Q: How old should my pet be before spaying or neutering?
A: 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 at about 6 months of age. Spaying and neutering help with animal population control and prevent unwanted pets. Just as importantly, spaying and neutering can improve the overall health of your pet, and help in avoiding certain reproductive diseases, prostate issues, and some types of cancer.
Q: Do I need an appointment at Companion Animal Hospital?
A: Yes, appointments are necessary. We know that your time is valuable and in order for us to operate efficiently, we ask that you schedule an appointment ahead of time. Our team will attempt to accommodate all requests to the best of our ability. Please call us at (985) 345-5770 to request an appointment or you can request an appointment using the Ally DVM links here on our website under "Forms". Once you have scheduled, we will get back to you to confirm your appointment and will send you reminders as well.
Q: Why is it important that my pet have an examination or blood tests done yearly?
A: At Companion 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 and blood work. We recommend an examination by your veterinarian every 12 months 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 also 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.
Q: How often does my pet need a dental procedure?
A: We recommend that pets get a dental cleaning at least once a year. Periodontal disease (disease of the structures around the tooth-the gums, bone, and connective tissue) is one of the most common problems that we deal with on a daily basis at Companion Animal Hospital. Periodontal infections, tooth fractures, and oral masses can be sources of serious discomfort for your pet. Additionally, untreated periodontal infections can cause damage to major organs of the body including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Proper veterinary dental care can help prevent your pet from developing painful dental conditions, and can extend their life expectancy as well.
Q: How important is nutrition for my pet?
A: Pets, like people, are unique and individual; they have different needs based on their size, age, and health issues. But no matter what their individual needs are, it is important that pets maintain a healthy weight, eat a nutritious diet, and receive adequate exercise to promote living longer with fewer health issues.
Similar to human food intake, a diet that is low in fat and high in protein is essential to the life of your pet. When pets are overweight, it creates a tendency towards diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, and other chronic health conditions. Using our nutritional counseling services at Companion Animal Hospital will help simplify just what your pet should be eating and how much. We carry a full line of Science Diet and Hill's Prescription foods. These foods are quality nutrition for pets in any life stage.
Q: What if I begin to notice visible fleas and ticks for the first time on my pet?
A: If you notice visible parasites on your pet, call us today and schedule an appointment so that our veterinarians can recommend the appropriate treatment for your pet. Flea and tick preventatives have improved greatly in recent years. These preventatives are safe and effective and come in a wide variety of forms. At Companion Animal Hospital, we fit the preventative product to the pet's problem and environment.
Q: What if my pet has an after-hours problem?
A: Unfortunately, when accidents happen to our pets, they don’t always occur during office hours. If you find yourself in an emergency situation with your pet such as a car accident, trauma, or poisoning after office hours, please call the Companion Animal Hospital at 985-345-5770. A technician will advise you about your pet’s situation and will have one of our veterinarians get with you if possible, or you will be referred to one of the following emergency clinics.
MedVet Mandeville
3561 U.S. Hwy 190
Mandeville, LA 70471
504-835-8508
Or
Sherwood South Animal Hospital & Emergency Center
3803 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225-293-6440
Q:What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?
A: Heartworms are a serious life-threatening, year-round parasitic threat to both indoor and outdoor pets. Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworms are extremely common in the warm, moisture rich environment found in southeast Louisiana.
Heartworm larvae are carried to healthy animals by mosquitoes that have previously bitten infected animals. Unless your pet is taking a heartworm preventative, the microfilaria, larvae of the parasites, will mature into adult worms. Adult heartworms can cause serious damage to the animal’s blood vessels, lungs and heart, and may ultimately cause death.
The best course of action is to have your pets tested regularly for the presence of heartworms and kept on a heartworm preventative regimen for the rest of their lives. Having your pet on a monthly preventative treatment is much less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. There are several options available for the prevention of this potentially life threatening disease. Our doctor will determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on their needs and lifestyle.