Haslett Animal Hospital

Click on your question below to discover the answer. Still not seeing your question? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Do you do grooming on weekends?

We offer grooming services Mondays through Fridays by appointment only. Drop off for grooming is between 7 and 9 am. Clients may want to schedule in advance due to the busy schedule of the groomer. Pets must also be up to date on vaccinations to be groomed.

When should I start my pet on flea/tick preventative?

Your pet can start preventative at 6-8 weeks of age and 5 pounds depending on the type of preventative you choose to use. We recommend your pet be on preventative year round.

What kinds of preventative do you carry there?

We carry a few different types of flea and heartworm preventative, they include the following:

Frontline – topical flea and tick preventative
NexGuard – oral flea and tick preventative
Capstar – Oral medication that kills adult fleas only
Revolution for cats – topical heartworm, intestinal parasite, flea and tick preventative
Revolt for dogs – topical heartworm, intestinal parasite, flea and tick preventative
Heartguard – oral heartworm and intestinal parasite preventative

If you have any questions about the above products please feel free to call us!

Why do I need to get a heartworm test every year if my pet is on preventative?

An annual heartworm test is required to purchase more heartworm preventative in order to ensure your pet doesn’t have heartworms. We require this even if your pet has been on preventative all year round to “double check” and ensure there are no heartworms. If heartworm preventative were to be given to a dog that has heartworms the medication could be very harmful and even fatal to your dog.

We base our recommendations on what The American Heartworm Society recommends. As stated on their web page: “nothing is perfect; people miss medications or fail to give it the same day every month. Pets vomit frequently and may ‘lose’ their dose of preventative.” We want to ensure your pet is as healthy as possible and make sure that nothing is missed that could potentially harm your pet.

Why do I have to have an exam to vaccinate my pet?

We require an exam be done when your pet receives a vaccine for a few reasons. The first and most important is to make sure your pet is in good health to receive the vaccine. During the exam our doctors will take your pets temperature which will tell us if your pet has a fever that could be suggestive of an underlying issue. The exam also gives us the chance to make sure there are no other health issues and we get a chance to talk with owners about any concerns or questions you may have regarding your pet.

When can my pet get fixed?

We generally recommend that your pet is spayed or neutered at 6 months old. At this time your pet’s vaccines boosters should be complete. This time frame may vary depending on the pet’s medical history, so you should discuss this with your veterinarian.

What over the counter human medications are safe for dogs?

Although certain over the counter medications can be given to your pet it is important to discuss with your veterinarian which ones are safe to use and at what dose. Before giving any over the counter medications please call us with questions.

What is your boarding facility like?

Our dog runs are about 3x5 feet large. Cats are boarded in a cat ward separate from dogs to keep the noise level down. Dogs are individually leash walked three times a day in a fenced in yard. Boarding dogs are not allowed to play with other dogs that are not from the same family due to risk of fighting and injuries. Two to three dogs can be boarded in one run upon request depending on the size of the dog.

Cat runs are approximately 2 ft. 6 in x 2 ft. 4 in. Cats are boarded in a 9 run cat ward separate from the dogs to keep the noise level down. Cats are fed Science Diet Maintenance sensitive stomach dry food unless the owner brings in their pets specific diet. Cats have their litter pans cleaned three times daily and are allowed to individually walk around the cat ward most days and depending on the cats temperament. Cats are not allowed to play with other cats that are not from the same family due to risks of fighting and injuries. Two cats can be boarded in one run upon request.

General boarding tips: We have tons of plush blankets and food/water bowls for yours pets so bringing those along are not necessary.

How do you stop a dog from eating feces?

There are different options that should be discussed with your veterinarian regarding eating feces. It should be noted that a dog that is eating feces and on a good balanced diet is not eating feces because he or she is missing something in their diet. They are eating feces because it is acceptable to them.

The best way to stop a dog from eating feces is to pick up the feces before they can eat it. Also, remind the dog that while they are eating feces that it is not acceptable.

What are your open hours?

Monday 7AM-6PM
Tuesday 7AM-8PM
Wednesday 7AM-6PM
Thursday 7AM-8PM
Friday 7AM-6PM
Saturday 7AM-12PM

Is there someone at the clinic at all times?

The Haslett Animal Hospital team has team members on staff at all times, but Williamston does not.

Staff arrives at the clinic early (6:15 am) to walk boarding and hospitalized animals. However, the clinic doesn’t open officially until 7AM. During all of our hours there are multiple staff members here.

Once the clinic closes for the night, trained staff called interns meet with the on-call veterinarians and technicians and review the cases of any hospitalized or surgical cases in the hospital. Those trained interns then care for and perform the necessary treatments on those patients until approximately midnight, at which point the interns return to their living quarters above the clinic. The interns are in close contact with the on-call veterinarian throughout the evening hours, relaying the status of the hospitalized patients to that doctor.

When the clinic closes Saturday at noon, the interns again take over caring for any hospitalized patients for the weekend. The interns meet with the on-call doctor at least daily to examine patients and review and update the treatment plans.

Why should I but heartworm or flea preventative from the vet compared to getting it cheaper from an online pharmacy?

The companies that manufacture the preventative medicines only sell to licensed veterinarians. It is unknown where exactly on-line pharmacies receive their product and as such cannot be guaranteed to have been cared for properly possibly resulting in improper prevention and even harm to your pet. Also, all of the preventatives sold through veterinary clinics have a guarantee offered by the manufacturer that is only offered if it is purchased through your veterinarian.

What is the best food for my pet?

Haslett Animal Hospital offer a wide variety of name brand dog/cat foods including Royal Canine and Hills Science Diet. Similar to a human diet, your pet’s “best” food choice is dependent on their life style. Haslett Animal Hospital can match your pet with several dry or wet foods to help ensure your furry friend gets exceptional nutrition. We even offer selections that are hypoallergenic or ones that can be used for weight management.

What is the best flea preventative for my pet?

All of the flea preventatives we sell are Haslett Animal Hospital are safe and effective. They are all recommended by our Haslett Animal Hospital vets. Picking the right flea preventative that is best for you and your pets depends on the lifestyle and environment you live in. For example, do you live in the country vs the city? Do you prefer a topical or oral medication? All of our staff would be more than happy to help you pick out a preventative that is right for you and your pet.

Does my pet really need this vaccine?

There is a list of core vaccines for both cats and dogs that is made according to the environment we live in and the viruses/diseases that our pets are susceptible for here in Michigan. In most cases, the risks of not giving these core vaccines are much greater than the risks of giving the vaccines.

What do I do if my dog is eating too fast?

If your dog is eating too fast there are a couple different options you could try. First, attempt to feed smaller and more frequent meals. For example, rather than just feeding 2 cups once a day try to feed 1 cup twice daily. You may also consider an automatic feeder to help with smaller and more frequent portions. Another option would be to put a tennis ball in their food bowl, this causes your dog to have to push the ball around with their nose to get to the food, causing slower eating. There are dog bowls called “slow bowl dog feeders” made specifically for this issue that can be purchased from your local pet store.

What do I do if my dog has diarrhea and I don’t want to come into the clinic?

Diarrhea could be caused by many different things so it is always recommended to see your vet when your pet is experiencing diarrhea. A few examples include intestinal parasites, stress, bacterial overgrowth, and different diseases. If you choose not to take your pet to Haslett Animal Hospital or Williamston Animal Clinic, we recommended to try feeding a bland diet such as I/D food that can be purchased here at Haslett Animal Hospital or Williamston Animal Clinic or home-made white rice and boiled chicken for two days and slowly ease your pet back on to their regular diet as stool becomes normal again. If your dog is still experiencing diarrhea after using the bland diet you should make an appointment with us. Regardless of whether we see your pet initially of not we would recommend bringing in a stool sample for an intestinal parasite screen.

Why is the Bordetella vaccine every 6 months?

Bordetella vaccine protects against the kennel cough virus. When that vaccine was given annually we were starting to see more cases of kennel cough. To give your pet the best protection possible and decrease the chances of your dog getting kennel cough, the protocol has been changed to vaccinating every 6 months.

Is pre-surgical blood work really needed?

Pre-surgical blood work gives the doctor information of what is going on internally with your pet that can’t be obtained from a physical exam. The blood work provides information on things such as electrolytes, enzymes and hydration levels. All of these levels aid the doctor in deciding what anesthesia is best for your pet.

Why do I need to have an intestinal parasite screen?

Intestinal parasites can be screened for through examining a fecal sample under the microscope. It is very important to check for intestinal parasites annually because they can be obtained many different ways through the environment. Two ways parasites are commonly obtained are from contact with infected animal’s feces, or by ingesting a flea. Just because your pet doesn’t have fleas doesn’t mean that they won’t come into contact with fleas from wild life outside. Intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, weight loss and even vomiting.

Often, it is recommended that a second fecal sample is presented after deworming to double check and make sure all the parasites are gone. If the infestation of parasites is severe enough, the parasites may not all be taken care of within the first deworming. Keep in mind that many intestinal parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can be transferred to humans. A yearly screening helps ensure proper health for everyone.

What is included in grooming?

Fred, our groomer here At Haslett Animal Hospital, takes his time with every pet that comes in for a haircut. First he starts by cutting your pets hair in whatever way you ask for as well as a toe nail trim, external ear cleaning and external anal gland expression. Next, the pet gets a bath and a blowout followed by a few more touch ups to the hair cut.

Do you see exotic and pocket pets?

Haslett Animal Hospital no longer accepts exotic or pocket pets. Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic is an alternative.

FAQsHaslett Animal Hospital

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