How should I prepare for my pet's annual appointment?
An annual exam is a standard procedure that we conduct but it is up to you to keep watch and make notes about your pet’s health and behavior. Our comprehensive full body examination of your pet will help ensure optimal health. Please come to us with anything that you notice or any questions that you may have.
My pet is undergoing surgery tomorrow- what should I do the night before?
If your pet is undergoing surgery you should withhold all food and water after midnight of the night before. Keep your animal in a controlled environment indoors until the office call. Please bring your dog on a leash and your cat in a carrier for their safety and the safety of others. Contact our office for additional specific questions you may have.
What is the process for having my pet spayed or neutered?
Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately three months of age for puppies and a minimum two pound weight for kittens. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine if they are healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. Also a pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery, especially for older and/or obese animals. We work with you and your pet to help manage any pain after surgery.
How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?
Procedures involving sutures require them to be removed about 14 days following the surgery.
How often does my pet need to have their teeth cleaned? Is there anything I should be doing at home?
We will examine your pet's teeth during their annual exam to determine the best schedule for your pet. Just like people, individual pets develop tartar and oral disease at different rates. Many large dogs can go for one to three years without a cleaning at your animal clinic. However, most smaller breeds need a professional cleaning every six to twelve months. However, by brushing your pet’s teeth at home, you can minimize how often your pet will need its teeth professionally cleaned.
Can my pet catch a cold or flu?
Although your pet can catch strep throat, he can't catch a cold or the flu from you. That does not mean your pet can’t have an upper respiratory infection or intestinal disruptions. Coughing, sneezing, vomiting and or diarrhea can all be debilitating for your pet and we recommending setting up an appointment with our animal clinic if your pet is suffering from these symptoms.
How often do you recommend performing blood work on my pets?
In addition to having an annual physical exam for your pet, we also recommend performing a yearly blood work test as your pet gets older. This yearly exam checks your pet's kidneys, liver, blood sugar and blood protein levels. It is very easy to administer these blood tests at the same time we administer vaccinations. For our senior pets we may recommend some additional blood tests.
Do you take payments?
Yes, via a service called Care Credit. You can apply for Care Credit from the comfort of your own home. Payment is required at the time of service and we accept Care Credit, cash, check, Visa, and MasterCard.
Do you allow urgent or same day appointments?
Yes! We gladly welcome walk-ins. In case of urgent care needs, our staff will work you in.
Does the doctor provide in home services?
Limited house call services are available, depending on the doctor's schedule. Please call to see if he can accomodate you.
Is Dr. Marrone accredited? What does this mean?
Yes. Accreditation is issued by the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA. A veterinarian must be accredited to issue Health Certificates for interstate and international travel and commerce. An accredited veterinarian can also respond to USDA emergency situations involving animals, both farm and pet.
Is Dr. Marrone board certified? What does this mean?
No. After completion of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, the veterinarian can then complete a 4 year internship and residency in an area of specialization at an accredited School of Veterinary Medicine. After the internship and residency, the candidate is then reviewed by a board of peers and sits for a specialty certification examination. Only after this further education and testing can a veterinarian be board certified. Dr. Marrone has pursued an interest in both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery through various continuing education seminars and surgery labs throughout his career. He is not board certified, but is certainly both licensed and qualified to practice all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery in the state of Washington.