
	FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a Question below:

What is diabetes mellitus?
My dog is scooting, Why?
What should I feed my puppy/kitten?
How soon can I bathe my puppy/kitten? What should I use?
How old do dogs and cats need to be for spaying/neutering?
Can I spay during heat?
My dog cannot be pregnant, but why are her breast swollen?
Why should I not give my dog table scraps or cook for him "Human food?"
Should my pet eat wet (canned) food, dry or a combination of both?
Is it true that giving my cat only fish flavored food is bad?
What's a good treat for my dog?

*What is diabetes mellitus?* There are two forms of diabetes: diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus is a very rare disorder that results in failure to regulate body water content. The more common type of diabetes is diabetes mellitus. This disease is seen on a fairly regular basis, usually in animals 5 years of age or older. Simply put, diabetes mellitus a failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. The pancreas is a small but vital organ that is located near the stomach. It has two significant populations of cells. One group of cells produces the enzymes necessary for proper digestion. The other group, called beta-cells, produces the hormone called insulin which regulates the level of sugar in the blood.

*My dog is scooting, Why?* Dogs usually scoot because they are experiencing pain or discomfort from anal glands that are either excessively full or even infected. It is best to schedule an appointment to have a doctor evaluate your pet. (NOTE: cats can also have problem with anal glands, however they usually do not scoot. It is more common for cats to bite the area around their anus)

*What should I feed my puppy/kitten?* As long as the puppy/kitten has been completely weaned from its mother. It's recommended to feed any good quality puppy/kitten food. These can be obtained at any pet store and at the Rutherford Animal Hospital. They can be fed either wet/canned food, dry food or a combination of both. The single most important parameter to monitor is daily weight gain. If a puppy or kitten fails to gain weight every single day up the time its 6-7 weeks old then it should be examined by a veterinarian.

*How soon can I bathe my puppy/kitten? What should I use?* Puppies and Kittens can be bathed at any time after they have been weaned. Any shampoo labeled for use in puppies/kittens is recommended. Human shampoos are not advised given that they can be too harsh. Owners should be advised to use warm water, dry the pets with a towel and keep them in a draft free area until completely dry. Extreme caution should be taken if a blow dryer is used given that puppies and kittens can overheat very easily.

*How old do dogs and cats need to be for spaying/neutering?* A good rule of thumb is 5-6 months of age. This will ensure that females are spayed PRIOR to their first heat. We can do it as young at 12 weeks or anytime after for older animals that weren't spayed as adolescents. Their is no maximum age for spaying/neutering if the animals are healthy.

*Can I spay during heat?* Yes, we can spay an animal at anytime during it's reproductive cycle. However, we prefer not to do it. During an animals heat the uterus is engorged with blood, this makes the surgery longer as the surgeon must take extra care with the tissues. The risk of complications (hemorrhage) increase during heat. The cost of spaying an animal in heat is slightly greater than a spay in a normal animal, this increase in cost reflects the greater length of anesthesia.

*My dog cannot be pregnant, but why are her breast swollen?* If an owner is seeing swollen breast then advise an office visit. the 4 most common reasons are: A) False pregnancy: If non-spayed hormonal changes may mimic pregnancy B) Mastitis: mammary gland infection/inflammation C) Cancer D) Pregnancy: unless pet is spayed

*Why should I not give my dog table scraps or cook for him "Human food?"* Even the best intentioned owner who cooks for their pet will most likely feed a nutritionally unbalanced diet, unless they specifically obtain a recipe from a veterinarian. A very common misconception is that feeding a dog chicken cutlets or steak, is better than dog food. Without taking great care in preparing a home cooked diet, it will not contain the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein etc. that animals need. The advantage of feeding a commercial pet food is that they are specifically formulated to contain all the nutrients that have been determined to be necessary for healthy growth and development. Through research and nutritional studies food companies have been able to determine exactly which nutrients are required in your pets diet. These requirements are not the same as those for humans. That is why a human diet is not appropriate.

*Should my pet eat wet (canned) food, dry or a combination of both?* Both wet and dry foods provide all the nutrients that your pet need. There for unless specifically instructed by one of the doctors an owner can feed either wet or dry or a combination of both. Wet food: More expensive given that owners are paying for a large % water. This amount of water may be beneficial to cats with urinary tract problems. Dry food: Cheaper than wet food, may be healthier for teeth if the dog chews the kibbles vs swallowing whole.

*Is it true that giving my cat only fish flavored food is bad?* This is not true. Fish flavored cat food will provide all the nutritional requirements for cats. You should however NOT feed fresh fish exclusively as it may cause a nutritional deficiency.

*What's a good treat for my dog?* The ideal treat should be low in calories, fun to eat, entertaining and healthy. One of the best treats you can give dogs is ICE. Most dogs love to play with it and since its water it is healthy. Other good choices are small (~1/2 inch) pieces of vegetables and fruit. Carrots and green pepper are usually well accepted. (We now sell carrot bone treats. They are healthy, 100% natural, 100% digestible and relatively low in calories. Best suited for small to medium breeds)