescription?
Our on-site pharmacy carries many of the most common veterinary prescription medications. An annual exam is required for all medications in order to maintain a veterinary-client-patient relationship.
How many months should my pet be on heartworm prevention medication?
Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can be fatal if left untreated. Our veterinarians recommend that all dogs be given year-round heartworm prevention, regardless of their lifestyle. All of the heartworm prevention companies guarantee their products if you administer year-round.

A blood test is needed to check your dog for heartworm disease on an annual basis. Heartworm prevention is administered once a month either by pill or by topical application. Discuss your options with your veterinarian to select the right heartworm prevention for your pet.

Why does my dog need a blood test before purchasing heartworm prevention?
Dogs can get sick (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or death) if placed on heartworm prevention when they have severe 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 your pet for heartworm disease, the better the prognosis. Some companies will guarantee their product providing that you use the heartworm prevention year-round and are performing yearly heartworm test.

When starting heartworm prevention, or if your dog has not been on heartworm prevention year-round, it is important that you perform an initial heartworm test and an additional heartworm test 6-7 months after starting the prevention to fully rule out the prior infection. During the early stages of development, some larvae are not detectable by the test. It may take a full 6-7 months before they can be detected, which is why we need to repeat the testing later after starting preventative measures.

Doesn't a fecal sample test for heartworms?

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.

Why does my dog need an annual fecal test?

A fecal test looks for intestinal parasites which can be infectious to other dogs and some can be infectious to humans. We recommend annual intestinal parasite screens for all pets and require it for all boarders and stay and play daycare.

Why does my pet need a dental cleaning and how often should this be done?
Annual professional dental exams, tooth scaling, and polishing are necessary to treat and maintain healthy teeth and gums for your pet. As your pet ages, their health needs will also change, and advanced dental care may be required. Your pet’s teeth and mouth should be examined by our veterinarians on a regular basis.
Do I need to brush my pet's teeth at home?
Yes. Proper at-home dental care is highly recommended to help maintain the oral health of your dog and cat. Home dental care for your pet should start early, even before their adult teeth come in. Pet owners should brush their dog’s and cat’s teeth frequently as tooth brushing is the best method of preventing plaque, calculus, and bacterial build-up. There are also additional options for at-home dental care such as dental formulated foods, water additives, and dental treat.

Two-thirds of the tooth is below the gum line and therefore unseen, so brushing is not a replacement for yearly dental cleanings and x-rays. Tartar and plaque cause deterioration of the tooth, root, and surrounding bone therefore causing pain.