Pet Clinic of Brownsburg

    736 E Main St. Brownsburg, IN 46112     317-858-9700(main)    317-858-9730(fax)
Clinic Hours: M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am - 12:00pm
FAQ
                                                                                                                              Why Should I Spay/Neuter my pet?
                                                                                                                              Fixing your pet is one of the steps                                                                                                                                   to becoming a responsible pet                                                                                                                                         owner. It is estimated that over ten                                                                                                                               million pets will be humanely                                                                                                                                           euthanized in shelters across the                                                                                                                               country due to lack of available                                                                                                                               homes. Having your pet                                                                                                                                                     spayed/neutered ensures that you                                                                                                                               won't be adding to this problem.                                                                                                                                    There is also health benefits to fixing                                                                                                                               your pet. Studies show that early                                                                                                                               neutering eliminates a pet's chances                                                                                                                               of breast cancer and prevents                                                                                                                               uterine infections, testicular cancer                                                                                                                               and uterine cancer.                                        

Why Do We Require A Deposit For New Clients?
We require a deposit for all clients that have never been seen at our facility before. We try our best to get as many patients in as we can while upholding the best in care and service as we can at an affordable price. When we schedule an appointment for you we have multiple staff members that are designated to cater to you and your pet for a specific time frame. If someone  arrives late this places a strain on our staff, you and your pet. In turn we may not be able to provide the best care possible.  If someone is unable to arrive for a scheduled appointment this raises our operating costs and makes so we could not potentially see another patient that may of needed services provided. 
If a new client shows up late, misses or reschedules an appointment within 24 hours of the appointment the $50 deposit will be forfeited. If a new client calls and reschedules or cancels the appt before 24 hours of the appointment the $50 deposit can be credited to the account or refunded. If a client shows' up for late to an appointment they may be asked to reschedule for a different time and if required a deposit the deposit will be forfeited. 

When Can I Spay/Neuter my pet?
Anytime from 4 to 6 months of age.

Do I Need To Schedule An Appointment?
We are by appointment only clinic. However we usually can get you in within 24-48 hours and depending can even get you in same day. If you do have an emergency please try to call ahead so we can try to have our staff ready for you. We know that that is not always possible but you may be charged an additional fee if you arrive without notice due to the fact we may have to reschedule other clients that day. 


When Should I Bring My New Puppy To The Vet?
When introducing a new pet into the home always have a health check by a vet ASAP. Puppies should start their DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) vaccine series between the age of 6-8 weeks and return to the vet every month to have them boostered until all four are completed. A Rabies vaccine is given over the age of 12 weeks. A fecal should ALWAYS be checked by a vet even if the pet has been de-wormed in the past. Many intestinal parasites are zoonotic and can be transferred to humans and other pets. Just because you don't see worms in the stool does not mean they aren't there. Please contact us if you have further questions or need pricing information.


Is It Okay To Declaw My Cat?
This is a very common surgical procedure done under anesthesia. When de-clawing, the nail and nail bed are both removed using a laser, which results in less bleeding, less swelling, less pain and faster recovery. Pain medication is given during and after the surgery to prevent any discomfort the cat may be feeling. The choice to de-claw your pet is personal and you should feel confident in your decision; Please contact us if you need assistance. Read our article about declawing cats HERE

Why Is My Dog Scooting His Backside On The Ground?
This is not an uncommon problem. It probably means that your dog has full or infected anal glands. These glands help dogs to mark their territory through scent. They usually empty themselves every time a dog defecates. They can become clogged, however, and unable to empty, and sometimes infection can develop. When this happens, your dog feels a constant, itchy pressure. It can be very uncomfortable.To get your dog relief, make an appointment.


My Cat Has Stopped Going In The Litter Box, What Could Be Wrong?

Medical Reasons 
Before doing anything else, take kitty to the vet to make sure there is no medical problem. Be aware that if a cat is straining at the litter box and is unable to urinate, this is an emergency situation that requires an immediate trip to the vet. 

Sometimes if a cat hurts when using the litter box, he will associate the litter box with the pain and will avoid it, even after the medical problem has been resolved. 

If your cat is male, not altered and spraying, this is not a litter box avoidance problem - your cat is marking his territory. He will back up to a wall, raise his tail, then spray urine on the surface. In the vast majority of cases, neutering the cat will stop the problem.

Sanitary Reasons
Some cats will use the litter box even if it hasn't been cleaned for a week; others will find another place to "go" if the litter box isn't scooped out daily. Some cats will "hold it" and cause themselves physical problems, while others will simply climb into a large potted plant or go on a rug.

Litter/Litter Box Reasons 
Be aware when adding a new cat to your household that he may have learned to use a particular kind of litter: some cats may have learned to like the "gravel" feel of clay litter, others may have learned to use the "sand" type clumpable; while still others may have used shredded newspapers. 
Some cats don't like covered litter boxes; others prefer them. Your cat may have an aversion to the scent or the amount of dust generated by scratching. You may have cleaned the litterbox with a strong-smelling cleaner that is irritating his nose.

Location Reasons 
Usually, a cat is most comfortable if the litter box is out of traffic patterns. If there is a lot of noise or people walking around, he may not be able to relax.

Too, a cat needs to know that he can "escape" - if the litter box is in a location where he can't see other family members approaching (particularly if those members are likely to swat him as he is in or leaving the litter box), he will probably avoid it.

Emotional Reasons 
This is much harder to diagnose and resolve. Some cats adapt to change without problems, while others have a very difficult time and show it by eliminating inappropriately. If your cat is now eliminating somewhere inappropriate, ask yourself some questions:
    - Have you added a new member of the family (human, feline, canine, etc.), or has one left? Cats have a "pecking order" and the addition of a new cat can mean conflict if both are struggling to be "top cat."
    - Is there a great deal of stress in your life, and you're showing it? 
    - Was kitty scared while in the litter box, or possibly even just while in that room - a loud noise in the house or outside, or did something happen to him while he was using the litter box? 
    - Have you recently remodeled a room, with workmen and other strangers coming and going through his "territory"? 
    - Did you recently move to a new home or apartment?
    - Did you recently move the litter box to a different location?
    - Is kitty recovering from an illness?
    - Is there a new cat in the neighborhood that your cat can see/smell?

I Have Fleas, What Can I Do To Get Rid Of Them?
Step 1
The best way to get rid of fleas is by prevention; fleas thrive in heat and humidity (and are most active in summer and fall), so assess your pet and his environment frequently.
Step 2
Help prevent fleas indoors by vacuuming your home thoroughly and frequently, paying close attention to corners, cracks, crevices and basements. Dispose of vacuum cleaner bags conscientiously, as adult fleas can escape. Also, choose your pet's friends wisely; avoid animals you suspect may carry fleas. Dog parks are fun, but a move-able feast for fleas!
Step 3
Remove any fleas from your pet using a fine-toothed pet comb designed for flea removal, and drop the fleas into soapy water to drown them.
Step 4
Wash pet bedding in hot, soapy water weekly; this is the most likely site for flea eggs and larvae.
Step 5
Prune foliage and keep grass trimmed short to increase sunlight, as flea larvae cannot survive in hot, dry areas. Remove any piles of yard debris close to your home.
Step 6
Bathe pets weekly, if possible, to get rid of fleas. If bathing is not an option, speak to your veterinarian about appropriate alternatives.
Step 7
Watch your pet for signs of flea trouble: excessive scratching and biting, especially around the tail and lower back, and possibly raw patches where the animal has been biting and scratching himself. Also watch for 'flea debris' (black, granular dried blood) and fleas themselves on your pet's skin.
Step 8
Talk to your veterinarian about various treatments for your flea-plagued pet: a flea adulticide applied monthly to the skin; a monthly pill that prevents fleas from reproducing but doesn't kill adult fleas; and multipurpose products that prevent flea reproduction and control heartworms, hookworms, whip worms and roundworms.
Step 9
Look into chemical flea-treatment products to apply by hand around the environment in spray or powder form. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on the best product and how to use it.


Why Do I Have To Get A Heartworm Test Yearly? 
Why Do I Have To Keep My Dog On Heartworm Preventative Year Round?

The earlier a disease is found the earlier treatment can be received and the better the outcome for all. In addition to that nothing is 100%. The American Heartworm Society is now recommending year-round prevention, even in seasonal areas. One reason for this is compliance ? to make sure the medicine has been given properly by the pet owner. In addition, most monthly heartworm preventives have activity against intestinal parasites. Many of these same intestinal parasites that infect dogs can also infect people, with estimated infections occurring in three to six million people every year. So this added benefit of monthly deworming makes great sense.
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