Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend most pets receive a wellness exam every 6 months when they are healthy to catch early signs of illness before they become serious and to ensure they stay up to date on preventive care, keeping them healthier and happier for longer. Regular checkups also allow our veterinarians to tailor recommendations based on changes in a pet’s age, lifestyle, or environment.

A wellness exam is a routine checkup focused on preventive care and early detection in healthy pets, while a sick exam addresses specific symptoms or concerns when our pets are not feeling well.

Preventive care is essential for pets because it helps detect health issues early, supports a longer, healthier life, and reduces the risk of serious illness.

Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives are available during the exam. Your pet’s veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate option based on your pet’s health and lifestyle.

Wellness exams for senior pets often include additional diagnostics, such as bloodwork or imaging, to help detect age-related conditions that may not show obvious signs. Unlike younger pets, seniors are more likely to hide symptoms, making early detection through testing especially important.

If your pet is acting sick, please give our team a call as soon as possible to schedule an appointment so we can assess their condition and provide the appropriate care.

Most wounds should be examined by a veterinarian to determine if additional treatment is needed, especially if they are deep, bleeding heavily, showing signs of infection, or causing your pet discomfort.

While appointments are usually necessary to ensure your pet receives proper care, please call us right away if your pet has an emergency injury so we can advise you on the best next steps.

Common signs of illness in pets include changes in appetite or water intake, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, lethargy, difficulty breathing, changes in behavior, and unusual lumps or swelling.

We do offer emergency and same-day care depending on availability; please give our team a call so we can assess your pet’s situation and schedule the earliest possible appointment.

You can apply a basic bandage to your pet’s wound at home to help protect it, but it’s important to have a veterinarian examine the wound to ensure proper treatment and avoid complications.

Bathing needs vary based on breed, coat type, and lifestyle, but most pets benefit from a bath every 4-8 weeks.

Our bathing services typically include a thorough wash, blow dry, brush out, ear cleaning, and nail trim (if your pet allows). Check with the Northside Animal Clinic team to verify their specific included services.

Yes, we offer a variety of pet-safe shampoos, including options for sensitive skin, allergies, and medical conditions.

Yes, our team is trained in low-stress handling techniques to help make the experience as calm as possible.

Let us know before the appointment – our team can use medicated or flea-control shampoos as recommended by the veterinarian. You may also be asked to use a pre-treatment prior to dropping off.

Absolutely! We welcome pets of all sizes and coat types.

Baths typically take 1-2 hours, but timing may vary depending on your pet’s size, coat, and temperament. Actual pickup time may vary based on the day’s grooming lineup and order of appointments.

Yes, nail trimming is usually included, as long as your pet tolerates it.

Our location may offer bathing services for both cats and dogs. Please check with Northside Animal Clinic for availability.

Your pet’s safety and well-being are our top priorities. We provide attentive care, secure accommodations, and closely monitor all pets throughout their stay.

Absolutely! We welcome tours during regular business hours. Please call ahead to schedule a visit.

Yes, we offer both short- and long-term boarding options. Just let us know your pet’s needs and length of stay.

Our trained veterinary team can accommodate many medical needs, including administering medications. We recommend discussing your pet’s care in advance.

We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for holidays and peak seasons, as spots can fill up quickly.

Pets need routine dental care to prevent plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth loss, which can lead to pain and other health issues. Regular cleanings help maintain their overall health and keep their breath fresh.

Your pet should have a dental exam at least once to twice a year, though some pets may need more frequent checkups depending on their age, breed, and dental health.

Most pets should have a dental cleaning once a year, but some may need cleanings more often depending on their breed, age, and individual dental health. Our team will recommend the best schedule for your pet.

Signs of dental disease in pets include bad breath, yellow or brown buildup on teeth, red or bleeding gums, difficulty eating, pawing at the mouth, and drooling. In more advanced cases, you may notice loose teeth or swelling around the face or mouth.

Your veterinarian can determine if your pet needs a tooth extracted based on signs like loose or broken teeth, infection, severe gum disease, or pain during eating. Imaging (if applicable) and a thorough dental exam help assess the tooth’s condition and guide the decision.

Yes, bad teeth can affect your pet’s overall health—dental disease can lead to pain, difficulty eating, and infections that may spread to vital organs like the heart, liver, or kidneys.

Deciding when to say goodbye to your pet is deeply personal, but signs like chronic pain, severe loss of quality of life, or inability to enjoy daily activities are important to consider; our veterinarians can help guide you through this difficult decision with compassion and support.

No, euthanasia is designed to be a peaceful and painless process that gently puts your pet to sleep without suffering.

Yes, you can stay with your pet during euthanasia to provide comfort and say goodbye in a peaceful, supportive environment.

Our team strives to make blood sampling and diagnostics like x-rays as comfortable and stress-free as possible for your pet, using gentle handling and calming techniques throughout the process.

Blood work is important for pets of all ages because it helps detect hidden health issues early and provides a baseline for monitoring their overall well-being.

X-rays allow us to see the internal structure of your pet’s body such as bones, organs, and tissues to help diagnose injuries and other medical conditions.

Whether ultrasound is better than x-rays for your pet depends on what the veterinarian needs to see. X-rays are best for looking at bones and larger or obvious changes, while ultrasounds are better for checking smaller or more detailed changes on body organs.

A urinalysis is performed by collecting a small urine sample from your pet, either during the exam or through a special collection method, which is then tested to check for signs of infection, kidney health, and other conditions.

Most diagnostic tests, like blood draws, x-rays, and ultrasounds, cause little to no pain and are done as gently as possible to keep your pet comfortable.

Yes, allergies in pets can be diagnosed through a combination of your pet’s history, physical exam, and specific tests such as skin or blood allergy tests.

The time to get your pet’s test results depends on the type of test; common tests done in-house often provide results the same day, while specialized tests sent to reference labs may take several days to come back. Your pet’s veterinarian will recommend the best option for your pet.

If your pet is nervous or aggressive during testing, our team will use gentle handling and calming techniques to keep them comfortable and safe; in some cases, sedation may be recommended to reduce stress and allow for quicker, more effective care.

Senior pets should typically have diagnostic tests done at least once a year, but if they have a chronic condition or ongoing health concern, more frequent testing may be recommended to monitor their health closely.

Whether your pet needs to fast before blood work or testing depends on the specific test being performed, so it’s best to check with the hospital ahead of time for proper instructions.

A pet microchip is a small, implantable device that contains a unique ID number linked to your contact information, helping reunite lost pets with their owners when scanned by a veterinarian or shelter.

Yes, microchipping is a safe and quick procedure that provides a permanent form of identification to help protect your pet if they ever get lost.

No, a microchip does not track your pet’s location; it simply stores identification information that can be scanned by a veterinarian or shelter to help reunite you with your pet.

Pets can typically be microchipped as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age, but your veterinarian will recommend the best timing based on your pet’s health and vaccination schedule.

Yes, registering the microchip is important to ensure your contact information is up to date, and our team will gladly guide you through the registration process and provide any assistance you may need.

If you move or change phone numbers, be sure to contact the company where your pet’s microchip is registered to update your contact information so you can be reached if your pet is found.

Microchips are designed to be permanent and are not typically removed or replaced, but if there’s ever an issue, your veterinarian can discuss the best options with you.

Yes, a microchip greatly increases the chances of reuniting with your lost pet by providing permanent identification that shelters and veterinarians can scan to contact you.

Yes, even with a microchip, your pet should wear a collar with ID tags for quick identification, as collars are the easiest and fastest way for someone to contact you if your pet gets lost.

Signs your pet may be in pain include changes in behavior like hiding or aggression, limping, decreased appetite, restlessness, vocalizing more than usual, or changes in grooming habits.

Conditions that commonly cause pain in pets include arthritis, injuries, dental disease, infections, cancer, and certain chronic illnesses.

Acute pain is sudden and usually short-term, often caused by injury or surgery, while chronic pain is long-lasting and ongoing, often linked to conditions like arthritis or nerve damage.

Depending on your pet’s condition, frequent visits may be needed to monitor and adjust pain management plans to keep them comfortable and improve their quality of life.

Parasite prevention is essential because parasites like fleas, ticks, and heartworms can cause serious health problems, including disease and discomfort. Protecting your pet helps keep them healthy and prevents the spread of parasites to other animals and people.

The frequency of parasite prevention depends on the type of product used and the manufacturer’s recommendations, so it’s important to follow your veterinarian’s guidance to keep your pet protected year-round.

Yes, even indoor cats and dogs need parasite prevention because fleas, ticks, and other parasites can enter the home through people, other pets, or open doors and windows.

Yes, some medications are designed to protect against multiple parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and heartworms, but your veterinarian will recommend the best option based on your pet’s specific needs.

Common parasites that affect dogs and cats include fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites.

You should protect your pet from fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal worms like roundworms and hookworms, though the specific parasites to guard against may vary depending on where your pet lives and their lifestyle.

Signs of a parasite infection in pets can include itching, hair loss, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, coughing, and visible parasites like fleas or ticks on their skin.

A parasite prevention exam includes a physical checkup and discussion of your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors; we may also recommend a fecal test to check for intestinal parasites and help tailor the best prevention plan.

Yes, puppies and kittens need special parasite care because they are more vulnerable to infections and require age-appropriate deworming and prevention protocols to keep them healthy.

Yes, surgery is generally safe for pets; our veterinarians take many precautions such as pre-anesthetic testing, monitoring during the procedure, and tailored anesthesia plans to help ensure your pet’s safety and comfort.

To prepare your pet for surgery, follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully, which usually include fasting for a certain period, limiting water intake, and ensuring your pet arrives calm and on time for their appointment.

Your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery, but our veterinarians use pain management techniques and medications to keep them as comfortable as possible during recovery.

Recovery time after surgery varies depending on the procedure and your pet’s health, but most pets start feeling better within a few days to a couple of weeks with proper care and rest.

Yes, pets typically need to fast before surgery to reduce the risk of vomiting and complications during anesthesia; your veterinarian will provide specific fasting instructions based on your pet’s age and health.

Veterinarians use safe, modern anesthesia tailored to each pet, often starting with injectable medications followed by inhaled gases to keep them comfortably asleep and pain-free during procedures.

After surgery, provide a quiet, comfortable space for your pet to rest, follow all medication and care instructions from our veterinarian, monitor the surgical site for any signs of infection, and limit your pet’s activity until they’ve fully healed.

Yes, follow-up care is typically included after surgery to monitor your pet’s healing, remove stitches if needed, and address any concerns to ensure a smooth recovery.