FAQ
Welcome to the FAQ section of the website. You will find the most common questions answered in the FAQ section; and if you cannot find the relevant information, please go to our ask the vet page where you can submit your question.
How do I prepare my pet for a surgical appointment?
Dogs and Cats: No food after 8:00 to 8:30pm the night before the appointment.
Allow access to water overnight.
No breakfast! Present pet at surgery between 8:00 and 8:30 am
Be sure to leave a contact phone/mobile number before you leave so we can update you on your pet’s progress.
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs do not starve it is important to maintain gut motility (movements) for healthy recovery
Ferrets : No food 4 hrs prior to surgery
How do I take care of my pet after an operation?
You may have been given special Discharge Instructions following your pet’s operation. The following notes will help you with general care.
Your pet will probably have eaten immediately upon waking
from the operation.
When your pet comes home, arrange for a quiet, stress-free environment. The effects of sedatives and painkillers may cause your pet to be groggy for 12-24hrs.
Allow free access to water.
Feed small amounts of normal food [or any prescribed food].
Inspect the surgical site daily. Check for abnormal swelling
or discharge. Please contact the surgery if you need information.
Excessive licking, chewing or scratching should be discouraged.
Exercise: follow any special instructions given, but usually
little-and-often for for dogs, on leads only.
Give medication as instructed.
Ensure you have a Nurse or Vet Check as arranged.
Phone surgery during business hours if you are worried.
[if you have an after-hours problem, phone the Emergency Service].
When can I vaccinate my puppy or kitten?
Most puppies and kittens start their vaccines at 8 or 9 weeks of age - with a second vaccine at 3 to 4 weeks later at 12 weeks of age.
Some puppies have earlier vaccines with their breeders, but will still require two further vaccines.
Some puppy vaccines finish at 10 weeks of age - but we believe they are still vulnerable to parvovirus and suggest a third injection at 12 to 16 weeks of age.
How soon can I take out my pet after vaccination?
Pups:
Normally 10 days to 2 weeks after the last injection
Normally 10 days to 2 weeks after the last injection
However, take your new puppy out and about to socialise, visit friends, get used to children, noises, cars and they can attend puppy classes [good training classes will insist all puppies have their first vaccine]. But do avoid public places - such as shopping parades and especially public parks where there a lot of dogs.
Kittens:
Because they are inexperienced, small and vulnerable, we recommend keeping them in until after neutering and microchipping which is normally done at 5 to 6 months of age.
Because they are inexperienced, small and vulnerable, we recommend keeping them in until after neutering and microchipping which is normally done at 5 to 6 months of age.
WHICH PET INSURANCE SHOULD I GET?
There is now a large market in pet insurance and it can be very confusing.
The Government via the FSA has stopped vets reccomending specific policies. However, make sure you always get LIFETIME COVER. This means long term illnesses such as diabetes or skin disease will be covered.
Use specialist pet insurers NOT supermarkets, car, or house insurers - they have jumped on the band wagon and cause us particualr problems when settling claims.
What is the best time to spey or neuter my pet?
DOGS
Males: 6 months and upwards
Females: as early as 6 months old [or 8 weeks after a season]
CATS
Males: 5 months and upwards
Females: 5 months and upwards
Females: 5 months and upwards
BEWARE!
Female kittens can get pregnant as early as 5 to 6 months of age, so don’t delay!!
Female kittens can get pregnant as early as 5 to 6 months of age, so don’t delay!!
Must my bitch have a season or a litter before she is speyed?
There is no advantage to letting your bitch have a season or a litter before she is speyed. In fact we recommend speying at six months of age and some clinics are now performing this operation even earlier – there are no long-term effects. Not speying however can cause serious problems to an older bitch.
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David Clare & Associates Veterinary Group is accredited by The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
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