Lazy 3 Animal Care FAQs
FAQs
Is it really necessary to bring my dog and/or cat in for a yearly exam?
Examinations are recommended annually to check for any health issues that may not be apparent to owners. During an annual exam, a veterinarian will examine the pet from head to tail including eyes, ears, mouth, heart/lung sounds, skin/haircoat, etc. At this time, the veterinarian can also address any concerns clients have as well as discuss any potential findings noted during the exam.
Does heartworm prevention need to be given year round?
Yes! Mosquitos are present year round across the United States. We recommend having all dogs (both inside and outside dogs) on monthly heartworm prevention year-round as Texas is one of the states with the highest occurrence of heartworm disease.
When should I start my puppy/ dog on heartworm preventative?
We recommend beginning to administer heartworm preventatives as early as 2 months of age—if your puppy or dog is over 6 months of age a negative heartworm test will be required prior to starting on preventative.
Should my dog be on heartworm medication? What happens if I miss a dose of heartworm medication?
Yes. Heartworm disease is very easy to prevent but very difficult and even life threatening to treat. We recommend testing your dog annually for heartworm disease before starting on the preventative. If you miss a dose or doses of heartworm preventative, please consult with us immediately.
What are the benefits of having my pet spayed or neutered?
Spaying or neutering your pets can greatly reduce their risk of developing many types of reproductive cancers and may also decrease or even eliminate unwanted behaviors such as aggression or running off. Spaying a female animal will eliminate the chance of her developing a uterine infection called a pyometra which is a life threatening condition. Spaying or neutering your pets is also the only way to do away with unwanted litters of puppies or kittens without placing an extra burden on animal shelters.
How old does my puppy or kitten have to be to have them spayed or neutered?
We generally recommend waiting until your animal is at least 6 months of age before spaying or neutering.
My animal is having surgery tomorrow. Can it have food and water?
Please restrict their access to both food and water by 10:00pm the night before surgery.
When do you perform routine surgeries?
We currently perform our routine surgeries in the mornings on every weekday (Monday thru Friday).
When can I pick my pet up following their surgery?
We usually allow most all surgery patients to go home the day the surgery is performed. Some exceptions may apply depending on the type of surgical procedure and the animal’s condition. For example, cats that have been declawed and almost all orthopedic cases are required to spend the night in the clinic.
How do I know when my pet needs a dental performed?
Bad breath, inflamed gums, plaque and tartar buildup, and loose teeth are all of great concern when it comes to the health of your animal’s mouth. If you notice any of these signs, please bring your pet in for a dental checkup or schedule a dental cleaning. If your pet’s teeth are not in need of a cleaning at the time of the checkup, we can give you recommendations to help maintain your pet’s overall mouth health such as helpful treats/toys, teeth brushing, and other pet safe dental products. If your animal is at greater risk of complications during anesthesia, we have products that can help improve mouth health and remove plaque and tartar buildup without performing a dental cleaning.
How often should my pets be vaccinated?
We recommend that dogs be vaccinated annually with a version of a “combo” (Distemper, Parvo, Canine Influenza, Canine Hepatitis, Corona and Leptospira) and a Rabies vaccine. We recommend that cats be vaccinated annually with a feline viral respiratory “combo” and Rabies vaccine.
Puppies can begin receiving their “combo” shots as early as 6 weeks old, receiving booster shots every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old. Likewise, kittens can receive their “combo” shots as early as 6 weeks old but only require a single booster 3-4 weeks later.
Both dogs and cats should be at least 12 weeks of age to receive a Rabies vaccine.
Why is my pet scooting its rear on the ground?
There could be several reasons that your pet is scooting their rear on the ground. Your pet may need its anal glands expressed, need to be dewormed, or have other more serious issues. If you notice your pet exhibiting this behavior, please call the clinic (254-631-0816) to make an appointment.
My dog/cat is having puppies/kittens. How long can they go between delivering puppies/kittens?
Please call us (254-631-0816) directly if you have any questions about your pet having puppies or kittens. Dystocia cases vary from animal to animal depending on age, size, and the breed of the animal.
Should I declaw my cat?
While we do not promote declawing of all cats, we recognize that there are certain times and situations that declawing may be necessary for the health and safety of the cat and family. In order to ensure the best outcome while keeping your cat as comfortable as possible, we use multi-modal pain relief techniques, keep them overnight for observation and send home oral antibiotics.
Do I need an appointment for my pet to see a veterinarian?
Scheduled appointments are the preferred and recommended way to see a veterinarian. Walk-in appointments are also welcome and will be worked in and seen by a veterinarian as quick as possible. In the event of an emergency during office hours, all appointments are temporarily put on hold until a veterinarian is available.
How do I transfer my pets records from a previous clinic?
Simply call your previous vet and have medical records faxed or emailed to our office. Should you have copies, you are welcome to drop them by our office. Records can be faxed to 254-631-0780 or emailed to Lazy3animalcareoffice@gmail.com
What types of animals do you see?
Lazy 3 Animal Care welcomes all breeds of dogs, cats, pocket pets, rabbits, birds, snakes, goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, horses, llamas, alpacas, deer, & exotics.
Do you make house calls?
We understand that it is not always possible to bring your pet in to see us. In these instances, we are happy to offer house calls, during which a doctor and technician will come to your home to provide the necessary medical care for your pet. A one way mileage fee will apply.
We just found a stray pet. What should we do?
Check the pet for a collar and/or tags. If none are present, feel free to drop by our office to have the pet scanned for a microchip. If no microchip is present, it is recommended that the pet be kept in a safe pen while you look for the owners, check on social media, or check with the area animal control officer to see if anyone has reported a dog missing.
Where do I take my pet in case of emergency?
If there is an emergency during business hours, simply call our office (254-631-0816) ahead of time so we know what to expect when you arrive with your pet. If there is an emergency after hours, please call our office (254-631-0816) and listen to the complete answering machine message. It will give you the on call Doctor’s phone number.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Check (with a Drivers License), MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Money Orders, Cashiers Checks & Scratchpay.
Can I make payments or do you have a payment plan?
Payment in full is expected at the time of service, unless you make arrangements with the doctor BEFORE any treatment to your animal is done. We understand emergencies can not be planned, so for your convenience we do offer ScratchPay, an easy to use loan app.
What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening and why is it necessary?
This is a series of blood tests that are run here in the clinic prior to surgery. The results are used to determine if your pet’s liver, kidneys, and other vital organs are healthy enough to handle anesthesia. In addition, these tests also determine the blood clotting function of your pet. This is very important information in assessing any potential bleeding disorders which, if present, can turn out to be fatal due to surgery. We strongly recommend pre-anesthetic blood work for our surgical patients, but especially senior pets or pets that have underlying physical conditions.
How long do the sutures stay in after my pet’s procedure?
All our routine surgeries are done with subcuticular sutures that dissolve so you do not need to bring your pet back . If your pet’s procedure required external sutures or stapling, these are usually removed 10-14 days following the procedure.
Will my pet be fully monitored during surgery?
All of our surgical patients are fully monitored during procedures to ensure their safety. We monitor each of our patient’s pulse (heart) rate, and respiration during each and every surgery. Each patient is also cared for personally by a veterinary technician until they are awake.
Is anesthesia safe for my pet?
At Lazy 3 Animal Care, we use the safest form of anesthesia available. Although no anesthesia is 100% safe, we do complete physicals prior to anesthesia and strongly recommend pre-anesthetic blood work in order to minimize any complications.