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| Spay/Neuter Questions |
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| What if I can't afford to have my pet spayed/neutered? |
Dr. Bliesath and Family Pet Hospital are part of the state spay/neuter program for New Jersey. This program offers qualified pet owners the ability to Spay or Neuter your adopted dog or cat for $10 or $20.
Spay or neuter your adopted dog or cat for $20 if you:
- Are a New Jersey Resident
- Adopted your pet from an eligible licensed NJ shelter; municipal, county, or regional pound; NJ holding or impoundment facility that contracts with NJ municipalities; or a non-proi\fit NJ animal adoption referral agency
and licensed the dog in your municipality (licensing for cats is not required)
Spay or Neuter your dog or cat for $10.00 if your receive any of the following:
Food Stamps
Medicaid
General Public Assistance
Rental Assistance
Aid to Families with Dependent Children
Lifeline Utility Credit
Tenants Lifeline Assistance
Supplemental Security Income
Pharmaceutical Assistance to Aged & Disabled
You will need to provide proof of eligibility for the above programs on the day of the surgery.
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| Why shouldn't I let my pet have one litter before they are spayed/neutered? |
| Although you may have found homes for all of the puppies/kittens in the litter it is not guaranteed that their new owners will have them spayed or neutered. This lends to the continuing cycle of unwanted pets and overfilled shelters. Also, there are health benefits to spaying female dogs prior to their first or second heat cycle. |
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| Why should I spay/neuter my pet? |
There are multiple reasons to spay/neuter pets:
-Shelters are over-populated with unwanted pets
-Neutering decreases roaming tendencies in male dogs
-Spayed/neutered pets get along better
-Decreases the risk of developing cancer later in life
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| How old does my pet have to be? |
| At least 4 months of age and up to date on vaccinations. |
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| Overweight / Obesity |
| How can I get started on a weight loss program for my pet? |
| At Family Pet Hospital we strive to keep your pet as healthy as possible, and that includes keeping their weight in check. We can design a weight loss program specifically for your pets needs, and we will be there to guide you along the path to a thinner, healthier, happier pet. To get started with your pet's weight loss program they will first need an exam with Dr. Bliesath or Dr. Amento to rule out a medical disorder (heart, metabolic, thyroid, etc.) contributing your pet's obesity. Following the exam the doctors and the staff of Family Pet Hospital will design and thoroughly discuss your pet's weight loss plan with the entire family, and any questions you may have will be answered. |
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| Why should I worry if my pet is overweight? |
| Incidents of obesity in cats and dogs are on the rise! Like humans, obese pets face the possibility serious health issues. Some of the health concerns that can arise from "just a few extra pounds" are diabetes, cardiovascular compromise, and joint problems. Extra weight can also compound pre-existing conditions making your pet more uncomfortable. |
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| Senior Pet Health |
| Does my pet need special care as it gets older? |
Just like elderly people, elderly pets need special care too! Generally pets are considered a senior at the age of seven, although for dogs it can be breed dependent (large breed dogs age faster than small breeds).
At Family Pet Hospital we work closely with you to design a health plan specifically for your senior pet. Bi-annual exams are recommended due to the fact that pets age faster than people (each year of your pets life is the equvilant of five to seven years for people). This will allow the staff to ask you a series of questions regarding your pet's health and behavior, and any changes will be addressed. Family Pet Hospital also recommends regular blood work on senior pets which checks liver, kidney, pancreas, and thyroid function. A complete urinalysis is also performed which gives Dr. Bliesath a more in depth look at the function of your pets kidneys and urinary tract health. Also included is a CBC (complete blood count) which checks your pet's bone marrow function and can detect some infections and some cancers. It is also recommended by Family Pet Hospital that a stool sample be checked once a year for parasitic infections. Let Dr. Bliesath and the staff of Family Pet Hospital make your pet's Golden Years healthy and enjoyable!
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| Laser Surgery |
| What are the benefits of laser surgery? |
Family Pet Hospital is proud to offer laser surgery for your pet! Dr. Bliesath has eight years experience performing a variety of procedures with a surgical laser. When a procedure is performed with the laser it replaces the traditionally used scalpel blade. Some of the many benefits of laser surgery over traditional surgery include:
- Less Pain - nerve endings are sealed as they are cut
- Less Bleeding - small blood vessels are sealed as they are cut
- Less Swelling - the laser does not crush, tear or bruise tissue
All of these benefits in combination often help shorten the post operative hospital stay.
Family Pet Hospital uses the laser for many surgical procedures such as canine and feline spays, canine neuters, tumor removal, and repair of ear hematomas. The staff at Family Pet Hospital and Dr. Bliesath can let you know if your pet's procedure can be performed with the laser.
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| Dental Services |
| Why is it important to care for my pet's teeth? |
| Periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed condition in adult pets. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and possibly serious systemic health issues. Some of the organ systems that can be affected by untreated periodontal disease are the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, intestines, and immune system. |
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| What can I expect if I bring my pet in for a dental treatment? |
At Family Pet Hospital we strive to provide your pet with the best possible care during any dental procedure. All dental procedures include:
- Are performed under general anesthesia
- All animals have an intravenous catheter and IV fluids
- Are monitored with Pulse Ox, ECG and Blood Pressure (if needed)
- Includes a complete oral exam and dental charting
- Digital x-rays can be taken if needed
Your pet is usually sent home later that day and home care instructions are provided at the time of discharge.
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| Behavior |
| Is there anything I can do about my pet's bad behavior? |
| Behavior issues are one of the leading reasons for pets being surrendered to shelters. Don't let your pet be one of them! Many behavior issues can be eliminated with behavior modification techniques or in some cases with newly developed medications. Although Dr. Bliesath is not a behaviorist she has worked with many patients with behavior issues. Some of the issues she has worked with include but are not limited to inappropriate elimination (trouble housebreaking dogs, cats that urinate in places other than the litter box), separation anxiety, aggression (related to food, other animals and toys), excessive grooming, and excessive barking. It is easiest to solve behavior issues when they first start, making communication key. If your pet starts any behavioral issues make us aware. The staff of Family Pet Hospital wants you to enjoy your pet's companionship and love for many years. So, please do not hesitate to ask us about any behavior issues you may be facing with your pet. |
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