Why does my pet need to come in annually if she got the three year rabies vaccine?

Because dogs and cats age much more quickly than humans.  An annual exam is very important for early detection of disease.  Only the Rabies vaccine has been proven to last for three years, so other vaccines should be administered annually.  Due to our rural location, pets in the Four Corners are exposed to a large population of feral, and or unvaccinated animals.  Protection from preventable diseases remains of utmost importance.

  How do I know when my pet needs to see a doctor?

You know your pet's behavior and patterns best.  Any significant change in appetite, thirst, weight, hair coat or activity level should be addressed immediately. Vomiting, coughing, itching, limping are all indications that your animal should be seen.  Any cases of trauma, seizure, bleeding, difficulty breathing or painful eyes may constitute an emergency. Please call or page our staff immediately.

  Why are microchips important?

Microchips represent an additional identification system for locating the owners of lost pets.  Microchips, encoded with unique numbers, are the size of a grain of rice and are implanted under the skin of your pet.  Scanners at most shelters and hospitals read the numbers from the chip to identify an owner's location and phone number, which can be very important in the case of an emergency.  Microchips DO NOT act as GPS devices.

  Why does my dog's bandage need to stay dry?

Wounds heal best when they are both dry and protected from constant irritation.  Wet bandages act as a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to chafing, both of which delay healing.  All casts, bandages and splints should be kept as clean and as dry as possible.  If it is wet outdoors, your pet's bandage should be covered with a plastic bag to prevent moisture from wicking in, however it is important to remove the plastic from the bandage as soon as possible to prevent the paw from sweating inside the bandage.  Duct tape on the outside of a bandage also prevents breathing and leads to sweaty feet.

  Why are dental cleanings so expensive?

Dogs and cats require general anesthesia in order for teeth to be cleaned.  The price of the anesthesia and monitoring add to the cost of the procedure.  It is both ineffective and inhumane to attempt to properly clean an animal's teeth without anesthesia.

  Why do you recommend pre-anesthetic blood work?

Your animal's body is changing continually.  Pre-anesthetic blood work gives us a snapshot of the animal's health the day of their procedure.  Early detection of any physiologic abnormality will lead to better treatment.  In some cases we may alter our anesthetic protocol or even delay the procedure until further treatment can be given.

  What should I do if my dog gets porcupine quilled?

Call our hospital immediately.  Porcupine quills are barbed and more painful coming out than going in to your pet's body.  It is very difficult and potentially dangerous to remove porcupine quills yourself.  We will sedate your pet in order to pull the quills out.  PLEASE DO NOT cut the tips off of quills.  This actually makes them harder to remove.
 

  Why can't I just pick up more medication, if I know my dog has the same problem as last time?

Similar problems are not always caused by the same disease.  For example, an animal who is urinating frequently, may have a bladder infection, kidney disease or diabetes.  Furthermore, it is illegal for a veterinarian to prescribe medication without first seeing the patient to formulate a working diagnosis.  Outdated medication may be ineffective and/or dangerous.