Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my pet need a heartworm test yearly?

Annual testing is necessary, even when dogs are on heartworm prevention year-round, to ensure that the prevention program is working. Heartwormmedications are highly effective, but dogs can still become infected. If you miss just one dose of a monthly medication—or give it late—it can leave your dog unprotected.



Why does my pet need a physcial exam every year?

The idea behind an annual checkup is simple: in order to prevent more costly future problems, your dog or cat should visit your vet every year, even if he/she is healthy. This catches disease at its earliest treatable stage.



Why does my puppy / kitten need a series of vaccines?

Repeated vaccines (e.g., canine distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus and feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and calicivirus) are necessary to fully protect puppies and kittens, but many owners misunderstand the reason why. The vaccine series (i.e., the same vaccine given multiple times) doesn’t really “boost” immunity after every shot. In most cases, a single or at most two vaccines given three to four weeks apart is sufficient to produce “full” immunity, so long as the body is able to respond to the vaccine(s). This last point is at the heart of the reason why puppies and kittens need so many shots when they are young.



How often does a dog need their anal glands expressed?

Some dogs get their anal glands manually expressed a couple times a year. Some never do. Some pet parents bring their dogs in every month (or more often), if their dogs have been having recurring issues. The key thing is to monitor your dog for the symptoms. Symptoms may include scooting their rear end or constant licking. See if there's a pattern for your dog. Every dog is going to be different.



Does heartworm prevention and flea prevention need to be given year round?

The short answer: Yes. Believe it or not, many of these parasites are still active during the winter months, no matter how cold it may get. And year-round parasite preventives not only help safeguard your pet from disease, but they help protect your family’s health as well.



Do you offer grooming services?

At this time we do not offer regular grooming services. We can provide services such as bathing, nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression as a drop off appointment. Please call our office for details.



Where do I take my pet in case of emergency?

If our office is closed and your pet is experiencing a critical emergency please contact Augusta Animal Emergency at (706) 733-7458. ​ For patients stable for transport or for the speciality hospitals please contact the University of Georgia Veterinary Emergency Service at (706) 542-3221 or South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care at (803) 561-0015. ​



When do I switch my puppy / kitten to adult food?

The general rule of thumb is they are switched from puppy / kitten food around 12 months of age. This may depend on your pets body condition score or other factors. Please talk with one of our veterinarians during a well visit about the switching diets.



When do you need fecal samples, and why?

Fecal samples should be brought in at any well visit or in the case of your pet having diarrhea. We use these samples to look for intestinal parasites and any abnormal bacteria. It is important to remember that just becasue you are not seeing worms, it doesn't mean your pet doesn't have an infestation.



Do I need an appointment?

Appointments at St. Francis are preferred but not necessary. We try to accomodate our non scheduled visits as quickly as possible but be advised there may be longer than normal wait times. There is also a $15 non scheduled fee added on to these visits.