COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WILL DVDH BE ABLE TO CARE FOR MY PET IN CASE OF EMERGENCY?
Yes. We will take emergency calls between 5 PM and 10 PM on weekdays. On Saturdays, our emergency hours are between 3 PM and 10 PM. Sundays, we take emergency calls between 8 AM and 10 PM. After 10 PM, calls will be rerouted to a San Antonio emergency clinic.
DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT BEFORE COMING IN TO SEE A DOCTOR?
Appointments are highly recommended in order to avoid a longer waiting period. Calling ahead allows us to devote the necessary time to our clients and, therefore, provide the highest quality of care possible.
¿HABLA ESPANOL?
Sí, hablamos Español. Tenemos múltiples especialistas de relaciones con clientes y técnicos que hablan español.
Vivo en Ciudad Acuña. ¿Voy a ser capaz de tener mis mascotas tratados en DVDH?
¡Sí! Gracias por confiar en el cuidado de sus mascotas. Para cruzar la frontera con sus mascotas todo lo que necesita es un certificado de vacunación contra la rabia. Además, por favor no se olvide de hacer una cita!
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST VISIT?
Please bring the following:
Prior medical records. Bring a printed copy of your complete medical records.
If your animal is on any medication, please be sure to know or have written down their medication and the dosage.
CAN I BRING MY CHILDREN OR FAMILY MEMBERS WITH ME?
Yes! We have an open door policy. You and your family are welcome to be with your pet during their appointment and diagnostic procedures. You are also invited to watch surgeries, if your pet needs one, and be with your pet while they are waking up from anesthesia and in the recovery area.
DO YOU TREAT PETS OTHER THAN CATS AND DOGS?
Unfortunately, we are not equipped at this time to treat pocket pets or large animals.
WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE I BRING MY PET IN FOR A DENTAL OR SURGICAL PROCEDURE?
Please not to feed or give your pet water after 10 PM the night before. We open at 7 AM and ask that you drop your pet off between 7 AM - 7:30 AM.
MY ANIMAL RECENTLY HAD THEIR VACCINATIONS AND IS NOW ACTING UNUSUAL. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
It is uncommon for an animal to have a reaction after their vaccinations. However, here are some possible reactions:
Eating grass
Lethargic
Fever
If this behavior persists for over 24 hours, please call us. The following reactions are extremely uncommon, but if they do occur please call us immediately.
Swollen from the site or the face
Extremely uncommon- anaphylactic shock
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY PET HAS FLEAS? HOW SHOULD I DEAL WITH A FLEA INFESTATION?
Fleas are very small wingless bugs. At first, they can look like flakes of dirt. While fleas cannot fly, they have an impressive jumping range of 3.9 feet. This means they can jump from your animal to your bed or car.
Symptoms that your animal is being tormented by fleas are:
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Scratching excessively
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Losing patches of hair
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Developing scabs
Unfortunately, the life cycle of a flea is 3 months, which means liberating your house from these pests is very difficult. Here are the recommended steps:
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Give your pet a bath.
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Get medication for your animal. Call us to talk about a medication to best fit your needs.
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Wash all bedding that your animal lays on.
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Vacuum everywhere. Your furniture included.
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Have a professional come spray your house to treat the environment for the eggs, larva, and pupa.
CAN TICKS BE DANGEROUS TO MY PET’S HEALTH?
Yes, they can pose a significant risk to your pet. They carry blood-borne bacteria, such as ehrlichia, anaplasma and Lyme disease. We do carry a monthly medication to prevent tick infestations.
WHY SHOULD I MICROCHIP MY ANIMAL?
Millions of pets are lost or stolen every year. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association confirmed pets that are microchipped have a higher rate of return to their families. Even indoor pets should be microchipped. There have been cases where a child accidentally lets them out, or some pets escape. Furthermore, a collar with tags can be accidentally removed by your pet or purposefully removed by another person. We are pleased to provide this service.
I FOUND AN ABANDONED BABY DEER. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
A mother deer will leave her young in a safe, isolated location for long periods of time while she eats. In most cases, the baby deer is not abandoned, but purposefully left until the mother returns. A recent study by a Texas Parks and Wildlife Rehabilitator found that 40% or more of the deer fawns referred were not orphans or injured, but “kidnapped” from their mothers. If you strongly believe that it has been abandoned, please call Texas Parks and Wildlife at (830) 278-4441 between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM Monday through Friday.