Frequently Asked Questions

How often does PVS offer vaccination clinics, and how do I find a PVS vaccination clinic near me?
PVS offers affordable vaccination clinics conveniently on Saturdays, Sundays, and weeknights. To find your neighborhood clinic’s schedule, please visit our Calendar or contact us.

What type of payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash and all major credit cards.

Can I buy heartworm prevention from you without a heartworm test?

We sell heartworm preventative. However, we require proof of a recent heartworm test or we conveniently offer heartworm testing at a discount price.

Why do my pets need biannual exams?

Each year for your pet is equivalent in aging to 4 – 7 human years. A lot can happen in that time. During the exam the veterinarian carefully goes over your pet from head to tail. Subtle changes such as: weight loss/gain, skin tumors, eye/ear changes, dental disease, heart disease, arthritis, abdominal masses, endocrine disease, and much, much more can be evaluated and discussed. Hopefully, conditions can be diagnosed early and treated, helping your pet live a long, happy life. As your pet ages the doctor will recommend blood and urine tests to further evaluate organ function (or dysfunction) and start appropriate treatment or dietary changes.

Why should I give heartworm protection year round?

Mosquitoes are the carrier species for heartworm infection (they inject heartworm larvae into your pet when they bite for a blood meal). South Texas winters are too mild to adequately dampen the mosquito population, so year round prevention is recommended. My dog spends most of the time indoors does he/she need heartworm protection? Yes! Some species of mosquitoes actually prefer to live indoors and any time you open your door mosquitoes may enter. For additional information on heartworm disease, visit www.heartwormsociety.org.

Why do I have to test my dog for heartworms if I give preventative every month?

Heartworm preventatives are not 100% effective. Occasionally a dose gets missed, spit out, vomited, or just not adequately absorbed, resulting in inadequate protection. Heartworm testing is a safeguard against your pet suffering from heartworm disease without your knowledge. Furthermore, giving some types of heartworm preventative to a dog that has heartworm infection may actually result in a shock-like reaction due to a rapid kill of immature heartworms.

How do animals get tapeworms?

The most common tapeworm is caught by eating a flea. Flea larva feed on the tapeworm eggs as a food source. When the infected fleas mature and are ingested by the animal, the tapeworm eggs hatch and mature into adults and the lifecycle begins all over. We emphasize the importance of not only killing the adult tapeworms, but also using a good, sound flea preventative to help control the tapeworm infections in our pets.

My pet is "scooting" his rear on the floor, does that mean he has parasites?

Not necessarily, a fecal exam will rule out intestinal parasites. Often the "scooting" behavior is due to your pet's anal glands being full (another symptom is excessive licking of the rectal area). If the behavior occurs frequently, bring your pet in to the vet for an exam.

When should I get my pet spayed/neutered?

We generally recommend that the ovariohysterectomy or “spay” (female) be done at about 5 months of age and neuter (male) at about 7 – 9 months of age.

My pet has vomited once today, what should I do?

If your pet seems healthy other wise (not lethargic, appetite is good, drinking normally, no history of eating foreign objects or unusual foods, trash etc.) you may observe the dog and see if it happens again. Withhold food for 12 – 24 hours, then you may try feeding your pet a bland diet of cooked white rice and boiled skinless, boneless chicken or lean hamburger meat for a day or two. If vomiting continues for either more than one day, or more than twice in one day, withhold food and call and make an appointment for an exam.

My dog has loose stools today, what should I do?

As long as the stools aren't extremely watery, black like tar, containing fresh blood, or
associated with vomiting, lethargy, or excessive straining, you can try giving 1 teaspoon of Kaopectate per 5 pounds of body weight. You may also try feeding a bland diet of cooked white rice and boiled skinless, boneless chicken or lean hamburger meat. If diarrhea worsens or doesn't improve in 24-48 hours, call to make an appointment for an exam.

My dog is eating his own stool (or the cat's stool), does that mean he has a vitamin
deficiency?

Coprophagia (or stool eating) is a common behavioral problem. Some behaviorists suspect that the dogs develop a taste for the undigested protein material that is in the stools. How can I stop my dog from eating its stool? You may try sprinkling a commercial product like "Forbid" or meat tenderizer on your dog's food. It changes the stool, making it taste worse than normal. You may try "booby-trapping" any stool in the yard with hot sauce however you must be consistent. If your dog encounters any stool that has not been booby-trapped then it will take longer for your dog to stop this habit. Also try leash-walking your dog and keeping the yard picked up.

My pet had surgery, what should I watch for with the incision?

The incision should be clean and dry with no discharge. There will be a slight amount of swelling, but not so much that the skin has swollen around the sutures. The area around the sutures should be pink and possibly a bit bruised, but not beet red. Please call or make an appointment to come in if you still have concerns or questions about the incision.

Does my pet need pain control when he has surgery?

The advent of providing pain control for pets is a recent development in veterinary medicine. Studies have shown that pets given pain medication post operatively heal faster, eat sooner, have fewer infections, and are much less stressed than pets that don't receive pain medication. Ask us about pain control options for your pet.

My dog is itching, I think it has fleas, how can I tell?

Fleas are small dark brown-black insects. You can usually see the insects themselves, often near the tail or on the belly, they flee from light. You can also see "flea dirt" black granular, dirt-like material that is essentially digested blood that has been excreted by the flea.

I don’t see any fleas on my dog/cat. Why do I need flea prevention?

Texas’ climate provides a great environment for insects including fleas. Without good flea control it is only a matter of time before they find their way onto your pet and into your house. The number one cause of skin disease in dogs and cats is fleas. Flea preventatives can help protect your home and pet from infestation, which can save you time and money in the long run.

What are the normal body temperatures for dogs and cats?

Body temperatures of dogs and cats are higher than humans ranging from 100°F – 102.5°F. This temperature is usually obtained rectally. Most animals will feel warm to humans because their temperatures are naturally higher than ours.

How often should my pet receive a rabies vaccination?

The vaccine may last for up to 3 years, but the decision when to revaccinate should be
based on the risk of exposure.

When should my kitten or puppy get their vaccines?

Here is our recommended vaccine schedule:

Should I vaccinate my cat for Feline Leukemia?

According to the guidelines set forth by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the FeLV vaccine is recommended annually for all cats who go outside where they have exposure to other cats, and/or live with a FeLV infected cat.

What about other vaccines?

These are best discussed with your veterinarian. Vaccination schedules are tailored for each pet, taking into consideration factors such as exposure risk, age of pet, previous reactionsdetc. Generally we recommend vaccination for dogs for the following "core" vaccines/diseases: Rabies, Parvo, Distemper, Parinfluenza, and Canine Adenovirus. "Noncore" vaccines that are available but may not be required (again depending on exposure risk) are Bordatella ("Kennel Cough"), Lymes Disease, Leptospirosis and canine influenza. Bordatella is required for boarding.
For Cats we currently require annual revaccination for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and feline Panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine (these are "core" vaccines). Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus vaccines are considered "core" vaccines for outdoor cats only.

How much should I feed my pet?

All reputable pet food manufacturers include a feeding guide with their foods. One must remember that these guidelines provide a starting point only and that you will know within a relatively short period of time (1 to 2 weeks) if your animal is being over or under fed simply by observing his body. He should of course not appear gaunt but his ribs should be easily felt with your fingers. Unfortunately, far too many of the animals we see are overweight which predisposes them to a number of health problems.

When can I walk my puppy in the park?

Some dogs do not become adequately immunized against certain preventable diseases (Parvo most notably) until 18 to 20 weeks of age. Therefore avoidance of locations where many dogs of unknown background congregate or have been seems to make sense. However puppies do need to be socialized by being exposed to many sites, sounds, and experiences so we recommend taking them to less "canine intensive" sites and exposing them to known healthy, vaccinated dogs belonging to friends. Since some diseases and parasites are transmitted by exposure to feces, you need to control where your puppy puts his nose when on his walks.

I want my puppy to let me clip his nails when he's older. How do I do this?

Start now! It is important to help your puppy associate nail trims with "good things" so that they look forward to this time. This is accomplished by playing with the puppy's feet one at a time while rewarding with food treats. Do not clip any nails as this time. The slower you progress without forcing the puppy, the quicker he/she will pick up the fact that "When my owner holds my foot I get lots of treats!" You then gradually increase the length of time spent holding the foot, start touching each individual toe, then clicking the clippers (a noise that can be scary to some pups), then clipping a toenail! Do not expect to be able to clip all his nails at the same time or to reach this comfort level within a couple days. Give him/her plenty of time and treats!

I just got a new kitten. How can I ensure that he/she will use the litter box?

It is important to make sure that the box is easily accessible to the kitten (not isolated in a far corner) especially after periods of play, napping, or eating. The box should not be too tall for her to easily get into. Also, we suggest that you not use hoods on the box. If not cleaned often enough the ammonia smell can build up and deter a picky feline. Remember the formula: one litter box per cat plus one. If you have one cat you should have two litter boxes. Two cats- three litter boxes, and so on. Yes, cats are easier to housetrain than dogs but in the beginning it is still important to supervise them and prevent any accidents. If she is sniffing around or acting as if she needs to eliminate, carry her to the litter box and reward her with a food treat.

Why can't I just pick up the same medicine that worked last time?

It seems like my pet has the same problem he had before. In many cases, problems that seem the same may not be caused by the same disease. For example, your pet might have an ear infection again, last time it was caused by bacteria, but this time it may be caused by yeast, and different medications are indicated. Also, it is illegal for a veterinarian to prescribe medication without seeing the patient to formulate a working diagnosis.

Why does the hospital recommend blood testing before procedures requiring anesthesia?

Preanesthetic blood testing allows us to evaluate your pet's basic physiologic condition and will let us know if we need to take extra precautions with your pet. It may indicate that we should avoid a procedure altogether until a discovered problem can be corrected.

How do cats get infected with FIV? Is there a vaccine?

Cats get FIV from direct contact, usually from fighting. They can also contract the disease through breeding. This is one of the most common infectious diseases in outdoor cats, especially intact males. It is very important to test all new cats that come into the house for FIV and FeLV. If your cat stays outdoors, PLEASE vaccinate annually for FeLV and FIV.

What are the benefits of neutering my pet?

It can reduce undesirable behaviors such as aggression, urine marking of the house, and “mounting” of people, toys, other pets, etc. It may also decrease your pets desire to roam and escape your yard and house. It will also decrease the incidence of prostatic enlargement, testicular tumors, and several other medical conditions.

I understand that annual vaccinations are important, but my pet seems to have reactions to them consistently. Should I stop vaccinating my pet?

We must find a balance between avoiding vaccine reactions and providing an adequate level of immunity from serious, potentially fatal diseases. We may be able to test the level of antibodies in your pet’s body to see if we can skip the vaccine some years. If the vaccine is necessary, we can pre-treat with an antihistamine to help prevent a reaction.

Why does my dog eat grass?

Grass eating by dogs and cats is considered normal by most veterinarians. Dogs in the wild do the same thing to supplement their diet with vegetation. I would only be concerned about access to grass that has been treated with herbicides, insecticides, or fertilizers that might cause illness. Also you should let your veterinarian know if the grass eating is accompanied by vomiting.

Are rawhide chews safe?

Flat rawhide chews usually do not cause a problem. However, we do not recommend the bone-shaped chews with knots on the ends. Problems may arise if your dog swallows them whole causing choking, gastritis or blockage. It's usually best to supervise your pet when it is chewing on any toy.

Cold, wet noses are good, right?

A cold, wet nose may be a sign of good health in dogs and cats however even a healthy pet \can have a warm, dry nose on occasion. On the other hand, really sick pets can also have cold, wet noses. What does all this mean? This is not a reliable indicator of your pet’s health.

Is it okay to feed my cat milk?

We generally do not recommend feeding milk to adult cats. A cat's digestive system does not digest milk well. Feeding milk to your cat can cause diarrhea, which can lead to further nutritional problems (your cat won't be able to absorb nutrients from his/her food).

How old should my dog or cat be when they start on adult food?

We recommend that dogs change over to adult food at 15 to 18 months of age. Cats should change over to adult food at 10 to 12 months of age. Slowly introduce the adult diet by mixing it with the puppy/kitten food. Start with 25% new diet and 75% old diet for one week, 50% new and 50% old food for one week, then 75% new and 25% old diet for one week