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Village Vet Animal Clinic FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.

faqs

Our Frequently Asked Questions

At Village Vet Animal Clinic, we get a ton of interesting questions from pet parents. Below are some common FAQs that might help answer any questions or concerns. Please feel free to call us at 918-258-0040 for any other concerns you might have about your pet.

Does my pet need vaccines?

Maybe. If you have a dog, cat, or a ferret –Yes, vaccines are needed! Not only is it a legal requirement that your pets are vaccinated; more importantly it also helps keep your entire family safe from zoonotic diseases.

What vaccines does my pet need?

Dogs –Dogs in Oklahoma need to be vaccinated for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, and Parainfluenza, as well as Leptospirosis and Rabies. Puppies start vaccines between 6-8 weeks old and get boosters until they have had 3 doses of the core vaccine for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, and Parainfluenza. The Rabies vaccine is given at 16 weeks old. These are known as core vaccines, meaning they are required.

Some dogs will also need a Bordetella vaccine to protect against a highly infectious virus known as kennel cough. In addition, some dogs will require a Lyme or a Canine Influenza vaccine. Just like us, lifestyle dictates which vaccines your pet needs. We will work together to make sure that your pet is fully protected.

Cats –Cats need to be vaccinated for Feline Calicivirus, Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Leukemia, and Rabies. Kittens start vaccines between 6-8 weeks old and get boosters until they have had 3 doses of the core vaccine for the above viruses. Luckily, one vaccine covers all of the infectious respiratory diseases, so your pet will only receive the combination vaccine and a Rabies vaccine. These are known as core vaccines, meaning they are required.

Other Species–Other species may require vaccines, and the Veterinarian will discuss those with you and develop a lifetime vaccine protocol for your pet.

My pet doesn’t need vaccines, why do I still need to come in every year?
Even the pets that don’t need vaccines need an annual exam performed by one of our veterinarians. This helps our team get to know you and your pet and what is normal for your pet. Many non-domestic species hide illness well. Annual visits allow us to educate you on any husbandry changes needed. As always, we will want to look at a stool sample every 12 months at minimum.
My pet stays indoors, why do I need heartworm or flea/tick prevention?
All dogs and cats have exposure to heartworms, fleas, and ticks. Even if your pet stays inside 100% of the time, they are exposed to parasites from open doors, windows, and especially from you. Preventing heartworms has never been easier. Our canine patients receive injectable heartworm prevention that lasts for 6-12 months, depending on your dog’s life stage. Our feline friends can cover heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention through an easy topical medication applied to the skin every 8 weeks. In the event that your pet is infected with Heartworms, we can treat your dog. It is a lengthy and costly treatment that requires strict restrictions. There is no treatment for heartworm disease in cats.
I’m not sure I want to spay/neuter my pet.

If you are not a licensed breeder, there is no medical reason to leave your pet unaltered. In addition, if you are not a licensed breeder, it is against the law to have unaltered animals within the city limits. Spaying your female pet protects her against serious health problems later in life, such as breast cancer and a deadly uterine infection known as Pyometra. Neutering your male lessens the risk of testicular cancer and prostate gland conditions.

*These surgeries do not affect your pet’s ability to learn, work, hunt, or play. Undesirable behaviors such as roaming are also usually reduced. *

What should I feed my pet?

It is important for your pet to have a balanced healthy diet. Different life stages require different nutrients. We will discuss your pet’s optimal diet with you. As a general rule, we recommend Purina Pro Plan for our dog and cat patients. Please see the care info for your pet’s species for complete diet recommendations.

I think my pet may have consumed marijuana. What happens now?

First, understand that we are only concerned about your pet’s recovery. As more concentrated forms of medical cannabis have become available in Oklahoma, we are seeing more cases of accidental cannabis ingestion. If you believe your pet may have consumed marijuana in any form, please let us know. If you know how many milligrams were consumed, please let us know. Cannabis can create neurological symptoms in your pet, as well as hyperactivity or depression. We can usually treat and have your pet back to normal in a day or two.

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