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How much will it cost for you to look at my Dog (or cat)? Our office exam is $44.50.  Prior to any vaccination, our doctor does a complete physical exam - nose to tail. We listen to the heart and lungs, palpate the abdomen and organs, and assess the condition of the eyes, ears, nose, skin and joints. There may be an abnormality that should be addressed prior to administering vaccinations.

How old should my puppy be before applying Advantix? You may apply Advantix at the proper weight dose as early as 7 weeks of age.

What is the Bordetella Vaccine? Bordetella vaccine is given to aid in the prevention of "Kennel Cough", the most prevalent upper respiratory problem in dogs in the United States. The condition is also known as tracheobronchitis, canine infectious tracheobronchitis, Bordetellosis, or Bordetella. It is highly contagious in dogs. The disease is found worldwide and will infect a very high percentage of dogs in their lifetime. 

Why is bordetella given every 6 months?  It is recommended to be given every 6 months if your dog is ever exposed to other dogs.  If your dog is groomed, boarded, walked among other dogs or you take him/her to a public dog park, you run a higher risk of exposure.

When should my puppy / kitten be vaccinated?  The purpose of vaccinations is to prevent disease. At this time, the majority of vaccines are made to combat viruses.   Prior to vaccines, people and pets frequently died from viral infections. Through scientific advancement and understanding of viruses and the immune system, vaccines have been developed. Since the advent of vaccines, death due to viruses that have a vaccine available has significantly declined.
When a normal, healthy puppy or kitten is born, her immune system is considered naïve. It has not been exposed to foreign substances or viruses. Through her mother's milk, the baby will gain some immunity from those viruses her mother is protected against. Unfortunately, this maternal immunity is temporary. In the first 5 to 6 weeks of life, the mother's antibodies are sufficient to keep the immune from most common viruses. At about 5 to 6 weeks, this immunity begins to wane

Why should my dog be tested for Heartworm Disease even if he/she is on prevention?  Because no drug can be 100% effective, we recommend testing to verify that your dog is free from the disease.  Also, the manufacturers of the preventative will guarantee the effectiveness of the medication only if you have yearly heartworm screenings.

Why does my dog/cat have to be examined before I can get him/her any medicine?  Medical conditions change quickly and it is best to have your vet re-evaluate your pet before prescribing or refilling any medication. The medication may no longer be necessary or may need to be changed. In addition, the laws governing the prescribing of medication to pets have become much stricter in recent years.  It is now illegal to prescribe ANY medication without first having a recorded medical exam on file.

Why do I have to have a current exam for my pet to get him/her vaccinated?  A physical exam within one year is required for any vaccinations.  Because the physical condition of the pet is important to whether the vaccine will take proper effect, a veterinarian will need to determine that the pet is healthy.  At Woodland West Animal Hospital, the annual examination is free with a "Total Care" Package.

What is a Total Care Package?  What does it include?  Our Total Care Package is a comprehensive plan for your pet to give all that he/she is due for one year.  This package includes: Complete Physical, Vaccinations due, Heartworm testing (dogs and cats), fecal examination (check for intestinal parasites), worming if necessary.

Should I have a senior wellness screening performed on my pet?  Today it is not uncommon for some dogs and cats to live to be 15 to 20 years old. Senior pets (those seven and older), age much like humans do. There are risks for heart disease, diabetes, tumors, cancer, kidney or liver disease, arthritis, loss of hearing and/or vision, and dental disease -- to name a few. Luckily, there are many age-related changes in dogs and cats that can be treated successfully, or at least slowed.
For senior pets, we recommend a physical exam twice a year, along with a diagnostic work up at least once a year. By screening for age-related diseases, in many cases we can detect diseases before they become debilitating or severe. We can then determine the appropriate treatment, which may include medication, food and/or therapy. The right treatment can help prolong your pets life, and help to improve your pets quality of life.

Why does my puppy/kitten need more than one fecal (parasite screening)?  Some parasites cannot be seen by the eye alone, therefore a fecal examination should be performed to detect any of these parasites. It is important with young puppies and kittens that a fecal exam be done. Severe infestation can lead to illness, anemia, or even death

I found a baby wild animal, what should I do?  Only specially licensed veterinarians may work on wildlife.  Because of this, we refer all wildlife to Forest Trails Animal Hospital (918) 299-8448

Why should my pet be microchipped? The most important reason to microchip your pet is protection. If your dog or cat gets lost and it's picked up by a stranger, a shelter or veterinarian should be able to scan the chip and find the owner. While tags and tattoos are also popular means of identification, a microchip has many advantages: it can't get lost or stolen, and it doesn't disfigure your pet like a tattoo does. Another reason to microchip your pet is travel. Many European countries require a chip for animals traveling in and out of their territory. England, for example, has now a system which makes it possible to avoid quarantine by bringing in microchipped animals. Once you have decided to microchip your pet, the whole process should only take a quick visit to your vet. While a microchip is not a guarantee that your pet will be safe, it certainly increases the chances of him finding his way home.

Should I feed my pet from the table or give them what I am eating?  Many people share the family feast with their dog in an offering of thanks and love. While this is an innocent and seemingly gracious and loving gesture, the truth is, it's more loving not to share your holiday meals with your dog. While it may seem that a little bit of turkey skin here and a little bit of stuffing there wouldn't hurt, we know how quickly the pounds can add up over the holiday season. The same rules that apply to us apply to our pets. A diet high in fat and being overweight is very unhealthy for them. Pancreatitis is just one of the problems that occur with a high fat and unhealthy diet. The "typical" pancreatitis victim is middle-aged or older and overweight. It's common in both sexes, and very often the family has just had a party or a big holiday meal when this disease strikes. So, if your pet is often one that gets a table scrap here, a potato chip there, extra caution should be taken, as his possibility for an acute pancreatitis attack could already be high. However this doesn't OK you to indulge him if it's "just this once" or "just for the holiday." Things can turn bad quickly and with the hustle and bustle of the holidays; you may not be as alert to the first symptoms, or may pass them off as just nerves, stress or having a little too much turkey or all the family at the home for the holiday.

Why does my pet have to be licensed with the city of Tulsa? The city of Tulsa requires this license to regulate rabies vaccines and animal shelter populations.

Is it true that Tulsa City ordinances require all dogs over 6 months to be spayed and neutered? YES!  You must obtain a special license to keep an un-neutered male or un-spayed female.

What is the difference between a vet assistant and a veterinary technician?  Their roles vary and the educational requirements and training are different.  Veterinary assistants support the veterinarian and/or the veterinary technician in their daily tasks.  A Veterinary Technician (also called a vet tech, veterinary nurse or vet nurse), is a person trained and licensed to assist veterinarians. Their job is similar to that of a nurse: They are working directly with a veterinarian, executing the procedures requested and needed to diagnose and treat animals, but are not legally qualified to make a diagnosis and/or practice veterinary medicine without proper supervision by a licensed veterinarian.  Veterinary technicians are very different from veterinary assistants. Veterinary assistants are there to aid technicians, but they do not have a license, which is needed in most states by law, to perform specific procedures. An assistant has not gone through the classes and requirements for an associates degree in veterinary technology. The education a licensed technician receives is in depth and crucial for medical understanding and to give proper health care.

Can cats get heartworm disease?  Heartworm disease in cats is caused by the same worm, Dirofilaria immitis, as in the dog. Cats react differently than dogs to the disease. Cats usually have one or only a few worms and the worms generally only live 2 - 3 years.  Cats have more severe symptoms when infected with heartworms than dogs. Some cats may die suddenly when a heartworm dies within their body.  It is difficult to diagnose this in cats. Since cats only have a few worms and very few microfilaria, The tests aren't as exact. Other tests including x-rays may be necessary along with the heartworm test to diagnose heartworm disease in cats.  If a cat is known to have heartworm disease there is no treatment at this time. Many cats (30 - 50%) die suddenly if the heartworms die. For this reason, cats may be put on prednisone to decrease the severity until the worms have died. This usually takes 2 - 3 years.  To prevent your cat from getting heartworm disease there is a preventive medication. This medication can be given once a month to kill infective larvae before reaching the adult stage. Since we cannot treat positive animals it is recommended they also be put on preventive medication so their condition does not worsen

Why does my pet scoot its rear end on the ground?  This is a common problem and happens frequently. It probably means your pet’s anal glands are full and needs to be “expressed” or emptied. They can also become infected which can make your pet feel uncomfortable. Scooting may also be caused by parasites. It is recommended to have a fecal examination performed on your pet. There are also other medical conditions which can be causing your pet to scoot. To relieve your pet from discomfort, set up an appointment with your veterinarian
 

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Why does my puppy/kitten need more than one set of vaccines?

A minimum of two multivalent vaccinations (including distemper and parvo) given three to four weeks apart are required for every dog or puppy over three months old. An additional vaccination against rabies is also necessary. Vaccinations against coronavirus, Bordatella, or Lyme disease are based on owner's needs and veterinarian's advice.  For young puppies, vaccinations usually start at six-to-eight weeks of age and are given every three-to-four weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks of age. Recent information regarding parvovirus may extend this recommendation to 18 or even 20 weeks, especially for Dobes and Rottweilers

My dog is indoors, why does he/she need heartworm prevention?

Having an "indoor dog," is not enough protection. Your dog goes out to potty, and you open doors to come and go from the house. Your dog will without a doubt be exposed to mosquitoes on a regular basis. You are risking your dog's life every moment that he/she is not on heartworm preventative.

Why is pre-surgical blood work required for my dog/cat to have surgery?

Regardless of age, physical examination and medical history of your pet, we recommend diagnostic testing to identify health problems and begin treatment as early as possible. These tests are especially helpful when your pet just isn't feeling right and symptoms are hard to define. If your pet is going to be placed under anesthesia, we strongly recommend pre-anesthetic blood testing. With all of the advancements in the veterinary health care, anesthesia is extremely safe for healthy pets. But sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your pet is healthy without testing. And if your pet is not healthy complications can occur both during and after the anesthetic procedure. We can minimize any potential risks when we know the health status of your pet before administering anesthesia. Pets can't tell us when they don't feel well. A pet may appear healthy but could be hiding symptoms of a disease or ailment. For example, a pet can lose up to 75% of kidney function before showing any signs of illness. Since the liver and kidneys are the organs responsible for the breakdown and elimination of anesthesia from the body, it is extremely important to make sure these organs, as well as other organs and functions, are behaving properly. Pre-anesthetic testing does not gurantee the absence of anesthetic complications. It does, however, greatly reduce the risk of complications as well as identify medical conditions that could require medical treatment. These tests also provide baseline levels for your pet and become part of his or her medical chart for future reference.

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