Keeping Your Pet Healthy.

There are several measures you can take to help insure that your pet remains healthy. Yearly physical examinations are important and should coincide with the yearly booster vaccinations. On your first visit, bring a fresh sample of your pet's stool so that we can test for intestinal parasites (worms). This should be performed at periodic intervals throughout your pet's life. All dogs, even those living primarily indoors, should have a blood test for heartworms each spring. They should then be placed on a once-a-month preventative medication. Your pets, male and female, should be neutered at 5 to 6 months of age unless you have plans to breed them. Besides being the most effective form of birth control, many behavioral and medical problems are eliminated when you neuter your pet at an early age. Finally, a good diet and plenty of exercise are very important to maintaining your pet's well being. By your efforts and ours, your pets can live a healthy, happy, and productive life.

Vaccinations

Your dog or cat should receive its first vaccinations between 6 and 8 weeks of age. This schedule pertains to the distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, corona, and parvo vaccinations for dogs, and panleukopenia (feline distemper), rhinotracheitis, and calici virus vaccinations for cats. Both dogs and cats need yearly boosters to protect them from disease. Dogs and cats must receive a rabies vaccination at three months of age according to Pennsylvania State Law. All animals, after their original vaccination must receive a booster vaccination one year later and then at least every three years thereafter. At the Kingston Veterinary Clinic, we recommend rabies vaccinations be given every two years.

Emergencies

Emergency service is available by calling our office at (570)288-3689. After office hours, a recorded message will provide you with further instructions. Our answering service will be available for clients of the Kingston Veterinary Clinic.

Surgery

Surgeries are performed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday by appointment. You should call in advance (5 to 7 days) before you would like the surgery done. It is required that your pet have a physical exam and vaccinations within the past year before having surgery. More specific instructions will be given to you when you schedule the procedure.