Frequently Asked Questions

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What types of animals does Care Animal Hospital see?

At Care Animal Hospital we treat mostly dogs and cats.  In addition the doctors and staff are experienced in treating birds and exotics, such as mice, hamsters, rats, sugar glider, guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ferrets, mini pigs, pygmy goats, lambs, lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, finches, canaries, parakeets, cockatiels, lovebirds, budgies, cockatoos, parrots, macaw, chickens, ducks, turkeys & peacocks.  If you don’t see your type of pet listed, just call us (951) 676-4690.

When should I spay or neuter my puppy, kitten or bunny?

Care Animal Hospital recommends spaying or neutering puppies, kittens and bunnies between 4-6 months, as long as they are over 2 pounds.  Current veterinary literature shows there are proven medical benefits to spaying and neutering at this age including reduced incidence of some cancers and infection.  While there has been some discussion about waiting until the pets are more mature for a variety of reasons, at this time, there is not definitive scientific studies showing a medical benefit to waiting.

When does my puppy or kitten need vaccines?

At Care Animal Hospital vaccination schedules are a matter of science and must be tailored to a pet’s individual needs.   In general, puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccinations every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age, starting at 7-8 weeks of age. After the first year of vaccines, boosters of core vaccines are generally given on a three-year cycle.

When can my puppy go out in public?

It is not a matter of the puppy in a public setting as it is the nature of the bad viruses that your puppy is exposed to.

Parvo virus is the most deadly virus especially for puppies. The transmission is from another dogs infected feces, so keep your puppy away from any other dog’s feces.  Kennel cough, or upper respiratory infections, are nose to nose transmitted infection and vaccinations are started at 8 weeks of age.

The principal of vaccination is that puppies do not have a fully functioning immune system and their vaccines are not completely effective until their last vaccination at 4 months of age.  Consult with us regarding specific concerns or questions regarding vaccines and contagious infections.

Does Flea, Tick and Heartworm prevention need to be given year-round?

Yes!  Fleas, Ticks & Mosquitos are present year-round in our area where temperatures remain warm for much of the year.  It is important to protect your pet to prevent unwanted infestations and the diseases that can be contracted from these parasites.

How often should I bring in my pet for an exam?

Comprehensive examinations are recommended at least yearly for younger pets to check for health issues that may not be apparent to the owners.  During a comprehensive examination, our veterinarians will exam your pet’s eyes, ears, skin and hair coat, listen to their heart & lungs and discuss any concerns you might have.  If your pet is over 7 years, then exams are recommended at least twice yearly since animals age more quickly than humans.

Why does my pet need bloodwork done?

Bloodwork gives the doctor a look into the health and function of the major internal organs, as well as other blood parameters.  Many medications can benefit our pets in a multitude of ways, however some of them require monitoring in order to be safe and effective for your pet.  

Monitoring ensures that your pet is receiving an effective dosage of medication as these requirements many changes.  Other medications may have side effects related to previously undetected issues with organ systems, such as kidney or liver.  Monitoring bloodwork for these changes and adjusting types or dosages of medication are important to keep your pet healthy for as long as possible.

When does my pet need a fecal exam, and why?

It is recommended that a fecal sample be checked for new puppies or kittens.  Many young pets have internal parasites that need to be treated. If pets present with stomach or intestinal problems, they need to have a fecal test.  

On some occasion’s diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss are symptoms of intestinal worms, but there are many other types of intestinal parasites that may go undetected without running test.  Some of these intestinal parasites are zoonotic, meaning they are transmittable to humans. This makes routine testing for intestinal parasites important to both the health of pets and humans.

Do you take pet insurance?

Pet Insurance is a tremendous benefit to pet owners for reimbursement for veterinary expenses. There are many different insurance companies that provide pet insurance. Your research will help you decide the best company, policy and plan for your pet family. We recommend comparing multiple policies before choosing.  Important things to consider are deductible levels, percentage of claim paid, whether or not the claim is based on the actual cost or a predetermined value and what happens with pre-existing or breed specific issues.

These helpful web sites will assist with your search for the best company.
www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/pet-insurance
www.top10petinsurancereviews.com
www.consumersadvocate.org/pet-insurance

If you have questions or need help, call us at Care Animal Hospital and we will help you find answers.

We just found a stray pet, what should we do?

Check the pet for a collar or tags.  If none a present you can come in, and we can check the pet for a microchip.  If no microchip is present, look for posted signs in your neighborhood. Also call Animal Control which is Animal Friends of the Valley, 951 674 0618 and Riverside County Department of Animal Services, 951 358 7387.  You can post on lost dog sites such as Facebook Lost and Found Pets Temecula, Nextdoor and Pawboost).