When can I have my cat neutered?
The general rule of spaying or neutering is at the age of 6 months old. We have been offering these services at a younger age as well. If you have decided to have your cat declawed, we can do this at age 3 months, at this time if his testicles have properly descended, we will neuter him as well, as not to have to subject him to anesthesia again.

Is there a down side to having my dog spayed at such a young age?
The only down side might be if you own a small breed dog i.e. poodle, yorkie, etc. Small breed dogs sometimes have problems properly shedding their baby teeth. Adult canine teeth or "fang teeth" are fully in place by 6 months of age. If your puppy has not properly shed these teeth by the age of 6 months we then extract them at the time of her spay.

When is my pet considered "senior"?
On average, our pets are considered "senior" at 7 years of age.

Is there special care for my senior pet?
We provide many services especially for your senior pet. Labwork, the key to seeing what's going on inside your pet is a great place to start. We offer Geriatric Profiles for all ages, but especially our older patients. These tests include a full chemistry panel, complete blood count, urinalysis, and thyroid level. Included in the canine panel is also a heartworm check. For our feline patients we also include a Feline leukemia test and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) test. Grouping these tests together allows us to offer them at a fraction of the cost of individual testing.

Are bones okay for my dog?
No. Bones of any kind are dangerous to dogs' digestive system. Splinters and sharp edges could puncture holes or tear his stomach or intestines. We highly recommend not feeding bones of any kind.

Can I give my cat milk?
Cartoons and commercials have led us to believe that milk is apart of every cat's diet. The truth is that milk is very upsetting to a cat's stomach and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. When feeding kittens that are too young for solid food always use milk replacement formulas that are made especially for kittens.

Which "people foods" are okay for my pets?
It is best to only feed dog or cat food to your pets. They do not need variety and it is easier on their stomachs to have the same flavor and same brand of food everyday. If you just can't say no, use this simple rule; "if it's not good enough for you to eat, it's not good enough for them to eat." This includes scraps, bones and left overs. Just like our diet, carrots and apples are better than hamburgers and pizza.

As a new puppy owner, what should I do to make sure my puppy will live a long, healthy life?
Start by feeding him good quality dog food, this will give him all the vitamins and minerals he needs to grow strong. Do not feed table scraps or bones. Make sure you visit us as the above schedule recommends for his COMPLETE puppy vaccinations. We will start your puppy on heartworm prevention on his first visit and you will need to continue this every month for the rest of his life. Strongly consider having him neutered. This isn't just about reproduction, unaltered animals have a better chance of getting cancer, such as prostate cancer for males and breast cancer for females. Last but not least, love your puppy, because he loves you unconditionally.

Do you have other questions concerning your pet's health?
Please email at info@balivetclinic.com