Lucerne Veterinary Hospital FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What types of pets are treated at LVH?
We treat dogs and cats only.

When should I start flea and tick prevention?
We recommend beginning flea and tick prevention in April. Deer ticks are most commonly found in the early spring and fall, and dog ticks are prevalent all summer. Fleas are first seen during hot, humid weather - July and August - and persist until we've had a few hard frosts. Fleas can be troublesome all year because of the immature stages that can lie dormant for weeks or months in your house. Click here for more about external parasite prevention.

When should I start heartworm prevention?
We recommend beginning heartworm prevention in June and continuing through November (six months). Because the heartworm preventatives also control intestinal parasites, we may recommend year-round medications for dogs that are at a higher risk for contracting them. Dogs that board, go to day care or training classes, or socialize with other dogs that do participate in these activities have a higher risk of intestinal parasites. It is also a good idea for dogs that are around young children to remain on preventative year-round because a few parasites can be transmitted to children. Click here for more about internal parasite prevention.

When should I spay or neuter?
Puppies and kittens should be spayed (females) or neutered (males) when they are between 4 and 6 months of age. Females should be spayed before their first heat cycle. Altering eliminates unwanted litters and reduces the later risks of diseases of the sexual organs (infections and cancers are common in older, intact pets).

Why is pre-anesthetic bloodwork important?
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork checks for liver and kidney issues that may not be apparent during an exam. While older pets have a greater chance of having issues, even young pets can have undetected problems. Pre-anesthetic testing gives us a better picture of your pet's overall health and enables us to modify our anesthesia plan to make the procedure as safe as possible.

Why does my pet need his teeth cleaned?
Just like people, pets need good dental care. Daily brushing with pet-specific toothpaste is recommended, as well as yearly professional cleanings. It's not just bad breath we're concerned about, although that's often the first indicator that a professional cleaning is needed. Bacteria from the plaque and tartar on your pet's teeth circulate in the bloodstream and can cause infections and other problems in the heart, liver and kidneys. Bad teeth and infected mouths are often painful and can cause a pet to stop eating.

Why does my pet need an exam?
Annual exams are an important part of keeping your pet healthy. Because dogs and cats age faster than people do, their health status can change quickly from year to year. Annual exams allow us to keep on top of those changes and make healthcare recommendations based on your pets' needs. Sometimes twice-yearly exams are recommended for aging pets and those with chronic health issues. Pets over the age of 8 years (5 years for large breed dogs) are considered geriatric and are at higher risk for age-related diseases like cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver diseases and arthritis. Cats in particular are very good at hiding symptoms, and disease processes can be advanced before signs of illness are noticeable. So while regular exams cannot prevent certain diseases, it can allow us to begin treating problems at an earlier stage, giving your pet a better quality of life.

Need more information about vaccinations and other preventive care?
Click here for more about preventive care.