When can I sterilise my pet?

All pets should be sterilized by the age of 6 months. The benefits far outweigh the risks. These include preventing cancer, preventing infections and preventing unwanted behavioural changes. The vets at St. Francis Vet will be happy to discuss what the exact procedure involves. Many people are worried about weight gain in their sterilized animals, this can be prevented with correct nutrition. We will assist you in this regard.

How often should I deworm my pet?

All cats and dogs should be dewormed every 3-4 months. We sell good quality, registered veterinary products for this purpose. You also have a few options to choose from – needed in our more difficult patients and cats. Did you know that we now have a spot-on dewormer available for cats? You apply a liquid on the skin between the shoulder blades – gone are the days when you lost an arm or a leg trying to get a tablet into your cat!

Should my dog have bones?

No! Many people are under the impression that bones are good for a dog’s teeth. In fact, the opposite is true. We see many dogs with broken teeth as a result of chewing bones. These broken teeth need to be treated exactly the same as a broken tooth in a human is treated – extraction of the tooth and in an animal’s case, under general anaesthetic! Some people might argue that wild carnivores eat bones. This is true, but as many as 50% of them have broken teeth too – this shortens their lifespan considerably!

When can I book my pet into theatre?

Our surgeries are performed Monday to Friday, each veterinarian has their own surgical day. Should you have a preference please ensure you book on their theatre day.  Non-complicated surgeries are able to go home after 3pm, once they are fully recovered from anaesthetic and able to stand and drink water alone. All veterinarians have a specific theatre day, please feel welcome to book with a specific vet. Our reception team will be happy to assist you with this.

Do you board animals at your clinic?

Our main focus is on sick patients and ensuring that they make a full recovery. We therefore only offer our boarding facility to pets on chronic medication who need assistance daily.  Should you be interested in boarding your pet, please call our practice manager to arrange this in advance and she will gladly provide you with the boarding policy documentation and dates available.

Should I brush my pets’ teeth?

YES! If it is possible. Poor pet dental hygiene can cause gum disease which makes dogs and cats prone to heart, liver or kidney disease. Should your pet already have plaque and tarter build up this will need to be removed under anaesthetic, but simple daily brushing can certainly prevent it from returning. If your pet does not tolerate brushing, there are dental chews and special diets available.

Why does my pet eat poop?

This may make you feel ill, but majority of the time, this is only a bad habit! Your pet certainly is not missing any essential nutrients. Pets tend to do this out of boredom. It is best to try and discourage this behaviour. There are products on the market that can assist you in correcting the behavioural problem.