FAQs
Do you have questions about your pet’s health? The team at Pet Care Clinic of Rhe High Country wants to help! We have gathered together a list of some of the most commonly asked questions along with our answers.
How do I know if my pet is having an emergency?
Any abnormalities that you notice should be evaluated as soon as possible. This may be after regular business hours and waiting to be seen could put your pet's health at risk. Some problems need to be addressed immediately and can be treated if dealt with early. Traumatic injuries may be difficult to fully evaluate visually.
What payment options to you accept?
Take a look at our payment information here >
Is pet insurance available for my pet?
Pet insurance is becoming more common as owners want to pursue more advanced diagnostics and therapeutics for their pets. Accidents and injuries often happen at inconvenient times and having insurance coverage gives owners peace-of-mind and relieves them of the burden of making difficult decisions regarding health care when cost becomes a factor. We recommend Trupanion Pet Insurance and can provide information to owners about this company at our office.
Why does my pet need annual check-ups?
A large part of our pet health care program involves the early detection of various disease processes. Once obvious symptoms develop, it is often too late to treat effectively. An exam each year for your pet is the same as a physical for you every 7-10 years!
What vaccines do you recommend for pets?
Each pet at our clinic receives a customized vaccination program that best suits the lifestyle and risk factors of that pet. Some require more vaccinations than others but our recommendations ensure that both dogs and cats are safely protected from preventable diseases in their environment. As adults, we understand that annual vaccinations are not necessary in most pets and utilize a 3 year rotating vaccine protocol. Vaccine titers for some diseases are also available for owners wishing to limit vaccinations during the lifetime of their pet.
What can I expect when I come in for my first visit to your hospital?
We need to establish you as a regular client in our computer system on your first visit. We will collect all of your pertinent contact information as well as a life history for your pet. This could include transferring records from another veterinary facility and entering vaccination and health care information into our automated reminder system. A veterinary technician will record your pet's vital signs (weight, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate), obtain a brief history and information the presenting problem, and will discuss the importance of annual heartworm testing and screening for intestinal parasites. The technician may take samples and will process these while the doctor is examining your pet. The doctor will perform a thorough physical examination on your pet and address any concerns that you may have. Any treatments will be performed, test results will be reviewed, and any questions will be answered. Sick or injured pets will be examined promptly and a diagnostic and treatment plan will be reviewed.
What pet care resources do you recommend?
We have access to numerous resources for pet owners with information regarding illnesses and diseases. Any questions owners may have can be discussed and articles detailing more information on these issues can be printed for owners to review at home when time allows. You can also visit our pet care resources page for a list of links we recommend.
Is heartworm prevention necessary year-round in the North Carolina high country?
We recommend treating your pets with heartworm preventatives year-round. People travel with their pets more than ever these days and it’s common for dogs to travel outside the area for vacation and visits. Exposure to mosquitos can infect your dog with heartworms at any time. The heartworm preventatives that we recommend also are monthly dewormers. We also recommend annual heartworm tests to make sure that your pet has not been exposed during the previous year. These combination tests also check for several tick-transmitted diseases that are not uncommon in our area.
What types of flea and tick medications do you recommend?
There are an endless variety of flea and tick medications but prescription products are safe, effective, and reliable. Many over-the-counter products are not. We stock a variety of medications that protect your pet from fleas and ticks. While these pests are less common during our colder winter months, maintaining year-round protection prevents them from ever becoming established. Preventing these parasites is far easier than exterminating them once they have infested your home.
Still have questions? No problem! Contact our team at (828) 268-1159 and we’ll be happy to help!
