When should new puppies and kittens come in for their first visit?
Puppies should have their initial examination around 6-8 weeks and kittens around 9 weeks of age if there are no signs of any problems or concerns. Multiple immunizations at different visits will be required to get your new pet’s immune system ready for exposure to the environment outside your home. Puppies and kittens are highly susceptible to viruses, infections, and/or parasites and proper early care and screening help to give your new baby the best start in life.
How safe is my pet's procedure?
Each individual procedure will vary from pet to pet and condition to condition. As with humans, the older the individual the more precaution needs to be taken. Typically, a physical examination, review of the patients' medical history and blood work are recommended with older patients. These precautions will make a procedure as safe as possible with a senior pet.
Why does my indoor pet need heartworm preventatives?
Indoor pets need heartworm preventives because heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, and mosquitoes can certainly enter our homes. Both dogs and cats should be on heartworm preventives.
How important is nutrition for my pet?
Similar to human food intake, a diet that is low in fat and high in protein is essential to the life of your pet. Pinson Animal Hospital offers the newest and most efficient food for your pet available today.
What if I begin to notice visible parasites for the first time on my pet?
Flea and tick preventatives have improved greatly in recent years. These preventatives are safe and effective in a wide variety of forms. At Pinson Animal Hospital, we fit the preventative product to the pet's problem and environment. Parasite control is of great importance to eliminate disease carrying parasites.
How often should my pet have an exam and blood work?
At Pinson Animal Hospital, we believe that the best way to prolong the relationship you share with your pet is to identify disease processes early and prevent the progression of chronic illness, before it becomes a problem. To keep tabs on your pet’s overall health, it is important to maintain annual exams for healthy pets under the age of 7, and every 6 months for healthy senior patients. Those pets with chronic disease or mobility issues may require examination on a more frequent basis. We recommend annual blood work profiles to provide a continuous record for our veterinarian to identify trends and specific areas to focus on in an effort to prolong the duration and quality of life of our patients.
What financing options do you offer or is payment expected at time of service?
We offer CareCredit and payment is expected at the time of service.
What if my pet has an after-hours problem?
For after-hours emergencies, we recommend:
Emergency Pet Care Trussville
7299 Gadsden Hwy
Trussville, AL 35173
Phone: 205-661-2273
Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham
146 Resource Center Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone: 205-967-9107
Steel City Emergency Vets
1900 Hoover Court
Hoover, AL 35226
Phone: 205-413-8989
At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?
There are several factors that help determine the best age for spaying and neutering including your pet’s breed (larger breeds wait longer) and individual health status. Typical spaying and neutering for most pets not used for breeding purposes is usually recommended between 4 and 6 months of age.