FAQ | Curtis Road Animal H

FAQs

Commonly asked questions

Clinic Questions

1. When are you open?

We are open Monday-Friday 8AM - 4PM and are closed on Saturday and Sunday.

2. Can I do a same day appointment?

We do our best to leave openings for urgent appointments or emergency walk-in appointments, just know the exam costs more.

3. First Appointment Hold Charge

We ask first time clients to pay an appointment hold charge for their first visit. This charge covers the cost of the exam, so the day of the exam all that would need to be covered is any additional charges if any are added.

4. I would like to get my prescription from a pharmacy.

We understand that being able to get a prescription from a pharmacy right by your home or getting them shipped to you is more convenient. We do offer our own online pharmacy -- My Vet Store Online (MVSO) -- that can be used for online orders. However, for all other outside prescriptions, we will give you a written prescription to provide the pharmacy.

5. What is the lepto vaccine?

The lepto vaccine is a canine vaccine given once a year -- after it's initial booster series -- to help protect your dog against leptospirosis.

What is Leptospirosis?

It is a bacterial disease that your dog can pick up form contaminated water sources (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, puddles) which can then be passed on to us.

How is it spread?

Leptospirosis is spread through urine. An infected animal (deer, rat, raccoon, squirrel, etc) urinates in a water source or area near water, your dog then drinks or goes swimming in the water. You dog can then pass it on to you through their urine.

Must only be in rural areas though right?

NO! Leptospirosis used to only be seen in rural areas, but it has become much more prevalent in cities due to rate populations. Cases of leptospirosis are seen in Champaign County.

6. Why get the bordetella vaccine if my dog isn't boarded?

While it is called Bordetella or Kennel Cough, it is only called that because it is seen most often in kennels. Why? Because that is where dogs are put in close quarters most often. Bordetella can be picked up anywhere dogs congregate, this includes the dog park, the groomers, doggie daycare or even just your own neighborhood -- if there are a high population of dogs. That is why it is best to protect your pet by giving the bordetella vaccine every year much like we get the flu shot every year.

7. Should I stop monthly prevention for the winter?

NO! The slightest change in temperature can determine whether it is the perfect conditions for an insect to return. Did you know that not all ticks go dormant in the winter? What about the fact that fleas can survive at a temperature of 46 degrees or that as soon as it is 50 degrees mosquitoes can come out again. Giving your pet monthly prevention year round ensures that they are fully protected for any possibility, especially with how the weather has been changing recently.

8. Why give heartworm prevention, my dog doesn't go outside?

Even if you dog does not go outside you should still give monthly heartworm prevention. Why? Mosquitos can come inside, they know no boundaries and can harm your pet just as easily inside your home as they can outside your home. It only takes one mosquito to cause a heartworm infection.

9. Why do I need to repeat the heartworm test?

Even if you give monthly heartworm prevention on schedule every month, we still ask that you test your dog every year at least. This is because the prevention is a prescription and we must check to make sure everything is okay but also much like everything else in the world, nothing is 100%. There can always be chance of a product failure which can mean your dog could get heartworm. The yearly tests allows us to double check that everything is order and your pet is healthy.

10. Why is it called the 4DX test and not the heartworm test?

The 4DX test is the heartworm test plus more! We are testing your dog every year for not only heartworm but three tick borne diseases: Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. All three diseases have been seen in Champaign County.

11. How did my cat/dog get fleas, he/she never goes anywhere?

Even is your pet never goes anywhere -- unless they go potty inside-- there is still a chance of fleas hoping on when they could out in the yard. Even strictly indoor cats are still at a small risk. Fleas are opportunists and will take a ride on anything including your shoes.

Surgery Questions

1. What is pre-surgical bloodwork for?

We do pre-surgical bloodwork to let us know how your pet is doing before we put him/her under anesthesia. We take blood for a CBC and chemistry and this let us know how their blood cell count is, if we have enough platelets for clotting and very important how the organs are functioning. The drugs used for surgery are processed through the kidney or liver depending on the drug and if there is an issue with them we need to know and evaluate this before surgery can proceed.

2. When do I drop off my pet for surgery and when is pick up?

Drop-offs are at 8 AM on Thursdays and pick up is usually between 3-4PM. The doctor will call you after the surgery to let you know how it went and to give you a definitive time for pick up.

3. Common Go Home Surgery Questions

My pet won't eat dinner after surgery

Don't panic, it is not uncommon for pets to not be hungry or even be a little nauseous after surgery as anesthesia can upset their stomach. Leave small amounts of food and water out for them to decide if they want it. If the nausea continues for longer than 24 hours then contact us.

My pet is crying/whining in pain

While vocalizing can be an indication of pain, many times when a pet is vocalizing after a surgery is because they are confused. Monitor at home but if the vocalizing continues, contact us for evaluation.

My pet is having diarrhea

It is not uncommon for your pet to have diarrhea after surgery. Coming to the vet's office can be a stressful event and that stress can lead to diarrhea. Monitor your pet's stool, if it persists for longer the 48 hours contact us. If there is any blood in the stool, do contact us immediately.

Do I have to keep the e-collar on?

YES! The e-collar is to ensure your pet does not injure him/herself after surgery. If you are home and can monitor them, then you can remove the e-collar but if they start to dig or lick at the incision site, the e-collar MUST go back on. The e-collar must also remain on when you are not at home or at night when your are asleep.

My pet is vomiting

If your pet vomits once or twice after surgery this not urgent because again the anesthesia can cause them to be nauseous. However, we do ask that you monitor them and if it persists or if there is blood present to contact us immediately.

4. Why should my pet have a dental every year?

We as humans get our teeth cleaned once to twice a year along with our regular brushing. Pets can't brush their teeth and many make it difficult to let us do it for them, so yearly dentals are recommend to ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy. When it comes to teeth, it is not often that a vet will save a tooth like a dentist does with our teeth. This is why yearly cleaning is so important, it helps prevent the build up tartar and decrease the chances of tooth decay.

5. Why can the dental not be done with Curtis Road Animal Hospital?

It is recommended and has become regular practice that dental x-rays be done during dental cleanings. This allows us to see what is going on underneath the surface of gum and at the roots of the teeth. Currently Curtis Road does not have a dental x-ray -- though we plan to get one in the future -- and because of this we recommend those that need dentals to go to the University of Illinois or Animal Hospital at the Crossing.