FAQs

Most dogs with dew claws attached are in perfect health. Removing dew claws is not a necessity, rather a preference some pet owners have. Dew claw removal is recommended for pets who dig frequently and are at risk for ripping the claws off, a painful and unnecessary experience. If you prefer to have your dog’s dew claws removed, mention it at your pet’s veterinary exam prior to their spay or neuter surgery. Oftentimes, your vet can remove the claws during the same procedure.

The age at which pets lose teeth varies. Most dogs lose their deciduous teeth between the ages of five to eight months, while cats lose theirs between the ages of three to six months. Unlike humans, pets will lose teeth as their adult teeth grow in and push deciduous teeth out. You will not need to pull on teeth to help remove them.

Some pet breeds are more susceptible to excessive eye discharge. For pets with lighter fur, this discharge may stain the area around the eyes, causing a pet to look unclean. Cleaning these ocular secretions is extremely important, as a build-up of eye fluid may cause harmful bacterial infections. There are numerous products available at pet stores that clean and sanitize eye secretions. If you opt not to purchase a special product, you can use a clean, damp cloth to gently remove eye discharge, but avoid making contact with the eye itself.

Clipping the points off cat claws can prevent damage to furniture, stop your pet from getting an ingrown nail, or avoid having their nails grow so long they injure themselves. Clipping claws is not necessary, but many veterinary professionals recommend it, and some practices will even clip them for you during annual wellness exams. In some regions, clipping claws is not recommended for outdoor cats. Be sure to ask your veterinarian whether it is a good decision for your cat.

Cats typically do not need grooming. They are inclined to clean themselves and have a tongue meant for cleaning fur. Occasionally, your cat may trample through mud and require a bath, but these instances are rare. However, if you have an allergy sufferer in your home, bathing your cat may improve their condition. Cats do benefit from periodic brushing, especially cats with longer hair. A pet owner might consider having their longer haired cat shaved during hot summer months, but this is entirely elective and is not necessary.

Most pet owners believe that shaving their dog during summer months helps them keep cool; however, thicker coated breeds have an internal thermostat that allows their body to adjust to warmer weather and self-regulate their internal temperature, so they do not need to be shaved. Shaving a dog that is not used to having short hair allows them to be exposed to harmful UV rays, particularly for outdoor dogs. You are much better off providing an outdoor dog with adequate shade and a pool of water to cool off in. Also, shaving some breeds can cause permanent damage to their coat. Consult with a certified pet groomer about the consequences of shaving your pet prior to cutting their hair.

Female pets that are not spayed will enter a heat cycle and menstruate. Similar to human women, if a pet is not impregnated during her heat cycle, she will shed her uterine lining and bleed. Purchasing pet-specific diapers will help absorb any bodily fluid that your pet may excrete. If a pet refuses to wear the diapers, confine them to a room with an easy-to-clean floor. If you do not want your menstruating dog to become impregnated, prevent them from situations where a male pet may mount them. Male pets can smell a female’s heat cycle and will try everything possible to get to your female pet.

Most dogs menstruate continuously for 21 days, approximately every 6 months. Cats’ cycles last 4 to 10 days but occur more frequently than dogs, about once every 8 to 12 weeks.

If you do not plan on breeding your pet, have them spayed. Spaying female pets prevents numerous health issues including some life-threatening diseases.

There are numerous reasons why dogs eat their feces. The medical term for the act is called coprophagy. Reasons can include: 

• A dog is ashamed for defecating and eats it to “hide the evidence”. 
• A dog is bored and knows eating fecal matter gets an owner’s attention, which is what they’re really after. 
• The dog is not getting full nutritional value from their food, and feces contain undigested food that the dog finds appetizing.

How to get your pet to stop: 

• Add enzyme supplements to their diet, or purchase a higher grade dog food to promote digestion and prevent feces from containing “appetizing”, undigested portions. 
• Add pumpkin, spinach, or pineapple to the dog’s diet. These foods are believed to taste horrible the second time around. • Clean up after your dog on a daily basis, limiting their access to pet waste.
• Cover the fecal matter with a repulsive substance such as Tobasco sauce or cayenne pepper.

Circling their sleeping place is one of the many “wild” habits that canines never evolved away from. In the wild, dogs would circle a grassy area to trample down grass and make a comfortable surface to lie on. Circling is also how dogs mark their territory, so it is possible they are also staking claim to the surface upon which they are going to lie down. Some dogs will dig at the surface they are going to lie on. Again, this is a method of making the area more comfortable.

Cats refuse their litter box for several reasons. The reason why your cat chooses not to use the litter box depends on where they are opting to go instead. Cats who start to relieve themselves just outside the litter box are trying to signal you to clean the box. No pet likes to step in their own waste so perhaps the litter box is too full for your cat to comfortably “go” in. If your cat is seemingly having accidents around the entire house, they may have a urinary tract infection and will need immediate veterinary assistance. If you are unsure why your cat is refusing their litter box, it’s best to schedule a veterinary exam to be sure the problem isn’t caused by a serious medical issue.

Dogs’ testicles drop at various times between the ages of 4 to 9 months. Often pet owners will push on their dog’s testicles in an attempt to feel for them, but doing so can actually cause harm. If your pet has reached one year of age and still has not had their testicles drop, schedule a veterinary exam.

Veterinarians are in disagreement regarding why pets snack on plants, including grass. Some feel that dogs instinctually chew grass because it was once a primary source of food for wild dogs. Some veterinarians insist that pets know it eliminates stomach pain or can induce vomiting, allowing a pet to rid themselves of something that is bothering their gastrointestinal tract. Other pet experts argue that pets eat grass because their diet has a nutritional imbalance that grass can correct.

Regardless of why your pet gnaws on grass, veterinarians are in agreement that it is not detrimental to your pet’s health.

Similar to eating grass, veterinarians and pet experts don’t fully understand why cats perform the kneading ritual. Several theories about why cats knead include: 

• An increasing urge for a mate during their heat cycle. 
• Attempting to soften bedding or make a more comfortable place to lie down.
• Having never grown out of the habit from their kitten years, cats continue to knead thinking it will produce milk. 
• Leave the scent from their foot pads in areas they wish to mark as their territory. 
• Signifies a form of flattery when kneading an owner. 
• Stimulating milk flow from their mother’s nipples.

Broodmares
5th Month – Rhino
7th Month – Rhino
9th Month – Rhino
10th Month – Flu, Rhino, Tetanus, Eastern and Western Encephalitis & West Nile

First Vaccines
Foal:
6 Months - Flu, Rhino, Tetanus, Eastern and Western Encephalitis, West Nile
7 months - Flu, Rhino, Tetanus, Eastern and Western Encephalitis, West Nile
8 months – Flu, Rhino

Adults:
Spring - Flu, Rhino, Eastern and Western Encephalitis, West Nile, Tetanus
Fall - Flu, Rhino, Rabies

Optional Based on Exposure - Strangles, Potomac Horse Fever
Adults not previously vaccinated require booster vaccine 3-4 weeks after the initial vaccines.

Flu (Influenza) -Flu is a virus that causes respiratory infections, and will be passed from horse to horse. Vaccinate for Flu every year if not traveling much or every 3 to 6 months if riding and traveling often.

Rhino (Equine Herpes Virus) - Rhino is a virus that causes respiratory infections, neurological infections and abortions.  It is passed from horse to horse.  Vaccinate for Rhino every year if not traveling much or every 3 to 6 months if riding and traveling often. 

Eastern and Western Encephalitis – These viruses are passed by mosquitoes and cause neurological infections.  Vaccinate for them every year.

West Nile - This virus is passed by mosquitoes and causes neurological infections.  Vaccinate for West Nile every year if not traveling much or every 3 to 6 months if riding and traveling often.

Tetanus – Tetanus is a bacterium that lives in the soil, gets into wounds, and releases toxins. Vaccinate for Tetaus every year. A booster vaccine should be given if your horse has is wounded and has not received a vaccine in the past 6 months.

Rabies – Rabies is a virus that is passed by bite wounds and fatal if contracted. Vaccinate for Rabies every year.
 
Strangles – Strangles is a bacteria that causes the lymph nodes to develop abscesses. It is passed from horse to horse.  Give once a year.

Potomac Horse Fever – This is caused by a type of tiny bacteria.  It causes fever, depression, poor appetite, and in most cases, diarrhea.  Give once a year.

When and how should I deworm my horse?
Equine Deworming Guidelines

Option#1 - Fecals Egg Per Gram (EPG) Counts:
The best deworming program for your horse is biannual EPG counts. Bring one apple of feces to us in the spring and fall and we will tell you how many worm eggs are in each gram of feces. Based on this information, we customize a deworming program to the needs of your horse. You may even save money by deworming fewer times each year.

Option#2 - Deworming Without Fecals:

Adults
Deworm every eight weeks rotating with Ivermectin, Pyrantel Pamoate, and Fenbendazole. Use Ivermectin at every other deworming and rotate Pyrantel Pamoate and Fenbendazole in between. For tapeworm prevention substitute an Ivermectin with Praziquantel for one plain Ivermectin annually.

Example:
First year
January – Ivermectin
March – Pyrantel Pamoate
May – Ivermectin
July – Fenbendazole
September – Ivermectin with Praziquantel
November - Pyrantel Pamoate

Second year
January - Ivermectin
March - Fenbendazole
May - Ivermectin
July – Pyrantel Pamoate
September – Ivermectin with Praziquantel
November - Fenbendazole

Foals
Starting at four weeks of age, deworm your foals every four weeks rotating with Ivermectin, Pyrantel Pamoate, and Fenbendazole. Use Ivermectin at every other deworming and rotate Pyrantel Pamoate and Fenbenadazol in between. For tapeworm prevention substitute an Ivermectin with Praziquantel for one plain Ivermectin annually.

Option#3 - Daily Deworming Program:
Daily – Strongid C2x (Pyrantel Tartrate)
Spring – Ivermectin
Fall - Ivermectin with Praziquantel

What vaccines should my goat have?

Pregnant Does
Last Month of Pregnancy Clostridium perfringens type C and D & C. Tetani

Kids from Immunized Dams
1 to 2 months of age- Clostridium perfringens type C and D & C. Tetani
****Repeat immunization in 3-4 weeks****

Kids from NON-Immunized Dams
1 to 3 weeks of age- Clostridium perfringens type C and D & C. Tetani
****Repeat immunization twice at 3 to 4 week intervals****

Bucks and Yearlings
Immunize Bucks and Yearlings at the same time pregnant does are vaccinated with an emphasis on Clostridium species.
Optional: Rabies, Leptospirosis

Breeding Does
Before Breeding - Chlamydia
Campylobacter
Mid-Gestation - (repeat) Chlamydia
(repeat) Campylobacter

Goat Deworming:
When should I deworm my goat and what with?

Goat Deworming Guidelines
Use the same dewormer until you have proven resistance. Resistance can be proven by fecal egg counts. If you suspect resistance, take a fecal sample before you deworm and again 10 days after deworming. The second egg count should be reduced by 90%. Deworm your goats in the spring before the grass starts to grow. When rain comes after a drought, deworm 10-14 days after the rain. Parasite eggs don’t hatch during dry periods, but a large amount do hatch after rain. For best results, rotate all your animals to a new pasture after every deworming. The old pasture should then be rested (with no animal on it) for 3 months if summer and 6 months if winter. This is enough time for the worms in the pasture to die out.

Dewormers Used in Goats:
Ivermectin - use the 1% injectable labeled for cattle and swine. Give 1ml/70# by mouth.

Fenbendazole - use the 10% suspension. Give 2ml/50# by mouth. Fenbendazole can be repeated once a day for a total of 3 treatments.

Levamisole - Give 8mg/kg by mouth.

Moxidectin - Use the cattle product called Cydectin. Give 2ml/45# by mouth.
Deworm after the first frost.

What vaccines should my beef cattle have?

Within 12 hours of birth:
Bar-Guard – 99 (E. Coli) and Calf-Guard (Rota and Corona Virus)

2-3 months old:
Modified Live IBR, BVD, PI 3, BRSV + L5
7-Way Clostridium
Mannheimia & Pasteurella

4-6 months old or weaning:
Modified Live IBR, BVD, PI 3, BRSV + L5
**Do not give Modified Live Vaccines to calves that are nursing pregnant cows unless the cows have received a Modified Live Vaccine**
Weaning 7-Way
Mannheimia & Pasteurella

12 Months, Pre-Breeding:
Modified Live IBR, BVD, PI 3, BRSV, Campylobacter, + L5
7-Way Clostridium

7 month pregnant heifers & dry cows previously vaccinated with Modified Live Vaccine:
Modified Live IBR, BVD, PI 3, BRSV + L5
7-Way Clostridium
Scourgard 4 K/C

7 month pregnant heifers & cows NOT previously vaccinated with Modified Live Vaccine:
Killed IBR, BVD, PI 3, BRSV + L5
7-Way Clostridium
Scourgard 4 K/C

Close up heifers & cows 2-4 weeks before calving:
Scourard 4 K/C

Pre-Breeding Cows:
Modified Live IBR, BVD, PI 3, BRSV, Campylobacter + L5
7-Way Clostridium
Cows and Heifers not previously vaccinated with Scourgard or Killed IBR, BVD, PI 3, BRSV + L5, need boostered within 3-4 weeks after first vaccination.

Optional:
Rabies
Spirovac- for extra Leptospira protection, if needed, on farm

How do I Vaccinate and Deworm my Cat?

Feline Vaccinations
Cats require three vaccines, an upper respiratory (FVRCP), Rabies, and Feline Leukemia. Use one of the following protocols depending on your cat's age and vaccination status:

Kittens Under 15 weeks:
6 weeks - FVRCP
9 weeks - FVRCP, Leukemia
12 weeks - FVRCP, Leukemia (Leukemia is good for 2 years at this point.)
15 weeks - FVRCP, Rabies (These vaccines are good for 1 year at this point.)

Kittens Over 15 weeks & Cats That Have Never Been Vaccinated:
First visit - FVRCP, Leukemia, & Rabies (Rabies is good for 1year and the other vaccines are good for 3 weeks at this point.)
Second visit - FVRCP & Leukemia (FVRCP are good for 1 year, and Leukemia is good for 2 years at this point at this point)

Cats That Have Been Vaccinated Before:
At yearly exam - FVRCP (every three years)
Leukemia (every other year)
Rabies (every three years)

Feline Deworming Guidelines
Every cat should be treated with a preventative for fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms every month. There are a variety of products available. Your vet can help decide what is best to use on your cat.

How do I vaccinate and deworm my dog?

Canine Vaccinations
Dogs require three vaccines, a Distemper/Parvo/Leptospriosis combo, Rabies, and Bordetella (kennel cough). Use one of the following protocols depending on your dog's age and vaccination satus.

Puppies Under 15 weeks:
6 weeks - Distemper/parvo combo
9 weeks - Distemper/parvo combo
12 weeks - Distemper/parvo/lepto combo
15 weeks - Distemper/parvo/lepto combo, Rabies (At this point the puppy will be good for 1 year.)
If your puppy will using boarding kennels, groomer, dog parks, or training classes a Bordetella vaccine at one of these visits is recommended.

Puppies Over 15 weeks & Dogs That Have Never Been Vaccinated:
First visit - Distemper/Prvo/Lpto combo, Rabies, & Bordetella if exposure is possible. (Rabies and Bordetella are good for 1 year at this point)
Second visit - Distemper/Parvo/Lepto combo (good for 1 year at this point)

Dogs That Have Been Vaccinated Before:
At yearly exam - Distemper/parvo combo (every three years)
Leptospirosis (every year)
Rabies (every three years)
Bordetella (every year based on exposure)

Canine Deworming Guidelines
Every dog should be treated with a preventative for fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms every month. There are a variety of products available. Your vet can help decide what is best to use on your dog.