We are pleased to offer home visits and we do them routinely.

There are a number of possibilities that cause dogs to scoot. They can be internal or external and either a mild problem or possibly life threatening. If your dog is scooting, the best thing for you to do is have a doctor do an exam. Allergies or anal sac problems are a frequent cause of scooting or licking.

Cats often live into their late teens.

The life span of dogs varies greatly based a lot on the breed. Giant breeds have the shortest life span -- often less than 10 years. Large breed (Labs, Retrievers, Shepherds) often live into their early teens and small breeds into their late teens.

We don’t recommend giving you pet any kind of bone. Bones can cause many problems, such as intestinal obstruction, bacterial infection or broken teeth. Instead, when used correctly, rawhides, Nylabones or Kongs can entertain your dog and help keep his teeth clean.

Mouth odor is usually a sign of dental disease that requires treatment. We can help you with treatments and demonstrate preventive care. Please make an appointment.

These signs indicate a potentially serious problem. Your pet needs to be seen right away!

This is a fairly common problem with puppies but is also seen in older dogs. Picking up the stool immediately is one of the best ways to break the habit. There is also a food additive (msg) that may help. Please allow us to help you solve this problem.

We recommend a hypoallergenic animal shampoo. Please don’t use people shampoo--the ph is wrong and can dry out or irritate your pet’s skin. Also, some ingredients may not be safe for your pet.

We feed Science Diet Maintenance for healthier pets and A/D or I/D for more critical cases.

Yes, it is not possible to clean teeth appropriately without anesthesia. A complete dental requires cleaning teeth both above and below the gum line, probing to document any pockets that may be present, and checking for decay or other underlying problems. These procedures are not tolerated by any pets without anesthesia.

Ear odor or discharge can be signs of potentially serious medical problems. Please schedule an exam right away.

Yes, we do have a low incidence of heartworms in Utah. Unfortunately, it is much like Russian roulette. We never know which mosquito is the infected one. Preventing the disease simply requires a monthly pill.

We discourage bringing bedding and toys. We are unable to guarantee their return.

What you saw may be larvae from internal parasites or a maggot from flies after the stool was on the ground. Please call for an appointment to bring your pet in for an exam. If possible bring a stool sample, including the worm.

The animals are fed, watered and walked four times daily.

Yes, the dogs are walked four times a day

Yes, you may visit your pet while hospitalized. However, we may have to ask you to wait due to circumstances in the treatment area.

Be careful! When dogs are fighting they don’t take time to determine what or whom they are chomping on. In an attempt to break up the fight, you can spray them with water. There is usually a reason for the behavior and we would love to have a behavior consult with you to return the family to peace. Often, simple hierarchy problems are the cause. If your pet’s problems are more complicated, we have the dedication and desire to help you come up with a treatment plan and monitor its results. Time and dedication on your part would be required.

Hip dysplasia is a disorder that has many components. Genetics play a major part but environmental factors, such as feeding and early exercise, can also contribute to the problem. Dysplasia usually results in arthritis, pain, and lameness.

A stool sample is required to diagnose internal parasites. Please make an appointment and we will obtain a stool sample and test for worms.

Please call or come in immediately. If possible, bring the box or a label, so appropriate treatment can be started as soon as possible.

This can be a very difficult problem to solve but the very best place to start is to rule out any disease that may be present. Urinary tract disease is the most common reason for inappropriate urination. Litter box problems are often one of the most common problems with cats. It is important to begin solving the problem as soon as possible. The longer they are out of the litter box the more difficult it is to get them back in. We have many treatments to help you achieve this.

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious agent that can be found in cat feces and meat (especially lamb). It can cause serious problems during pregnancy. Pregnant women should avoid all contact with litter boxes and cat feces, and garden with gloves, especially during the first trimester. Eating undercooked meat holds the greatest risk for pregnant women. Please consult your obstetrician about this or visit www.cdc.org.

Heartworms are blood parasites that are transmitted by mosquitoes. The resulting infection can cause serious illness and possibly death. We are able to easily test for heartworms with a simple blood test. We recommend heartworm medication year around because it also treats for internal parasites that pets can be exposed to any time.

Yes, Sarcoptic mange can be transferred from pet to people. Demodectic mange, cannot be transferred. If you think you have been exposed, please see your doctor.

Yes, there are diseases that can be transmitted from companion animals to people. They are called zoonotic diseases. For more information you can call your veterinarian or email www.petsandparasites.org.

Yes, if you think you have symptoms or have been exposed please contact your doctor for treatment. We can talk to you about your cat’s treatment.

The number of things that cause dogs to itch is too long to list but some of them are contagious to other dogs and people. Allergies, mites, skin infections, and food allergies are common. We suggest you make an appointment to determine the cause and treatment.

The test is a simple blood test performed right in the hospital.

Fleas are not normally seen in the Rocky Mountain area. The environment does not support them well but occasionally they are brought in by traveling pets. Treatment of both the pet and the environment is best for getting rid of them. Please call or schedule an appointment for treatment information. Most itching pets living in this area have a problem other then fleas.

Ear mites are a fairly common problem in cats but the mites need to be identified prior to treatment to make sure yeast or bacteria are not involved. It is treated with medication applied directly to the ear or to the skin. Usually one treatment cures the problem. Occasionally two treatments are needed.

Feline leukemia (FELV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are two diseases that can be passed from cat to cat. FELV can be transmitted through cat to cat grooming, food and water bowls and from mom to kittens. FIV requires more contact and is usually transmitted during fights. Both viruses are easily detected with a simple blood test. Vaccines are also available for both diseases. We recommend FELV vaccine for cats that go outdoors. We do not currently recommend the FIV vaccine due to problems testing for the disease once the vaccine is given and the poor efficacy of the vaccine.