Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you close for lunch?
No we do not close for lunch. The only exception is the first Wednesday of the month for 2 hours between 12-2pm for a staff meeting. There may be other Wednesdays between 12-2pm for staff training where the clinic may be closed.
- Do you close early on any days?
Yes, we close at noon on Thursdays and on Saturdays.
- Do you recommend giving flea, tick, and heartworm preventions all year round?
Yes, in Florida we do recommend giving all preventions for all 12 months of the year.
- Check out these articles for more info: Flea and Tick Prevention, Heartworms
- How can my indoor cat get fleas?
Fleas can come into the house on your shoes, clothing, and new plants. They can also get through screens on porches or windows to enter the house. Another other risk associated with cats that have fleas is the possibility of them aquiring tapeworms.
- Check out this article for more information: Tapeworms in Dogs. Tapeworms in Cats.
- Why do I need to have a fecal (stool) checked on my indoor cat?
Some internal parasites can actually come into the house on your shoes or even in potting soil.
- Check out the following article for more information: Fecal Exam
- Why do I have to vaccinate my indoor cat?
The virus causing feline upper respiratory disease lives well in the environment, if you have been around an infected cat, even before it is showing signs, you can bring the virus home on your clothing and shoes. Wildlife can also transmit the virus which can be spread through screens.
- Check out the following articles for more information: Vaccinate?, Rabies
- Can my dog or cat catch my cold or vice versa?
No, the majority of viruses cannot be transmitted from species to species.
- Why do I need a rabies tag if my pet is not getting a rabies vaccine this year?
In Sarasota County it is required that every pet receive a Rabies Tag (license) annually. We use a 3 year vaccine so your pet may not need a booster vaccine, but your pet is still required to receive an updated tag. The rabies tag fee goes directly to the county.
- Check out this article for more information: Rabies License
- Why shouldn't I go to a vaccine clinic and get the Rabies vaccine annually instead of getting a 3 year Rabies vaccine at your hospital that is more expensive?
The total cost of three 1-year vaccines is more than a single 3-year vaccine. So, getting the 3-year vaccine is actually less expensive in the long run. It is also easier on your pet because he/she will only receive one vaccine compared to three. There is also a difference in the standard of care between a “vaccine clinic” where you pet may not receive a thorough exam and having Beneva Animal Hospital give the vaccine where we require a complete physical exam to make sure there is no health reason that might increase the risk of vaccination.
- Check out this article for more information: Exams
- I received a reminder card with “DA2P/Parvo” vaccine being due, what is that?
DA2P/Parvo is an abbreviation that stands for the canine distemper vaccine with the parvovirus vaccine. DA2P/Parvo vaccine protects your dog against several diseases including canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, a respiratory disease caused by adenovirus type 2, canine parainfluenza, and parvovirus. All of those diseases are still in the environment in this area.
- Check out these links for more information: Vaccines, Adenovirus, Distemper
- Does a stool sample test for heartworms?
No. A fecal examination which requires a small amount of stool (the size of a dice) will check for intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, giardia, coccidia, whipworms, etc. A heartworm check requires 3 drops of blood and checks for heartworms only. We offer a more comprehensive test called a 3DX which tests for heartworms and the two main tick borne diseases, Lymes and Ehrlichia.
- Check out these links for more information: Heartworm, Ehrlichia, Ticks
- What does a “blood parasite screen” test for?
We offer two different ways to screen for blood parasites. The recommended screen is a 3DX which tests for heartworms and the two main tick borne diseases. The second test only tests for heartworms.
- Check out this article for more info: Heartworm
- How much stool should I bring for a stool sample?
The amount needed is no less than the size of a dice. If you are bringing in a stool sample for a cat, it is acceptable to have litter on the stool.
- How do I collect a urine sample?
For a dog we recommend collecting the first urine of the morning, during midstream if possible, in a sanitized container. Please do not refrigerate it and please bring it to us within 1 hour of collection. For a cat, we recommend either letting Beneva Animal Hospital acquire the urine sample or you can pick up an “Urine Collection Kit” with instructions from the front desk.
- What does fasting mean?
Fasting means no food after 10 o’clock the night before any anesthetic procedure, or no food for 12 hours prior to bloodwork. Free choice water is ok, unless the doctor has directed you to withhold water as well.
- What are anal glands?
Anal glands are little internal scent glands on either side of the anus at 4:00 and 8:00 (if you were looking at a clock). Some dogs express them on their own as they defecate and some dogs have more difficulty expressing on their own. Occasionally we may have to express the anal glands for the dog to prevent the anal gland from abscessing or rupturing.
- Check out this link for more information: Anal Glands