Pet Forms & Education

The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic dedicates a lot of time towards client education as we strongly believe that educated pet parents are informed to make the best decisions for their pets. Whether it is a a simple “How-To-Care” sheet, a common illness or disease – including what options are available for your companions – or commonly asked questions regarding your pet’s habits or behavior. Please visit the links and pages below for common care sheets and information on some diseases, behaviors and habits. Don’t forget to call us with any questions you may have at (480) 945-8484

*We are constantly updating and adding to this page with more information to offer our pet parents, so keep checking back for more information!*

Dog & Cat Diarrhea Information

Pick Up / Drop Off

Print and Fill out ahead of time to speed up drop off appointments! (on your way to work or shopping)

General Information

Dog (Canine) Spay, Neuter, Vaccine Prices and Services

The following pages provide a description of the surgery options for spay and neuter of your pet. It also explains the procedures and recommendations for the health of your pet. Feel free to download these forms to help with the process of keeping your pet healthy.

Cat (Feline) Spay, Neuter, Vaccine Prices and Services

Health & Wellness – Dog and Cat

Bearded Dragons

Bearded Dragon Care

Birds

Chinchilla

Desert Tortoise

Guinea Pig

Iguana

Iguana Care

Rabbit

Rat and Mouse

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The Advantages of Neutering Your Male Pet

Many people choose not to neuter their male pet because they believe it takes away their “manhood” or makes their pet less masculine. Some people think that neutering can change their pet’s personality and may make them gain weight. While some people’s reasoning may be true, the benefits of neutering far outweigh the reasons for keeping your pet intact (not neutered). Below are listed the advantages of neutering. Please keep them in mind when deciding what is best for your pet’s health and well-being.

Advantages of Neutering Your Pet:

Neutering prevents cancer of the testicles and prostate
Birth control
Greatly decreased chance of prostate diseases
Neutering helps curb unwanted marking of territory
Decreased aggressive and territorial tendencies
Intact pets tend to frequently escape and roam to find mates

After your pet’s surgery, you will notice he will be sleepy, possibly for a few days, as the anesthesia wears off. Some pets prefer to be alone in a quiet, dark area to recuperate. This is completely normal and should be allowed.

You will be given pain medications for your pet to keep him comfortable. The doctor may send home additional medication for sedation, if necessary, if he is normally very active. It is important to keep him from jumping, playing and running around for about one week so that his incision may heal properly.

If you have any questions about what to expect with your pet’s neuter, please feel free to call. Our nurses would be more than happy to answer any questions you have. We at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic understand that pets are not just pets; they are beloved members of the family.

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The Advantages of Spaying Your Female Pet

Some people choose not to spay their female pet because their male pets are neutered or because there are no male animals around. Many people are simply concerned with the possibility of unwanted offspring, and are not aware of the medical risks involved in owning an un-spayed female. Also, too many people are unaware that smaller mammals, such as rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs have greater health risks when not spayed. Listed below are the advantages of spaying your pet. Please consider them while deciding what is in the best interest for the health and longevity of your loved one.

Advantages of Spaying Your Pet:

Spaying prevents uterine or ovarian cancers or infections. Uterine infections (pyometra) can easily cost $1000-3000 to treat.
Greatly decreased chance of mammary tumors and cancer
No unwanted offspring
No more messy heat periods or unwanted male attention

After your pet’s surgery, you will notice she will be sleepy, possibly for a few days.

Some pets prefer to be alone in a quiet, dark area to recuperate. This is completely normal and should be allowed. You will be given pain medications for your pet to make her more comfortable. The doctor may send home medication for sedation in case she is normally very active. It is important to keep her from jumping and running around for at least one week so that her incision may heal properly.

If you have any questions about what to expect with your pet’s spay surgery, please feel free to call. Our nurses would be more than happy to answer any questions you have. We at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic understand that pets are not just pets; they are beloved members of the family.

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Tips on Giving Your Pet Oral Medication

Cats:

When giving a medication in pill form first try wrapping it in deli meat, tuna fish or any treat your cat will enjoy. If that does not work, try the options below:
Capsules are easy to break open and sprinkle over wet food or tuna fish
Tablets: hide in wet food. Be sure to ask your veterinarian before crushing any medication. Some medications may become TOXIC when crushed.
If the above do not work you will have to force your cat to take the medication. Place the pill on the inside of the back corner of the mouth – as far back as you can get it. Then hold the mouth closed while they swallow. Dipping the tablet in a small amount of butter will help it slide down easier.
Liquid medications: you can sprinkle over food or tuna
If you free feed your cat you will need to give the liquid directly. Draw the medication up with the syringe/dropper provided. Insert the tip of the syringe in the pouch between the cheek and the teeth and slowly squirt the medication in while you cat swallows. If this does not work you can open the jaw by placing your fingers on each side of the jaw and pinching behind the canines. Once you have the mouth open slowly squirt the medication so as not to gag the cat but quickly enough they don’t have time to pull away. You can also hold the scruff and tilt the head back to squirt into the side of the mouth.

Dogs:

When giving a pill simply wrap it in any kind of human food or dog treat. Follow the medicated treat with a second, larger treat to encourage them to gobble up the first.
If for any reason this doesn’t work you can follow the above mentioned step for cats.
When giving liquid – let your dog smell it first then open the cheek pouch and slowly squirt it in while they swallow. Remember to hold the mouth closed until you see a good swallow – about 3-5 seconds. If you are having trouble you can open the mouth described above or try mixing it with wet food or chicken broth.
Foods such as marshmallows, liverwurst, peanut butter and other house hold foods work great for giving medications

We can flavor medications at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic with our FlavoRx system to make them more palatable. We are able to mix both pills and liquid into a variety of flavored liquids your pets will love including: MANDARIN ORANGE, CHOPPED LIVER, GRILLED TUNA, CRISPY BACON & MOM’S BANANA BREAD just to name a few.

Please call us if you are unsure what to give your pet. We are here to help!

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IF YOUR PET SHOWS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS TAKE YOUR PET TO A VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY:

Excessive Bleeding
Possible Ingestion of a Poisonous Substance
Possible Ingestion of Chocolate
Any animal that is NOT drinking water or eating
Smoke inhalation or burns from fire
Rabbit, Guinea Pig, or other rodent that hasn’t eaten in 6 hours or more
Neurologic Symptoms: Walking in circles, Seizures, Laying on the floor shaking
Vomiting or Diarrhea for more than 3 hours or constant vomiting or Diarrhea
Straining to or not urinating or defecating at all
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Limping
Constipated
Abnormal Behavior
Abnormal Urination
Discharge from wound or incision
Colored discharge from Eyes or Nose
Bleeding from Rectum or other Orifice

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DENTAL CARE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Dental care is EXTREMELY important for both you and your pet. It helps to prevent the need for frequent cleanings as well as health problems such as gingivitis, tooth decay, loss of teeth, and Kidney Failure associated with Dental Disease. Bacteria in the mouth and on the teeth easily migrate into the blood stream and can negatively affect your pet’s kidneys, heart, and liver.

Periodontal disease is PREVENTABLE with routine cleanings and routine preventative measures performed at home. Here are some ways you can help PREVENT Dental Disease in your pet:

Our first recommendation is starting your pet on OXYFRESH – it is an easier – less time –consuming method of preventing Tartar buildup and bad breath – In addition to preventing new tartar from forming – OXYFRESH bonds to tartar and breaks it off the teeth. Simply lift up their lips and spray it on the teeth every night until Tartar is gone – Than you can decrease to 2 – 3 times a week; Like most products – OXYFRESH is most effective if used daily – but using it a couple of times a week is better than none at all.
You can also treat your dog or cat to Dental Chews – For dogs – we recommend CET HEXTRA CHEWS – They have enzymes that are in toothpaste built into the chew as well as an antibacterial agent – Chlorhexidine Gluconate – These help to scrape tartar and plaque off the teeth and rid the mouth of bacteria – If you purchase chews from a local pet store – please keep in mind that they must be “enzymatic” to be effective – WE also carry CET CHEWS for cats in both poultry and fish flavor.
And lastly – but possibly the most important aspect to Dental Care – We recommend you try brushing your pet’s teeth at least three times a week – You can buy toothpaste and toothbrushes at The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic or at a local pet store – We know it can be difficult to brush your pet’s teeth so here are a few ideas that may help you be more successful in performing this task:

Always put your pet someplace where they are NOT alone – such as a bathtub, table or counter
ALWAYS use a VERY soft bristled brush or finger brush – You can even start out by using your finger for the first few brushings to help your pet get used to the experience and the toothpaste
Do NOT use Human toothpaste – It contains Soap and Other ingredients that should NOT be swallowed – These ingredients could make your pet ill
Use pet toothpaste – We sell three flavors of the CET Toothpaste – or you may make your own toothpaste from equal parts of salt and baking soda – Simply place the “Toothpaste” on a wet toothbrush or soft cloth
Brush with a circular motion along the gum line and both the insides and outsides of their teeth
Be sure to feed your pet a special crunchy treat or dog food after brushing – Rewards for good behavior will help your pet understand that brushing is fun and should be done as often as possible
Try feeding dry crunchy food and treats – These will help to scrape plaque off the teeth
Every dog and cat are different and some are more prone to dental disease than others – Therefore periodic dental exams and regular cleanings are important to maintain your pet’s good health

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Tips for Feline Anxiety-Free Veterinary Visits

Preparing for your cat’s visit:

Take your cat’s carrier out and keep it in an area of your home where your cat spends the majority of his or her time. Do this at least 2 days prior to your schedule veterinary visit. This will allow your kitty to safely explore his or her kennel/carrier and become more comfortable and familiar with it before his appointment.
Purchase Feliway spray and spray inside of carrier and/or on bedding in carrier. Start spraying 2 days prior to your visit (recommend to spray carrier once or twice daily). Can also place smelly treats (seaweed flakes, catnip, etc) inside the carrier to coax your kitty to explore, and become comfortable with, the inside.
When getting ready for transport, keep your carrier covered (carrier covers can be purchased for this use, or you can use a light blanket, towel or sheet). This gives your cat a dark, quiet place. Also make sure that your kitty is safely secured in your vehicle. If you do NOT have a carrier, consider using a pillowcase or a cat sack to provide a dark, quiet transport.
Play relaxing, calm music during your drive. Classical, harp or nature sounds work best! This can help reduce unfamiliar and loud outside noises (cars, honking, etc.). Don’t play it too loud, or too soft. Too loud can be stressful, too soft won’t help drown outside noises.
If you have a very anxious or worried cat, consider purchasing a Thundershirt. Thundershirts are scientifically proven to reduce anxiety by providing your pet with a sense of security and safety, similar to swaddling an infant.
You may give us a call a day or two before your appointment and request to pick up anti-anxiety medication. For cats, our fear-free medication protocol consists of oral Gabapentin, as it is safe and usually effective. This can be given about 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. A “Happy Shot” (injectable sedation) can be given during your appointment, if the oral therapy is ineffective for your kitty.
Bring Fluffy in HUNGRY! Treats are a wonderful way for our veterinary team to develop bonds and trust, distract during procedures and praise your cat for a job well done! Feel free to bring in your kitty’s favorite snack, or we can use some of our own! *Please make sure to inform your veterinary team of any food allergies your pet may have ahead of time!*
Do not put your carrier on the ground/floor when you arrive to your visit. Cats enjoy being up high. Keep their carrier on a counter, bench seat, table, etc.
Once you get into your exam room, open your cat’s carrier and leave the door open. Allow your cat some time to come out on his/her own prior to attempting to take them from the carrier yourself. Allow your cat to roam and explore their settings/surroundings.

Remember that animals have amazing senses, many that are much more developed than our own, and our dogs and cats can feed off of our energy as well. Keeping calm and stress-free during visits yourself will help your dog and cat to feel more secure and relaxed. If you are stressed-your pet will be stressed.

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Tips for Canine Anxiety-Free Veterinary Visits

Preparing for your dog’s visit:

Bring Fido in HUNGRY! Treats are a wonderful way for our veterinary team to develop bonds and trust, distract during procedures and praise your dog or puppy for a job well done! Feel free to bring in your dog’s favorite snack, or we can use some of our own! *Please make sure to inform your veterinary team of any food allergies your pet may have ahead of time!*
Just as with your kitties, it is shown that playing calming music (such as classical, harp or nature sounds) helps your dog to relax and also drowns out background noise.
If you have a very anxious or worried dog, consider purchasing a Thundershirt. Thundershirts are scientifically proven to reduce anxiety by providing your pet with a sense of security and safety, similar to swaddling an infant.
Always keep your dog on a leash, and close to you, when coming to the veterinary office. This provides control and safety between you and your dog. Remember– your dog may be friendly, but other dogs may not be!
Consider looking into a car diffuser in a calming scent such as lavender. This can benefit both you and your dog!
Consider purchasing and using a DAP (Adaptil) collar. Adaptil collars are activated by your dog’s body heat and releases calming pheromones constantly. *Keep in mind that this method typically requires at least 2-5 days after the start of wearing the collar to achieve desired effects.
You may give us a call a day or two before your appointment and request to pick up anti-anxiety medication. For dogs, our fear-free medication protocol consists of oral Alprazolam, as it is safe and usually effective. This can be given about 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. A “Happy Shot” (injectable sedation) can be given during your appointment, if the oral therapy is ineffective for your dog.
If your dog has sound anxiety, consider looking into Mutt Muffs for sound reduction.
One of the best things you can do for your puppy or dog is to make them accustomed to walking on a leash and riding in a car.
- Practice putting the leash on and then taking it off, do this several times. If your dog wears a harness, allow them to wear the harness (supervised!) for a couple hours each day so it becomes familiar to them. You can practice leash walking them around your backyard until they become use to the leash.
- Daily walks are recommended not only for optimal health, but also for proper training and socialization! *ALWAYS make sure your puppy or dog is fully vaccinated and protected!*
- Ensure that their collar and/or harness are properly fitted and snug so that there is no risk of them slipping out of them and getting loose.
- Take your puppy or dog on car rides for many different reasons, not only to go to the veterinary office. Short car rides to the gas station, dog park, picking your kids up from school or other activities or even just quick rides around the neighborhood. This will help teach your dog that car rides can be fun and exciting and will reduce anxiety, stress and even motion sickness in the car.
- Make sure your dog is safely secured in your vehicle. This is not only safe for you, but also for your dog. Having a safe place for your dog to sit or lay in your vehicle will also offer them security.

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SPAY AND NEUTER PROCEDURES – CANINE

SAVE ON OUR SPAY AND NEUTER PACKAGES!

All surgery packages include Surgery Fee, IV Fluids, IV Catheter, Pre – Anesthetic Blood Profile,

and Post – Operative Pain Therapy. This is the best level of care recommended for your pet’s surgery.

Canine Neuter Package: Up To 70 lbs. $ 298.14

Canine Spay Package: Up To 70 lbs. $ 332.14

Canine Basic Spay: (Under 70 lbs) $ 180.00 – Includes pre-anesthetic exam, pain injection, pre- operative sedative, anesthesia, anesthetic monitoring, surgical drapes, pack, suture, Doctor’s surgical fee for OVH, hospitalization and recovery.

Canine Basic Neuter: (Under 70 lbs.) $ 145.00 – Includes pre-anesthetic exam, pain injection, pre-operative sedative, anesthesia, anesthetic monitoring, surgical drapes, pack, suture, and Doctor’s surgical fee for Neuter, hospitalization and recovery.

For every pound over 70 lbs, an additional $1.00 will be added to the current Spay or Neuter price.

Scrotal Ablation: $ 125.24 (in addition to neuter price) – Recommended on larger dogs to remove the scrotal skin after neuter. This helps prevent infections, or complications, after surgery.

Complicated Surgery Fee due to Heat, Pregnancy, or Obesity: $ 30.00 – Pets that are in heat or pregnant need special precautions taken as additional bleeding may occur and complicates the surgery. Pets that are obese also cause the surgery to be more complicated and take longer. This fee is in addition to the cost of the surgery listed above.

Deciduous Tooth Extraction: $ 58.02 – 132.12 max – All dogs should lose their puppy teeth by 5 ½ months of age. If your pet has not lost their puppy teeth by this age, they should be surgically removed to prevent damage or abnormal placement of the erupting adult teeth, and to prevent excess tartar and plaque buildup. This is usually performed at the same time as the Spay or Neuter.

IV Fluids and IV Catheter: $ 89.92 (Included with Packages) – Allows us to administer fluids intravenously during surgery, to help maintain hydration and blood pressure. It also allows us to administer emergency medications if your pet’s heart stops during anesthesia. IV fluids are recommended on all patients and are required on all pets that are 7 years of age and older.

Pre-Anesthetic Blood Profile: $ 141.42 (Included with Packages) – Allows our Doctors to evaluate the functions of your pet’s liver, kidneys, electrolyte levels, and blood counts to make sure that it is safe for your pet to undergo surgery and anesthesia for the procedure. A pre-anesthetic blood profile is recommended on all patients, and required on all pets that are 7 years of age and older.

Post – Operative Pain Medications: $ 25.00 (Included with Packages) – Pain medication(s) aid in pain relief and assist in decreasing any discomfort your pet may have post-operatively. They can also help to prevent your pet from chewing at their incision and help speed their recovery.

Post – Operative Sedatives: $ 24.00 – $ 50.00 – If your pet is very active after surgery, sedatives may be recommended to help keep them calm during recovery. This is very important after Spays or Neuters to prevent your pet from opening their incision.

E – Collar: $ 12.00 – $ 18.00 (based on size)– This is highly recommended to help prevent your pet from chewing at their incision.

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SPAY AND NEUTER PROCEDURES – FELINE

SAVE ON OUR SPAY AND NEUTER PACKAGES!

All package prices include Surgery Fee, IV Fluids, IV Catheter, and Pre – Anesthetic Blood Profile and Post – Operative Pain Therapy. This is the best level of care recommended for your pet’s surgery.

Feline Spay or Neuter Package: $ 231.14

Feline Basic Spay: $ 80.00 – Includes pre-anesthetic exam, pain injection, pre-operative sedative, anesthesia, anesthetic monitoring, surgical drapes, pack, suture, and Doctor’s surgical fee for Spay, hospitalization and recovery.

Feline Basic Neuter: $ 50.00 – Includes pre-anesthetic exam, pain injection, pre-operative sedative, anesthesia, anesthetic monitoring, surgical drapes, pack, and suture, Doctor’s surgical fee for Neuter, hospitalization and recovery.

Complicated Surgery Fee due to Heat, Pregnancy, or Obesity: $ 30.00 – Pets that are in heat or pregnant need special precautions taken as additional bleeding may occur and complicates the surgery. Pets that are obese also cause the surgery to be more complicated and take longer. This fee is in addition to the cost of the surgery listed above.

E – Collar: $ 12.00 – $ 15.00 (based on size)– This is highly recommended to help prevent your pet from chewing at their incision.

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