FAQs
Kindness Animal Hospital is located at 2130 University Blvd. W. in Wheaton, Maryland.
How do I make an appointment?
To make an appointment please call us at (301) 949-2511 to set up a time that is convenient with your schedule. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, we ask that you contact our office as soon as possible.
What forms of payment do you accept?
For your convenience, we accept cash, check, debit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and CareCredit. Please note that payment is due at the time services are performed.
How do I know if my pet is in pain?
Some signs, such as limping are a clear indicator of pain, but some signs are more subtle. Look for symptoms such as excessive vocalization, lack of appetite, a change in behavior or normal habits, and lethargy. Call us as soon as possible if your pet is showing signs of illness, injury, or pain.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a vital part of your pet’s health. Vaccines keep your pet healthy and prevent serious diseases. During your pet’s wellness exam, our veterinarians will develop a vaccine schedule tailored to your pet that will prevent illness and disease.
What is kennel cough?
Kennel cough, also known as Infectious Tracheobronchitis, and is easily transmitted through the air. It is caused by viruses and/or bacteria that affect the respiratory system of dogs. The best way to reduce the severity of the disease is with frequent vaccination. There are several types of vaccinations available to treat kennel cough.
When does my pet need blood work?
We recommend annual blood work to detect infections and diseases, helping us to prevent disease early on. In many situations, early detection is essential for more effective treatment. The type of blood work will be determined specifically for each pet depending on his or her individual needs. This annual blood test is convenient to do at the time of your pet’s annual heartworm test, but it can be done at any time of year.
How do I get my pet’s prescription medications?
Our in-house pharmacy has a large selection of prescription medications and therapeutic diets for your family pet. Our staff members can help you select the best medication, choose the proper dosage, and provide information on side effects or interactions. Contact us immediately if your pet experiences an adverse reaction, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding a prescription medication.
How many months should my pet be on heartworm prevention medication?
Heartworm disease is a serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can be fatal if left untreated. Our veterinarians recommend that all dogs be given year round heartworm prevention, regardless of their lifestyle.
Why does my dog need a blood test before purchasing heartworm prevention?
Dogs can get sick (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or death) if placed on heartworm prevention when they have a severe 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 that you use the heartworm prevention year round and are performing yearly heartworm test.
When starting heartworm prevention, or if your dog has not been on heartworm prevention year round, it is important that you perform an initial heartworm test and an additional heartworm test 6-7 months after starting the prevention to fully rule out the prior infection. During the early stages of development, some larvae are not detectable by the test. It may take a full 6-7 months before they can be detected, which is why we need to repeat the testing later after starting preventative measures.
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.
Why does my pet need a dental cleaning and how often should this be done?
Annual professional dental exams, tooth scaling, and polishing are necessary to treat and maintain healthy teeth and gums for your pet. As your pet ages their health needs will also change, and advanced dental care may be required. This is why it’s important that your pet receives a dental exam by our veterinarians on a regular basis.
Do I need to brush my pet’s teeth at home?
Yes. Proper at-home dental care is strongly recommended to help maintain the health of your pet. Home dental care for your pet should start early, even before their adult teeth come in. Pet owners should brush their dog’s and cat’s teeth frequently as tooth brushing is the best method of preventing plaque, calculus, and bacterial build-up. There are also additional options for at-home dental care such as dental formulated foods, water additives, and dental treat.