Frequently Asked Questions for Jupiter Animal Hospital

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need an appointment?

Appointments are preferred, however we always try our best to accommodate walk-ins.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Care Credit. For more information about CareCredit, please click here (link to http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/)

What vaccines are required for boarding or grooming?

  • Dogs are required to be current on a rabies and bordetella. A yearly fecal examination is required.
  • Cats are required to be current on rabies. A yearly fecal examination is required.

How often does my pet need a Rabies vaccination?

The first Rabies shot your pet receives is good for 1 year. Subsequent Rabies vaccinations are available as a 1 year and 3 year after that.

When should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

The best time is 4-6 months of age. However, it can be done at most ages.

When does my pet need blood work?

Yearly blood work should be performed to detect infections and diseases. This helps veterinarians detect disease early. In many situations, early detection is essential for more effective treatment. The type of blood work will be determined specifically for each pet depending on his or her individual needs. This is convenient to do at the time of the annual heartworm test, but can be done at any time of year.

How many months should my pet be on Heartworm prevention medication?

It is recommended your pet be on heartworm prevention every month for the entire year. It is administered one time per month either by pill or by topical application. Depending on the specific product you and your veterinarian choose for your pet, heartworm prevention medication can prevent other parasite infestations including internal parasites (intestinal parasites) and external parasites (fleas and ticks). Some of these parasites can be communicated to people! A simple blood test will get your pet started.

Why does my dog need a blood test before purchasing heartworm prevention?

Dogs could get sick (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or death) if placed on heartworm prevention when they have heartworm disease. Even if they have been on heartworm prevention year round there is always the possibility that the product may have failed for various reasons (your pet spit out the pill, did not absorb the pill appropriately, topical medicine was not applied properly, forgot to administer medication on time, etc.) and the earlier we can treat you pet for heartworm disease the better the prognosis. ALL companies will guarantee their product providing you use the heartworm prevention year round and are performing yearly heartworm test. When starting heartworm prevention, or if your pet has not been on heartworm prevention year round, it is important that you perform a heartworm test 6 months after starting the prevention to rule out the pre-patent period. The pre-patent period refers to the time in which a dog has early developmental larvae which cannot be detected on a heartworm test, even though your dog is already harboring heartworm infection. If you do not do this it is possible the manufacturer of the products may not cover your pet’s treatment should they test positive for heartworm disease in the future.

My pet never goes outside so does it really need heartworm prevention?

Yes. Heartworm disease is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito and all mosquitoes get into houses.

Doesn’t the fecal sample test for heartworms?

No. Heartworm disease is a blood-borne disease that is transmitted through mosquitoes. A simple blood test will confirm whether or not you dog has heartworm disease.

How can I prevent fleas?

It is important to prevent fleas. Not only are they uncomfortable for your pet, fleas are also carriers of disease. There are many medications for the treatment and prevention of fleas. Many medications are in a combined form with the monthly heartworm medication. Not only is this convenient, but it reduces the cost of two medications! Although fleas are more prevalent in summer months, fleas can be seen year round in Florida.

Why does my pet need a dental cleaning and how often should this be done?

Dental disease involves more than just bad breath. Approximately 80% of patients that visit us on a daily basis need a professional teeth cleaning. When bacteria irritates the gum line, the gums become inflamed in the early phases of the disease causing gingivitis. Left untreated, this leads to periodontal disease which causes loss of the bone/support structure of the tooth and subsequent tooth loss. In addition, the bacteria is consistently released into the blood stream allowing for systemic infections which can cause organs, such as kidney, liver, and heart to function improperly.

How often your pet needs his/her teeth cleaned varies with many factors. Your pet’s teeth and mouth should be examined on a regular basis by a veterinarian. We will keep you informed specifically for your pet how often dental examinations and dental cleanings should be performed.

How do I know if my pet is in pain?

It can sometimes be difficult to tell! If you are not sure, but suspect your pet may be hurting or is just not acting right, call to have an examination. Some signs of pain are more obvious, such as limping. Some signs are more subtle and can include: not eating, a change in behavior or normal habits, being more tired and having less energy. Of course, these symptoms can also be caused by many problems!

What is kennel cough?

Canine Bordetella is a respiratory disease called Infectious Tracheobronchitis (kennel cough). It is easily transmitted through the air. It is a viral infection complicated by bacteria. Both intranasal and injectable vaccines are available.

What is Lepto?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. It is spread by wildlife (raccoons, skunks, opossums, squirrels, rats) and domestic animals. It can be passed to people. Canine Lepto has risen dramatically in recent years. Infected animals shed Lepto bacteria in the urine. To prevent Lepto in your dog, discourage your pet from drinking standing water and vaccinate yearly.

Hospital Hours

Monday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday8:00 am – 4:00 pm