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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 $52.50. Please ask the doctor for an estimate 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 recheck 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.
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 eBrochures!
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