Vaccine Schedule Helpful Links

Frequently Asked Questions "I am so confused!" The Q & A below is for general informational purposes only.  It is not intended to advise, diagnose or treat any medical condition.  If you have concerns or questions about your pet's health, please make an appointment to consult with one of the veterinarians at DCAH.   Q: At what age can my pet be vaccinated? A: Most puppies and kittens can begin their vaccines between 6 and 8 weeks of age.   It depends how long they have nursed from their mother. Q: Will a distemper vaccine change my pet's temperment? A: The vaccine has nothing to do with a pet's temperment.  It is a crucial core vaccine to prevent against the distemper virus, as well as several other viruses.  See the "Vaccination Schedule" section of our website for a complete description of the vaccines we offer. Q: How old should my pet be to be spayed or neutered? A: We usually recommend around 6 months of age. Q: At what age can I use flea medication on my pet? A: Some flea products can be used as early as 4 to 6 weeks.  However, we always recommend calling the hospital before using any flea product on your pet! Q: Can people catch diseases from their pets? A: Yes!  There are many diseases that humans can pick up from their pets.  Most of these can be prevented with a few simple steps.  We can discuss these at your pet's annual checkup or call the hospital during office hours to go over these steps. Q: How can I tell if my pet is overweight? A: You should be able to feel your pets ribs easily, but not easily see the ribs.  Your pet should have a "waistline" when viewed from above.  We have a body score chart in our office to help you determine your pets overall weight health. Q: Are all dog foods the same and how do I know how much to feed? A: No, all dog foods are not the same.  Picking the right food for your dog is a very important decision.  You need to go by age, breed, activity level and health of your pet when determining a food.  Once you find a proper diet, most foods have a weight gauge on the package to give you an idea of how much food to feed by how much your dog should weigh.  Q: Why is my cat peeing outside his/her litter box? A: There are many factors in determining this.  However, we usually separate this into 2 categories: behavioral or medical.  Sometimes it can be a combination of both.  The first thing we would recommend is  a complete physical exam, along with a urinalysis. Q: Why do I need to bring a stool sample to my pet's annual exam? A: Because they groom themselves, pets are prone to ingesting intestinal parasites.  While monthly heartworm pills prevent many of the more common "worms", they do not protect against all parasites.  Annual fecal exams are crucial to protecting both your pets and your family. Q: Can my cat get Heartworm disease? A: YES! Cats CAN get heartworm disease. You should discuss with your veterinarian whether heartworm pills are right for your cat.