From emergency support to tips on living a healthier, fuller life we have the resources to help. Click one of the links below for more information.
Updates on COVID-19
YAH is taking all necessary precautions to ensure we provide you with the safest environment possible when you step into our clinic. This area of our website will be updated routinely as we learn more about the status of the virus and we understand more from our public officials.
Our weekly blogs are a great way to catch up on information that we’ll be posting as we receive it. Our blog page can be found here.
We’ve uploaded a new video to our YouTube channel as well as our website here that shows you our cleaning procedures. You can click HERE to access that video.
Our announcement regarding modified clinic procedures can be found HERE.
Please note that our online appointment scheduling service is suspended during this time.
As updates are made available by the AVMA and our practice, they will be made available through our blog site as well as anything new will be posted here. Please also visit avma.org/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information.
You can also visit the CDD’s webpage on Animal health: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html
Emergencies
For emergency situations during our off-hours, we suggest contacting:
4640 Paragon Park Road
Raleigh, NC 27616
(919) 861-0109
Social Media
YAH is all over social media and active in our community. From weekly blogs to Facebook postings to Twitter, we’ve got ya covered. Visit our Social Media page by clicking here and stay current with what’s happening!
Helpful Videos
We will be updating our YouTube page with some helpful videos (starring our very own Dr. JB and staff!) below that show you how to do some basic daily wellness for your furry friends. We appreciate your patience as we upload these, but please check back as they are added. Some of the videos that are soon to come include:
Teeth Cleaning
Ear Cleaning
Feline Nail Trimming
Pre-Surgical Bloodwork
Annual Wellness Bloodwork
Laser Therapy
Pet Insurance
We are pleased to accept all forms of pet insurance. Below are a few that we partner with:
Pet Portal
Need information on your pet right now? Want to know when your next appointment is? We have the solution – our PetPortal! Here you can see your pet’s records, view upcoming appointments and much more – all at your fingertips! Just as with the online pharmacy, this information is just one click away, available on our homepage. Click on the link below to be taken to the homepage:
For our first time users, you can register for our PetPortal by clicking here. Just follow the instructions to set things up.
If you’re already registered but need your password, you can click here to be taken to the password page. (This is also available from the client login page).
Common Q & A
Everyone has questions, so let us help you with some common ones that might save you some time. You can also give us a call, or fill out the online form here to ask us a question.
How often does my pet need a Rabies vaccination? The first Rabies vaccine your pet receives is good for 1 year. Subsequent canine Rabies vaccinations immunize your pet for 1 – 3 years depending upon the vaccine your pet receives. Dogs and cats are required by North Carolina State Law to be vaccinated against Rabies. For cats, we use feline-exclusive Rabies vaccines which are good for 1 year.
What is heartworm protection and how many months should my pet be on heartworm prevention medication? Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and, if left untreated, can be fatal. Heartworm prevention is administered once a month either by pill or by topical application. Depending on the specific product you and your veterinarian choose for your pet, heartworm prevention medication can prevent other parasite infestations including internal parasites (worms) and external parasites (fleas and ticks). In accordance with the guidelines of the American Heartworm Society, we recommend all dogs and cats be given year round (12 months) heartworm prevention regardless of lifestyle.
Why does my dog need a blood test before purchasing heartworm prevention? Your dog will need to be tested with a simple blood test for heartworm disease on an annual basis. Dogs could get sick (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or death) if placed on heartworm prevention when they have heartworm disease. Even if they have been on heartworm prevention year round there is always the possibility that the product may have failed for various reasons (your pet spit out the pill, did not absorb the pill appropriately, topical medicine was not applied properly, forgot to administer medication on time, etc.) and the earlier we can treat your pet for heartworm disease the better the prognosis. Some companies will guarantee their product providing you use the heartworm prevention year round and are performing yearly heartworm tests. When starting heartworm prevention it is important that your veterinarian performs an initial heartworm test.
My pet never goes outside so does it really need heartworm prevention? Yes. Heartworm disease is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito and all mosquitoes can get into houses.
Doesn’t the fecal sample test for heartworms? No. Heartworm disease is a blood-borne disease that is transmitted through mosquitoes. A simple blood test will confirm whether or not your dog has heartworm disease. A fecal sample allows us to diagnose or rule out intestinal parasites (worms).
How can I prevent fleas? It is important to prevent fleas. We recommend all dogs and cats be given a monthly flea preventive regardless of lifestyle year round. Not only are they uncomfortable for your pet, fleas are also carriers of disease, such as tapeworms. There are many medications for the treatment and prevention of fleas. Some medications are in a combined form with the monthly heartworm medication. Not only is this convenient, but it reduces the cost of two medications!
Why do we need to run bloodwork? As a veterinary practice, we sometimes ask you, the pet owner, to run certain diagnostic tests on your pet’s blood. You may already be familiar with some of these tests from listening to your own personal doctor or from watching shows such as Animal Planet’s Emergency Vets. Blood tests help us to determine causes of illness, diagnose underlying conditions, and monitor response to medications and progression of certain diseases. Blood tests, in addition to the complete physical exam, help us to assess fully your pet’s health prior to anesthesia and also give us a baseline from which to interpret future changes. We offer a pamphlet for bloodwork to download for more information.
How do I know if medications are potentially harming my pet longterm? Your pet deserves the best care. Because of this, we carefully monitor your pet’s health after prescribing medication to ensure greater success in treating his or her condition. Monitoring helps us choose the proper drug and dosage for your pet’s age, size, breed, and physical condition, and it helps ensure your pet’s safety as we evaluate for any side effects, complications, or interactions with other drugs. Monitoring also helps us establish a baseline picture of your pet’s vital organs so we know when changes indicate areas of concern. This helps us assess the treatment plan and make adjustments as necessary. Here are some facts about commonly prescribed long‐term pet medications (click to download the pamphlet).
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be an effective therapeutic alternative to standard medications to treat some common ailments when applied properly and in the correct dosage. Our staff is here to answer your questions and offer advice on when is the right time to give them a try. From using lavender to calming your pet’s jitters to topical applications for skin problems, there might be a safe and effective blend for you to try. You can reach our essential oils page by clicking here, or give us a call (or email) to talk it over with one of our staff members.
Adoption
Have you been looking around or thinking about becoming a pet owner? Owning a pet is a privilege, but the benefits of pet ownership come with responsibilities. Here’s a few things to think about before you make that commitment.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner:
- Commit
- Avoid impulsive decisions when selecting a pet.
- Select a pet that’s suited to your home and lifestyle.
- Keep only the type and number of pets for which you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.
- Commit to the relationship for the life of your pet(s).
- Provide appropriate exercise and mental stimulation.
- Properly socialize and train your pet.
- Invest
- Recognize that pet ownership requires an investment of time and money.
- Make sure your pet receives preventive health care (vaccinations, parasite control, etc.), as well as care for any illnesses or injuries.
- Budget for potential emergencies.
- Obey
- Clean up after your pet.
- Obey all local ordinances, including licensing, leash requirements and noise control.
- Don’t allow your pet to stray or become feral.
- Identify
- Make sure your pet is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and keep its registration up-to-date.
- Limit
- Don’t contribute to our nation’s pet overpopulation problem: limit your pet’s reproduction through spay/neuter, containment or managed breeding.
- Prepare
- Prepare for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.
- Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your pet.
- Recognize any decline in your pet’s quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian
We partner with some great rescue organizations around the area that we are proud to support (And there are many more in the Wake, Franklin & Granville County areas that we are happy to work with). Chances are, they may have the right animal for you. As a way of showing that support, we offer your initial wellness check for free (some restrictions may apply) when you visit us within 30 days of the adoption and show proof with your adoption papers.
Articles and Links
Over time, we will be adding links to some interesting tidbits, tips and information to keep you informed and up to speed on all the latest and greatest things in the world of veterinary medicine! Check back in regularly as we update this section!
1. American Association of Feline Practioners
2. American Heartworm Society
3. American Veterinary Medical Association
4. North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association
5. Heartworm incidence
https://www.heartwormsociety.
6. Getting your pet to take medication can be a PAIN in itself! Of course, we’re here to help. Click on this link to find some helpful hints on how to get your furry friend to take that not-so-tasty pill!
7. Dental health basics. Go to the .pdf by clicking Basics
8. Plan to travel with your pet, especially abroad? Check out the USDA’s information page on how to do so safely and efficiently.