Also serving Fairfax, Chantilly, and Manassas, VA
Centreville, VA Animal Health
Keeping your animal healthy and happy is our top priority. At Centreville Animal Hospital we recognize that no matter how good the care when you bring your pets to us, equally important is the care you provide to your pets on an ongoing basis.
The following provides information to help you maintain the well-being of your pets.
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Wellness Recommendations
The theory is that every one-year of our lives equals 6-7 years for dogs and cats. Thus, an annual examination schedule for pets is like humans going to the doctor once every 6 years. The following are minimum recommendations to ensure that you and your pet have a long healthy relationship. It's called the human-animal bond, and it is a wonderful unconditional love!
Home Checklist for Pet Health
Use this list regularly to discover problems before they become serious.
Call us if the answer is NO to the following:
My Pet:
| ► is acting normal, active, and in good spirits. |
| ► has a normal appetite without difficulty in chewing. |
| ► breathes normally without coughing or panting excessively. |
| ► urinates in the usual amounts and frequency. |
| ► has normal appearing bowel movements. |
| ► walks without stiffness, pain, or difficulty. |
| ► has a full, glossy coat free of dry flakes or grease. |
| ► is free from fleas, ticks, and/or mites. |
| ► has eyes that are bright, clear, and free of discharge. |
| ► has ears that are clean and free of debris. |
| ► has clean, white teeth free of tartar and plaque. |
| ► has a body that is free from lumps and bumps. |
| Minimum Care Requirements for all pets | |
| Cats | Dogs |
| Annual Physical Examination | Annual Physical Examination |
| Annual Baseline Health Profiles | Annual Baseline Health Profiles |
| Intestinal Parasite Check | Intestinal Parasite Check |
| Vaccination Program | Vaccination Program |
| Dental Health Care | Dental Health Care |
| Monitoring Health Problems | Monitoring Health Problems |
| Neutering | Neutering |
| Skin Parasites | Skin Parasites |
| Balanced Nutrition | Balanced Nutrition |
| Fresh Water | Fresh Water |
| Exercise | Exercise |
| Grooming | Grooming |
| Clean Litter | Heartworm Test & Preventative Care All year |
FAQ
Q: In the past, when I have found a pet, I have not been sure what I should do. I want to do the right thing, but it seems I always feel inadequate in handling the situation. Can you recommend any resources?
A: If you find a pet, or if your pet is lost, there are some numbers that, if kept handy, can be valuable resources in these situations:
| Fairfax County Animal Shelter 703-830-1100 |
| Animal Warden 703-830-3310 |
| Non-emergency Police 703-691-2131 [for after-hours service to assist you in locating the Warden] |
| Centreville Animal Hospital 703-830-1182* |
*Please reach us anytime during office hours for help with animal identification. We have the equipment to scan microchips to provide immediate identification and return of lost or found animals. We can look up information on pets that have received their rabies tag from our practice as well.
Q: I read about how important it is to spay and neuter animals to prevent unwanted litters, but is it really safe to my pets?
A. It's actually healthier for your pet! Spaying and neutering can actually help prevent cancer of the reproductive systems and can also help curb behavioral problems. Both cats and dogs can be spayed or neutered as young as 6 months of age. It is not necessary for females to have gone through their first heat, nor will it stunt an animal's growth to spay or neuter it before it is "full grown."
If you have questions about spaying/neutering your pet, or you would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 703-830-1182. Both surgeries, with the proper safeguards, pre-operative blood tests and anesthetics, are safe procedures, and your pet can usually return home the day after surgery.
Q: My pet never goes outside. Should she have a microchip implanted?
A: It's not only "outside" pets that get lost. Every pet owner can recount a time when their animal ran out when a door got opened or when someone came into the house who wasn't aware of the fact that it is important to move quickly and close the door as soon as possible. If your animal is fitted with a microchip, it can easily be scanned by shelters, clinics, and emergency disaster teams. Some form of permanent identification is a good idea for all pets.
Q: I know heartworms are dangerous for my pet, but how do dogs get heartworms and can they is prevented?
A: Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, and are almost always fatal if not detected and treated early. Fortunately, prevention is easy. We recommend annual testing as well as a year-round program of prevention. Choose from a convenient pill given once a month or a daily beef-flavored tablet that most dogs eat just likes a treat.
Q: Is it safe to adopt an animal from a shelter or any location that finds home for strays or is it safer to purchase an animal from a breeder or pet store?
A: Adopting an animal that is looking for a home is a wonderful thing to do. There are so many animals seeking new homes and you can find the perfect pet for you and your family if you just go to a shelter or rescue group and spend a little time with the animal that appeals to you. Adopt a pet this way and you have the added pleasure of knowing that you adopted an animal that might not otherwise have found a home. Animals should have all the required shots and be certified as healthy so that you can be confident with the choice you make.
Get your pet the care they deserve and you can trust. Call Centreville Animal Hospital at
703-830-1182 to schedule an appointment.
