Resources

When should puppies and kittens come in for their first visit?

Puppies should have their initial examination around 6-8 weeks and kittens around 9 weeks of age, if there are no signs of any problems or concerns. Multiple immunizations at different visits will be required to get your new pet’s immune system ready for exposure to the environment outside your home. Puppies and kittens are highly susceptible to viruses, infections, and/or parasites, and proper early care and screening by the experienced veterinarians at Prien Lake Animal Hospital will help to give your new baby the best start in life.

Click below for a Pet Health Video about Vaccines
Vaccines

Why is it important that my pet has an examination or blood tests done yearly?

Each year your pet can age as much as a human does in seven years! This means that if your pet has not been to the veterinarian in the past year, it is the equivalent of a human not having a check up in seven years. It is very important to schedule yearly exams for your pet, especially after they reach the age of five. Call us at Prien Lake Animal Hospital to schedule your pet’s check up.

Click below for a Pet Health Video about Wellness for your Pet
Wellness for your pet

How old does my pet need to be in order to be considered “old?” And why does it matter?

Senior citizenship begins at different ages for different breeds and sizes. In dogs, typically the senior years can begin around 5 or 6 years of age for large breeds and 8 or 9 years for small breeds. For cats, it begins around 8 years old.

It is important to be mindful of your pet’s advancing age because significant health changes can take place very quickly, sometimes in as little as 3 – 6 months. We recommend bi-annual Senior Checks for our patients so that we can help you stay ahead of any potential health issues. During the appointment, our veterinarians will perform a comprehensive physical exam, noting any changes to eyes, ears, mouth, and body condition. They will also run a comprehensive blood panel to test for any abnormalities in the kidney, liver, and pancreatic enzyme levels, as well as a Complete Blood Count to monitor white blood cell, red blood cell, & platelet counts.

Today’s pets enjoy longer lives than in years past. It is our goal at Prien Lake Animal Hospital to help pets in Lake Charles live to the fullest. Performing these diagnostic tests every year helps our veterinarians detect problems before visible symptoms are present.

Click below for a Pet Health Video about Geriatric Wellness
Geriatric Wellness

Why does it matter that my pet has bad breath?

It is estimated that 80% of pets over the age of 5 years have periodontal disease which includes tartar build-up on the teeth, swollen or receding gum tissue and loss of bone support.

It takes approximately 24 hrs for plaque to harden into tartar on your pet’s teeth. As tartar builds up, it pushes the gum tissue back and away from the teeth, allowing bacteria access to the bloodstream. Studies have shown that these bacteria can be responsible for causing heart and kidney disease in many pets.

These bacteria also eat away at the jaw bone supporting the teeth, leading to pain from loose teeth and abscesses (large pockets of infection at the tooth root). The only solution for either issue is to remove the affected teeth as soon as possible. Abscesses also require antibiotic therapy.

The good news is that periodontal disease can be reversed in some instances. Scheduling a dental cleaning with Prien Lake Animal Hospital to have the tartar professionally scaled off and the teeth polished can go a long way toward extending the health and life of your pet.

Click below for a Pet Health Video about Dental Health
Dental Health

What financing options do you offer?

Prien Lake Animal Hospital strives to offer compassionate, comprehensive veterinary care. In order to continue a high quality of service, payment is expected in full at the time of examination or procedure.

We understand that unexpected veterinary expenses can sometimes be difficult to manage. That’s why we offer flexible financing options to ensure your pet gets the care they need without financial strain. Whether it’s routine wellness visits, emergency treatments, or long-term care for chronic conditions, we have solutions to fit your budget.

Our Financing Options Include:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Cash
• CareCredit: We accept CareCredit, a healthcare financing card that helps you manage veterinary expenses. With CareCredit, you can break down the cost of treatments into affordable monthly payments, with promotional interest rates for qualified clients.
• Scratchpay: We partner with Scratchpay to provide simple and affordable payment plans for veterinary care. Scratchpay offers different payment options, including no-interest or extended plans, with a quick and easy application process. Approval rates are high, and there are no hidden fees, ensuring that you can focus on your pet's care without the stress of upfront costs.

Contact us today to discuss your financing options or to learn more about how we can work with you to ensure your pet receives the best possible treatment.

At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

At Prien Lake Animal Hospital we believe that spaying and neutering are crucial components of responsible pet ownership. These procedures not only help control the pet population but also promote the long-term health and well-being of your pet.

Recommended Ages for Spaying and Neutering:

Dogs:

We generally recommend spaying or neutering dogs between 4-6 months of age. However, for larger breeds, it may be beneficial to wait until they are 18 to 24 months old to allow for proper growth and development.

Cats:

For cats, spaying or neutering is typically recommended by five to six months of age.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering:

• Health Advantages: Early spaying can significantly reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as mammary tumors in females, and eliminates the risk of uterine infections. Neutering helps prevent testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate issues in males.

• Behavioral Improvements: Neutering can help reduce unwanted behaviors, including aggression, marking territory, and roaming. This contributes to a more stable and well-behaved pet.

• Community Impact: By spaying and neutering your pets, you play an essential role in reducing the number of unwanted animals, which helps decrease the number of pets in shelters and rescues.

Prior to any surgery at Prien Lake Animal Hospital Hospital, all pets undergo a physical exam and a pre-anesthetic blood screening to determine overall fitness for the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery.

If you have further questions or would like to schedule a spay or neuter appointment, please contact our clinic today. We’re here to help you and your pet live a healthy, happy life together.

How long should I wait to bring in my pet if I notice a change in behavior?

If you notice your pet acting strangely, including loss of appetite or energy, you should call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible for an examination by our doctors. Pets have an instinctive tendency to hide pain and illness so that they do not show any weaknesses that might attract predators.

How safe is my pet's procedure?

At Prien Lake Animal Hospital, we only recommend those surgical procedures that are in the best interest of your pet. Each individual procedure varies from pet to pet and condition to condition. We recommend a physical examination, review of the patient’s medical history, and blood work for each pet that may have to be subjected to sedation or anesthesia. We use this information to screen your pet for potential issues before beginning any procedure to help ensure the safety of your pet.

Although there will always be a minimal amount of risk associated with anesthetizing your pet, we take every precaution available to ensure that any risks are minimized.

Are you accepting new clients/patients?

Yes, we are always accepting new patients/clients! At Prien Lake Animal Hospital, we are always looking forward to welcoming new clients and their fur babies into our clinic. Give us a call to set up an appointment today!

What days do you perform surgeries?

We perform surgeries Monday-Friday. We require all patients to be current on vaccines, fasted after midnight the night before, and drop off in between 7:30a.m.-9:00a.m. before performing any surgical procedures.

Our surgical team is dedicated to ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for your pet. We recommend scheduling a consultation prior to any surgical procedure to discuss the details, address any questions or concerns, and ensure that your pet is healthy enough for surgery.

If you would like to schedule a surgical appointment or have any questions regarding our surgical services, please contact us today. Our team is here to assist you and provide the best care for your furry family members.

What are the requirements for an ear trim?

The patient must be between 9-12 weeks of age. A consultation prior to accepting the patient for that procedure is required. The patient must also have at least one set of vaccines, roughly two weeks prior to the day of surgery. Give us a call today to set up your consultation!