Alma Street Veterinary Hospital

I have an outdoor cat, what vaccinations should she get?

All cats should at least receive the basic vaccination called an F3. The F3 covers Rhinotracheitis (more commonly known as Cat Flu), Calcivirus & Enteritis. Outdoor cats should also receive the FIV (Feline AIDS) vaccination. FIV is transmitted between cats from biting and scratching which often happens when outdoor cats fight. Unfortunately there are a lot of cats infected with the virus and there is no treatment or cure as yet.

Should I be feeding my dog a special diet?

All dogs and cats should be fed a good quality pet food that is specifically for their life stage ie. Puppies & Kittens should be fed a good quality puppy/kitten food up until 1yr old as it is important for their growth and development. Adult dogs & cats require adult food either wet or dry up until 7yrs of age. Senior dogs & cats 7+yrs should be fed food specifically for senior or mature animals as they aid in the changing of their body and increases their longevity.

Does my pet really need a general Anaesthetic?

In order for us to properly assess and treat dental disease general anaesthesia is usually necessary. Unfortunately we can't ask you pet to 'open wide' and we need to keep all of our fingers so it is best that your pet is anesthetised. We are also able to painlessly remove any diseased teeth and clean every tooth thoroughly.

How old does my puppy have to be to get it's vaccinations?

Puppy & kittens both need to be vaccinated at 6-8 weeks of age, they then receive another vaccination at 10-12 weeks and their last one at 14-16 weeks (each a month apart). They then need to be vaccinated yearly.

Is there anything that I shouldn't feed my pet?

Some human foods can be toxic to your pet or cause vomiting & diarrhoea. Eg. Cows milk (causes diarrhoea as dogs & cats aren't able to digest lactose), Sultanas, Chocolate, Onion, Garlic, Avocado (for birds), Tobacco, Asparagus and Macadamia Nuts.

How often do cats go on heat?

The breeding season for cats is almost year round. Heat cycles in cats last from several days to two weeks or longer, and repeat every two to three weeks. So, female cats can be receptive to mating just about any time. The heat cycles can start as early as 4 months of age and will continue until they are desexed.

What age can I get my cat or dog desexed?

We recommend that you get your dog or cat desexed at approx. 6 months of age.

Is extraction of a tooth really necessary?

When comparing our own dental experiences to that of our pets, extraction may sound drastic however the options for saving teeth in our pets are limited. A pet with severe dental disease has usually lost a significant amount of bone and soft tissue along the roots of the tooth. Extraction is often the only way we can restore oral health and prevent the disease spreading to neighbouring teeth.

My pet has a fractured/chipped tooth, do we really need to have it treated?

Yes, especially if the internal part of the tooth (the pulp) is involved. The pulp contains all of the blood vessels and nerves for the tooth and if exposed, is very painful. Bacteria can enter into the tooth and infect the pulp and lead to infection within the jawbone. Often, there aren't any obvious outward symptoms (such as facial swelling) until very late in the infection.

Can I get my cat desexed if she is on heat?

Yes. Dogs and cats can still be desexed if on heat or pregnant. However you will have to pay a surcharge, as it does make the surgery more difficult.