Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, depending on his schedule, Dr. Reed is able to make house calls for sick pets. We carry all the necessary equipment to perform tests on your sick pet in your own home. Call us to discuss your pet’s condition, and we will determine if a house call visit would be appropriate. We may also do check-ups on healthy pets and vaccinations in your home depending on the circumstances.

At-home visits do cost a bit more than going to the vet’s office. You will be paying for the travel time and costs involved with that, but the charges for the exam, labs, and medications will be similar to a traditional in office visit.

If your pet is sick outside of regular business hours, give us a call. Our voice mail will explain what to do.

Yes, we can help if you plan on traveling with your pet. Taking your pets on vacation can make it more enjoyable and less stressful because you don’t have to worry about leaving them behind.  Dr. Johnson is an accredited veterinarian with the USDA and can help prepare and sign documents for domestic or international travel. Contact us in advance to find out what steps are necessary to travel with your pet.

The day you are faced with saying goodbye to your pet is not easy for anyone. For some, doing so in the privacy and comfort of home is easier than going into the vet’s office. Dr. Reed can accommodate your request during business hours. We can help with the arrangements for cremation as well. Please call to speak with a receptionist to help plan a home visit.

Many dog owners think it’s normal for their pets to have bad breath. However, this is not true. Bad breath in dogs is caused by bacteria in the mouth associated with plaque and tartar build up. Chronic infection leads to gum inflammation, gum recession, bone infection and loose teeth.  Regular dental cleanings can solve this problem and prevent more serious dental conditions from developing. Regular dental cleanings in pets can increase their quality and length of life while reducing the need for more expensive and advanced treatments in the future. Dental disease is the most common disease among dogs. More than 85% of dogs and cats over the age of three have periodontal disease.

We will perform a thorough dental exam and cleaning while your pet is under general anesthesia. The exam includes charting teeth, probing for gum recession, and full mouth diagnostic dental x-rays followed by cleaning, polishing and fluoride application. While your pet is under anesthesia, they will be constantly monitored with advanced monitoring equipment to ensure they remain safe and stable.  Blood tests will also be performed prior to the anesthesia to better assess safety for the procedure.

Yes, you should see a vet if your pet’s behavior changes. Since pets cannot tell us how they feel or if they are in pain, a veterinarian can assess their health and behaviors and help with treatment.

If you observe any fleas or ticks on your pet, you should isolate them from other animals and small children. There are many prescription and over the counter products to address fleas and ticks. Please start these right away and schedule an appointment if ticks are present and you need assistance with removal.

We recommend waiting until your pet is at least six months old before having them spayed or neutered. There are many breed specific guidelines about timing of surgery, so please contact us to discuss the specific plan that would work best for your pet.

Heartworm disease is on the rise across the United States including California and is a serious and potentially fatal condition. Heartworms can reach up to twelve inches long and can live in a dog’s heart, lungs, or blood vessels. In cats, the worms predominantly live in their lungs. One infected mosquito is all it takes to infect a dog or a cat. The good news is that heartworm disease is preventable. We carry a variety of heartworm preventatives and we recommend year-round prevention and annual heartworm testing.