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Welcome to Mercer Island Veterinary Clinic online.
We strive to
provide top quality patient care with a family atmosphere. We hope to
provide pet owners with the services and information they need in order
to enhance and enrich the lives of their pets. Here are the answers to our most Frequently
Asked Questions.
When
are you open?
We are open Monday-Saturday 7:30am-6:00pm
Do I
need an appointment?
We recommend appointments for most visits. We work
using an
appointment schedule to help reduce waiting time for clients. Nail
trims, anal gland expressions, follow-up blood testing, drain removal
and suture removal visits do NOT require an appointment. All other
visits including routine annual checkups, vaccinations, visits for a
problem or illness and any visit for anesthesia or surgery require
appointments.
How
long will my visit take?
The length of your visit depends on why your pet
is coming to the clinic.
For routine checkups and vaccinations or a checkup
for a single
problem, allow 30-45 minutes for your visit. Be sure to come about 5
minutes early to check in with the receptionist. If you have more than
one concern about your pet's health, allow 60 minutes for your
appointment and be sure to let the receptionist know about each concern
you have.
Anesthetic procedures like day surgeries, spay or
neuter surgeries
and dental cleanings require a day's stay in the hospital. Pets should
be dropped off between 7:30 and 8:00am. Checkout is generally between
4:00pm and 6:00pm. Allow 10 minutes in the morning for your pet's
check-in procedure, and 20 minutes in the afternoon for discharge
instructions.
How much
will my visit cost?
Almost all appointments begin with a comprehensive
examination with
the veterinarian. The cost for the exam and consultation is $65.60.
Please ask the doctor for a treatment plan with estimated costs if he
or she is recommending additional services. We are always happy to
provide complete estimates before initiating treatment.
My pet
is having anesthesia, what do I need to do before my appointment?
Pets having procedures requiring anesthesia should
be checked in
between 7:30am and 8:00am. Please allow 10-15 minutes for your morning
check-in. Pets should be fasted after 8pm the night
before. No food for 12 hours before check-in. Water is always fine.
Be sure to make a list of the procedures you wish to have performed
during your pet's visit and any questions you have. During check-in,
your pet's technician will go over the plan for the day and answer all
of your questions.
You may wish to fill out an anesthetic consent
form before your
appointment. This is especially important if you are sending a spouse,
child or other representative to drop off your pet. Filling out your
anesthetic consent form in advance also speeds up the morning check-in
process. DOWNLOAD your consent
form here.
I'm
concerned about my pet receiving anesthesia. Is it safe?
Any procedure involving anesthesia does have a
certain amount of
risk associated with it. However, we do everything we can to make
anesthesia as safe as possible. We are very successful in performing
anesthesia safely and our patients do very well. Our clinic is proud
that we have never experienced a patient loss because of anesthetic
complications.
Making anesthesia as safe as possible involves a
multi-part plan.
The first part involves assessing the health of the patient prior to
anesthesia. A history is collected from the owner and an examination is
performed by the doctor. We recommend drawing a blood
sample
before anesthesia to check organ function and overall internal health
to assure the patient will be a good anesthesia candidate, and that
appropriate anesthetic medications are chosen. Each
client is asked to consent to these blood tests during check-in.
The second part of the plan is to provide
excellent supportive care before, during and after anesthesia. We
recommend placing an intravenous catheter and administering fluid
therapy during the day.
This assures proper hydration, maintains good blood pressure during
anesthesia and allows rapid venous access if drugs need to be given
during the procedure. Administering fluids also makes it easier for
some anesthetic medications to be excreted and patients recover more
quickly. Each client is asked to consent to this supportive care during
check-in. Additionally, we support our patients by providing heat
sources to prevent hypothermia, using electronics and veterinary
technicians to monitor blood pressure, heart rate and blood oxygenation
during the procedure. Our patients are always directly supervised
during anesthesia and recovery.
The third part of the plan is to use
safe anesthetic agents and protocols.
Many patients receive a preanesthetic medication to relieve the anxiety
of being in the hospital and smooth induction of and recovery from
anesthesia. Each patient receives an induction of appropriate drugs. We
use modern agents such as Propofol or ketamine/diazepam for induction.
A tube is placed in the windpipe of the patient to protect the airway
and deliver inhalant anesthesia. Isoflurane and Sevoflurane are both
available here at the clinic, and each drug is chosen specifically to
meet the needs of each patient. Inhalant anesthesia is
very safe.
It is used in humans including infants. The level of anesthesia can be
constantly adjusted so precisely the right amount of drug is
administered - and it can be turned off as soon as we want the patient
to awaken. Recovery is generally smooth and rapid. Patients can
generally walk out with their owners and are only slightly drowsy at
home.
By assuring we have as much information about our
patient as
possible before anesthesia, providing good supportive care and patient
monitoring and using the safest anesthetic drugs and protocols
available, we assure that anesthesia will be safe.
What
vaccinations should my pet receive?
Vaccinating pets protects them from dangerous
diseases. Many pet
owners also know that any medication or treatment, including
vaccination, can have undesirable side effects. Our doctors work with
each client and patient on an individual basis to determine the risk of
exposure for disease, and decide which vaccines are recommended for
each pet as an individual. For specific information about each
individual vaccine, please read our eBrochure "Vaccinations for Cats
and Dogs," and ask questions during your pet's examination.
My
pet is due for vaccinations. Will he or she need an examination? Why?
The most important part of a pet's visit with the
doctor is the
physical examination. By performing an examination and consulting with
the pet owner, the doctor can monitor the health and aging of the
patient. Pets age much more quickly than people. Additionally, pets can
not tell us when they hurt or when something subtle is bothering them.
Routine examinations at least once yearly as well as routine laboratory
testing help us keep tabs on our patients' health and tell us the
things they can't say.
If your pet has not been examined by the
veterinarian here within
the past 30 days, we will require an examination prior to vaccination.
Routine examinations are important for overall health, and especially
important before vaccinations. Vaccinations stimulate an immune
response in the patient to build resistance to diseases. A sick pet
should never be vaccinated because the vaccine could make them even
sicker. It is of vital importance to be sure vaccines are only
administered to pets who are completely healthy.
The
doctor recommended a medical progress exam, is this really necessary?
Yes. Anytime the veterinarian asks to see a
patient to follow-up, we
really do want to see you! Recheck examinations help us be sure we have
selected the right course of treatment and that we do not stop
treatment too soon. By rechecking the problem, we can sometimes prevent
recurrences and assure a return to good health. Remember, pets can't
tell us how they feel - it is important for the veterinarian to perform
regular examinations to maintain good health.
When
should my pet be spayed or neutered?
We recommend all dogs and cats be spayed or
neutered. Spaying and
neutering reduces the risks of health problems and some undesirable
behaviors. It also guarantees no accidental litters will be born -
remember, upwards of 6 million healthy pets are euthanized in shelters
in the United States alone simply for lack of homes!
Any pet 16 weeks of age or older is ready to be
spayed or neutered.
We always recommend performing the surgery before 6 months of age to
avoid heat cycles and sexual maturity. Younger pets recover from
surgery more quickly than older pets, have small incisions and females
avoid the risk of mammary cancer associated with heat cycles. Spaying
or neutering requires a one-day stay in the hospital, pets go home with
their families the same afternoon following surgery.
The
postcard said "Bring a stool sample to your appointment." Why?
Our clinic recommends checking a stool sample on
all patients at
least once a year. Intestinal parasites pose a health risk not only to
pets but to people. Some parasites cause direct problems to pets such
as diarrhea, vomiting, blood loss, loss of nutrition and other
symptoms. Other parasites can be carried and spread by pets without any
symptoms at all.
Parasites are definitely a problem right here on
Mercer Island -- Click here to
download a copy of test results from stools collected at Mercer
Island's dog park.
Additionally, some parasites are zoonotic -
meaning they can be
transmitted to people! Children are especially susceptible to
contracting parasites from pets. The most common parasite of dogs and
cats is roundworm. When roundworm infects people it can lead to serious
problems including permanent blindness. Roundworm eggs can live in the
environment for years in the Seattle area, continuing to infect pets
and people who frequent the area long into the future. A simple stool
test can check for the presence of roundworms and many other parasites.
We recommend regular stool specimen evaluation for the health of our
patients AND their families!
My pet
has bad breath. Should I be concerned?
Yes, you should. Sometimes we talk about "dog
breath." But most of
the time if a pet has bad breath, they have dental disease. As many as
8 out of every 10 pets we examine has dental disease. Plaque, tartar,
gingivitis and halitosis are caused by bacteria living inside the
mouth. Pets can not tell us when their teeth hurt, so anytime your pet
has bad breath a visit to the doctor is in order.
Our clinic performs dental cleanings every day. Anesthesia
is required to perform dental cleanings. During a cleaning, we use an
ultrasonic scaler to remove plaque and tartar above and below the
gumline. We can also take dental radiographs, treat periodontal disease
and extract teeth if necessary. We are pleased to provide for all your
pet's dental needs here at Mercer Island Veterinary Clinic.
How
can I tell if my pet is the proper weight?
Approximately 7 out of every 10 pets we examine
are overweight. To
check your pet's weight, place your thumbs on his or her backbone and
run your fingers up and down each side. You should be able to easily
feel every rib with a tiny bit of fat between your fingers and the
ribs. If you have to press in at all to feel the ribs, your pet may be
overweight. If the ribs stick out your pet may be too thin. If you are
unsure, just stop by anytime. A member of our staff or a veterinarian
can help you determine your pet's body condition.
My pet
is shaking his head or scratching at his ears. They have an odor. What
does this mean?
Ear infections are very common in dogs. The most
common symptoms are
an odor to the ear, head shaking, holding an ear odd or scratching the
ears. Many dogs who come in for routine checkups have ear infections
which they have successfully hidden from their families.
Ear infections have many causes from water or
foreign objects
getting in the ear to allergies. Most ear infections involve
inflammation, bacteria and yeast. We can help treat your pet's current
ear infection and investigate the underlying causes to help prevent
future problems. Please call for an appointment if your pet displays
any of these symptoms.
My cat
is urinating outside the litter box, what do I do?
The most common reason adult cats are surrendered
to shelters is for
urinating outside the litter box. Inappropriate urination can be caused
by medical problems, behavioral issues or a combination of both.
Urinary tract disease is one of the 3 most common diseases of cats.
Any cat who is urinating inappropriately should
come for a visit
with the veterinarian. By conducting an examination, talking with the
client and running laboratory tests, the veterinarian can determine if
the problem is caused by a medical condition or a behavioral issue. We
can help with both types!
My
pet has diarrhea or is vomiting. When should I worry?
Any time you are concerned, feel free to call our
office for an
appointment. Generally if the diarrhea or vomiting is present with NO
other symptoms, the pet should be brought to the doctor if symptoms
continue for more than 24 hours.
If diarrhea or vomiting is combined with lethargy,
weakness,
discomfort, pacing, reluctance to lie down, reluctance to move or
general malaise, the pet should be seen the same day. Please call for
an appointment. Also, if there is blood in the feces or vomit, call
immediately for an appointment.
Why
did the doctor recommend keeping my cat indoors?
Studies have shown that indoor-only cats live
longer, healthier
lives. Cats who live indoors are protected from cat fight wounds such
as punctures and abscesses, deadly diseases like FIV and Feline
Leukemia, being hit by a car or in another accident and from inclement
weather.
Fight wounds and diseases are dangerous to pets
and expensive to
treat. Preventing these problems is easiest by keeping cats indoors.
Ask our staff for tips on converting your outdoor cat to live indoors,
or to get your kitten started out on the right foot for indoor living.
Another option is a protected cat enclosure. Cat enclosures allow pets
to go outside without encountering the dangers of accidents. We
recommend all cats live indoors-only to keep them healthy and happy for
nine long lives.
My
dog is constantly itchy. He licks his feet and scratches. What is wrong
with him?
The most common causes of itching are allergies
and parasites. Dogs
commonly have allergies to fleas, airborne agents like pollen, mold and
mildew, dust mites and foods. If your pet is constantly itchy, be sure
he or she is flea-free and come in for an appointment with the
veterinarian. We like to see our patients be as comfortable as
possible. We can stop the itch and help prevent future problems! For
more information on allergies and flea control, check out our eBrochures.
How
do I choose the right puppy or dog for my family?
Choosing the right dog or puppy is very important
to ensure a long,
happy family relationship. There are many different types of dogs and
many different types of family. Ask yourself these questions:
- How active is my family? How much exercise do I
want to provide?
- How much time do I have for housebreaking?
Would I rather have a dog who is already housebroken?
- Does my dog need to be good with kids? Other
dogs? Elderly people?
- Do I want a dog who can participate in sports
like agility, obedience or flyball?
- How much grooming do I want to do? Every day?
Every week?
- How big a dog do I want? Will I be able to get
my dog to the vet in an emergency?
Pet shelters have many wonderful dogs and puppies
looking for new
homes every day. There are also many reputable breeders in our area. NEVER
BUY A PUPPY AT A PET STORE!
When buying from a breeder or adopting from a shelter, expect to answer
lots of questions about the type of home you can provide. If the
shelter or breeder doesn't screen you carefully, consider looking
elsewhere for a dog. Shelters and breeders screen carefully to assure
they provide you with the dog which will fit most successfully into
your household. Let them help.
Do lots of research before choosing a breed. Feel
free to call our
office or stop by for counseling to help choose just the right breed or
mix for your family. Also, remember these tips when purchasing a puppy
or adult dog from a breeder:
- Research health issues within your breed such
as hip or
elbow dysplasia, eye problems, seizures, heart disease or cancer. Ask
about the health of the breeding stock, ask to see PROOF of
examinations for hips, elbows and eyes.
- Always ask to see both parents. Always visit
the breeder's home and
facilities. Breeders who do not invite you to their homes or offer to
introduce you to the parents usually have something to hide.
- Ask what kind of health guarantee is provided
with the puppy or dog.
- Make sure the breeder will take the puppy or
dog back if you can not keep it for any reason.
- Reputable breeders will ask you to sign a
contract outlining the purchase conditions.
- Breeders should ask lots of questions before
agreeing to place a dog with your family.
- Let the breeder help you choose your puppy!
Remember, they have
known these pups all their lives and you have only known them for a
day. The breeder's wisdom is invaluable in this way.
- Never pick out a puppy and purchase it on the
same day. Always think about it overnight.
- Be sure to schedule a health checkup with the
veterinarian within 72 hours of picking up your new pet.
How do
I introduce a new puppy, dog, kitten or cat?
Make sure to have your new pet examined by a
veterinarian before
introducing it to your existing pets. You don't want to introduce any
diseases unknowingly. Always introduce pets in a neutral part of the
house or neighborhood. Cats are best introduced gradually over a period
of a week or so. For more tips on proper introductions, check out our Pet Care Brochures. |
