Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are your clinic hours?
A: Monday -Friday: 8am-6pm
Saturday: 8am-12pm
Sunday: Closed
Q: Where are you located?
A: Please visit our directions page for detailed directions.
Q: Do you accept walk-ins?
In order to give our clients the care they deserve we ask you to call in
advance to schedule an appointment.
Q: How long has Dr. Heaton been practicing veterinary medicine?
A: Since 1993
Q: Do you offer grooming services?
A: We do not. We will clip toe nails for a fee.
Q: Do you offer "vaccination clinics"?
A: We offer vaccination clinics in the spring. Please visit our vaccination
clinic page for more information.
Q: What products and services do you offer?
A: We offer many products and services. Please take a moment to read
our product page and our services page.
We have split this page into two sections.
- FAQ about our clinic
- FAQ about animal health
Dog FAQ
Q: How often does a female dog go into heat?
A: Usually twice a year. However, every dog is different. Some dogs may only experience a
heat once a year where others can experience a heat 3 times a year. There are no defined
times of year a dog will go into heat.
Q: How long will my dog be in heat?
A: Most dogs are in heat for 2-3 weeks, though some can be slightly longer or slightly shorter.
If you pet experiences a very long heat cycle, call your veterinarian.
Q: At what age will my dog go into heat?
A: Most dogs will go into heat around 6 months of age. It is not unusual however for a dog to
go into heat later than this. Some dogs may not even experience a heat until they are 1 or 2
years of age. This is not a cause for concern.
Q: Should I allow my dog to go into heat once before having her spayed?
A: No. There is no benefit to allowing your dog to go into heat before having her spayed.
Q: How long is a dog pregnant?
A: approximately 63 days.
Heat Cycle and Pregnancy Questions
General Dog Health Questions
Q: My dogs nose is warm and dry, does that mean he or she is sick?
A: A warm, dry nose does not signify that your dog is sick, this is a common myth.
Q: What is a normal temperature for my dog?
A: 101 to 102.5 is a normal temperature.
Q: How do I take my dogs temperature?
A: The most reliable method is taking a rectal temperature.
Q: My dog is dragging his butt on the floor, does this indicate he has worms?
A: No. The most likely reason your dog is dragging his behind on the floor is because he has full anal
glands. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have them expressed. Anal glands left full
can become infected.
Q: What are anal glands?
A: Please see this website for detailed information on this subject: www.veterinarypartners.com
Q: What are dew claws?
A: Dew claws are a small nail on the inner side of the paw.
Q: Why do some breeders have these nails removed?
A: This nail can cause problems for the dog by catching on brush or debris and tearing. Most
breeders of hunting dogs have these removed to avoid this common problem.
Q: At what age should dew claws be removed?
A: If you decide you would like the dew claws removed on your litter of puppies, they MUST be
removed between the ages of 1-5 days. After this age the puppy must wait until 6 months of age to
have them removed. At 6 months of age this surgery is an amputation and is costly. If you have a dog
with dew claws and are considering having them removed, discuss it in-depth with your veterinarian
before making a decision.
Q: There is a smell coming from my dogs ears, could it be ear mites?
A: Very unlikely. Dogs rarely contract ear mites. The most common condition would be an ear
infection. Bacteria and yeast can build up in your dog's ears causing a bad smell. Most ear infections
will not go away without prescription medication. Contact your veterinarian to schedule an
appointment to have the problem treated. An ear infection left untreated can permanently damage
your dog's ears.
Q: What can I do to help prevent my dog from getting ear infections?
A: Cleaning your pet's ears twice a week with a good pet ear cleanser can go a long way to
preventing a painful ear infection.


Cambridge VetCare Animal Clinic, PA Cambridge, MN
|
Clinic Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday - 8am - 12pm
Sunday - Closed
This page is under
construction.
Please check
back for updates
General Cat Health Questions
Cat FAQ
Heat cycle and pregnancy questions
Q: How long are cats in heat?
A: Your cat can go into heat every two to three weeks for several months a year unless she is bred or
spayed.
Q: Will cats have heat cycles after being spayed?
A: No.
Q: At what age do cats begin their heat cycles?
A: Usually around 6 months old, but they can begin earlier.
Q: How long are cats pregnant?
A: Gestation period is approximately 65 days
Q: Should I allow my cat to have one litter of kittens before I have her spayed?
A: No. There is no benefit to allowing your cat to have a litter of kittens before being spayed.
Q: At what age can my cat be spayed:
A: 6 months. If your cat goes into heat sooner, the doctor may spay earlier.
Q: How often should I de-worm my cats?
A: If your cat is a mouser or an outside cat you should de-worm every 3 months all year round. A
non-mouser and indoor cat should be de-wormed once a year.
Q: How many litter boxes should I have for my cat?
A: two litter boxes per cat.
Q: What can I do if my cat has hairballs?
A: You can purchase over the counter medication at your veterinarian or pet specialty store. Always
follow the directions on the package.
Q: Do all cats get hairballs?
A: Yes. Even short haired cats will get hairballs and will need to be treated
Q: Should I be brushing my cats teeth?
A: Yes. Your cats oral health is very important for a long healthy life. There are many things we can
recommend for your cats oral health. Give us a call or stop in to discuss what you can do to keep your
cats teeth and gums healthy.
Q: At what age is my cat considered a senior pet?
A: 7 years old
Q: What should be done for my Senior cat?
A: Once your cat reaches 7 years old they should have a thorough examination as well as
comprehensive blood work done each year. This will allow the doctor to catch potential health issues
before they become serious.
Q: Should I bathe my cat?
A: Bathing is usually not necessary. If your cat has long hair regular combing is needed to prevent mats.
Q: Is wet food or hard food better for my cat?
A: Hard food is best. Hard food will help keep your pets teeth and gums healthy. Wet food should only
be used under advice of a veterinarian.
Q: Is my cat fat?
A: There is no set weight that is ideal for your cat. Determining if your pet is overweight is done by
running your hands along their side. You should be able to feel their ribs without pressing hard. If you
cannot, your cat is overweight.
Q: What can I do if my cat is overweight?
A: A high quality food is important for controlling your cats weight. A weight-loss food is not always
necessary. Measuring our your cats food per the products directions will go a long way to helping your
pet lose and maintain a healthy weight. If your pet is still having issues with losing weight contact your
veterinarian. There could be an underlying health issue.