Frequently Asked Questions  

Should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

Generally we do recommend that all pets be spayed or neutered. Only animals which are intended for show purposes or breeding should be left intact. There are many reasons for these procedures. First, there is a dramatic pet overpopulation problem, so spaying or neutering is the responsible thing to do. But there are actually numerous health benefits. In females, spaying before the first heat drastically cuts the risk of mammary cancer. Spaying also will prevent a life threatening condition called pyometra (a massive uterine infection), which we commonly see in older intact females. In males, neutering prevents prostate infections, benign prostatic enlargement, certain anal tumors, and a type of hernia which occurs in older intact male dogs. It also reduces roaming which causes pets to become lost or injured. Pets should be spayed or neutered between 5 & 6 months of age.

  What is Heartworm and should my pet be on heartworm preventative?

Heartworm is a mosquito-borne parasite which is very common in the southeastern United States. The parasite lives in the pulmonary artery which is the great blood vessel carrying blood from the heart to the lungs. Heartworm is a serious and life threatening disease. Heartworm is far more prevalent in dogs, but cats are affectedas well. The good news is that it is very easy to prevent. We recommend that all cats and dogs be on a heartworm preventative medication.

  What are intestinal parasites and should my pet be dewormed?

There are many types of intestinal parasites that affect dogs and cats. The most common symptom of intestinal parasites is diarrhea, but some patients may be asymptomatic.  Roundworms and hookworms are common in puppies & kittens and have the potential to cause harm in human beings too. All puppies and kittens or any new pet should be dewormed by a veterinarian. A stool sample should also be analyzed to evaluate for parasites at least once per year. Many of the heartworm preventatives we recommend also help control intestinal parasites on a monthly basis.

  What are Feline Leukemia and Feline AIDS/FIV?

These are viral diseases of cats which may initially have no signs, but eventually cause life threatening immune system suppression and even cancer. These are diseases of cats only and do not pose a risk to people or dogs. Feline AIDS/FIV is spread through bite wounds and mating. Feline Leukemia is spread by close association between cats, such as sharing food bowls or grooming. We recommend that all new kittens be tested – especially for Feline Leukemia as it is commonly spread from mother to kitten. Cats who go outside at all should be vaccinated for Feline Leukemia.

  How often should my pet be vaccinated?

Puppies and Kittens need a series of vaccines starting between 6 & 8 weeks of age and continuing every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks of age. Depending on the age and vaccine history of adult pets, some vaccines are given annually and some are given only every 3 years. At Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital, we evaluate each patient’s vaccine needs individually.

  My pet is scheduled for surgery, will he (she) be in pain?

At Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital we believe that it is a moral obligation to treat all surgical patients for pain. We give pain medication to all of our surgery patients before the surgery even starts. We then carefully monitor for pain and give additional drugs as needed. Medication is also sent home for the recovery period. We want all surgery patients to be as safe and comfortable as possible.  

What is a Surgical Laser?  

We make most of our surgical incisions with a laser instead of a scalpel blade. A surgical laser cauterizes blood vessels and seals nerve endings as it cuts. This reduces bleeding, pain, and swelling. This means more comfort for our patients.  

 What is a therapy laser?

One of the ways that we treat pain and inflammation in our patients is with a therapy laser, sometimes called a “cold laser”. This pain free treatment is commonly used for joint and back pain, but can also be used for post-operative therapy, wound therapy, and other conditions. The laser energy is applied to the affected area and has an anti-inflammatory effect, helps to interrupt pain signals, and improves local circulation.  

 I’m worried about anesthesia, is it safe?

While any anesthesia carries a minute risk, modern anesthesia is actually extremely safe. At Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital, safety is always the priority. All of our patients have pre-anesthetic blood work to screen for potential anesthesia risk factors. We evaluate each patient’s health and choose the best anesthesia protocol. All patients have an IV placed and are rigorously monitored by a dedicated surgical nurse and electronic monitoring equipment for maximal safety.