Cape Cod Pet Parent FAQs

To make your visit smooth and stress-free, we recommend bringing:

• A stool sample (if this appointment is an annual exam or new puppy/kitten appointment).
• A list of any medications or supplements your pet is currently taking. Please make sure to include strength and dosage.
• A leash or carrier to keep your pet safe.

If you have questions or concerns you’d like to discuss, we’re here to help!

To help us make the most of your time with the doctor, please ensure your pet’s previous medical records are sent to our office before your appointment. Records can be emailed to Clientservices@capecodvets.com or texted to 508-394-3566.

When sending records, please include your full name and your pet’s name so we can update your file correctly.

We follow national vaccine guidelines but tailor each pet’s schedule based on their lifestyle, exposure risk, and health status. Here’s a general timeline for healthy pets:

Dogs:

• Core Vaccines: Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus (DAPP), Rabies
• Optional Based on Lifestyle: Leptospirosis, Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme

Puppy Schedule:

• DAPP at 8, 12, and 16 weeks
• Rabies at 12–16 weeks
• Boosters at 1 year, then every 1–3 years

Adult Schedule: As recommended, based on exam findings and lifestyle.

Cats:

• Core Vaccines: FVRCP (feline distemper), Rabies
• Optional Based on Lifestyle: Feline Leukemia (FeLV) for outdoor or multi-cat households

Kitten Schedule:

• FVRCP at 8, 12, and 16 weeks
• Rabies at 12–16 weeks
• Boosters at 1 year, then every 1–3 years

Adult Schedule: As recommended, based on exam findings and lifestyle. We also consider indoor/outdoor status and exposure risk.

Timing can vary based on breed, age, and lifestyle, but here are our general guidelines:

• Cats: Spay/neuter around 5–6 months old
• Small to Medium Dogs: Spay/neuter between 6–9 months old
• Large or Giant Breed Dogs: May benefit from waiting until 12–18 months for orthopedic development

We always discuss the best individualized timeline during your wellness visits.

Knowing the difference can help you act quickly and appropriately:

Urgent Care Situations (treated during regular hours at Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod)

These conditions are concerning but not immediately life-threatening:

• Vomiting or diarrhea without blood
• Lameness or limping
• Skin infections or hot spots
• Ear infections
• Minor wounds or cuts
• Eye discharge or mild swelling
• Sudden changes in appetite or energy
• Broken nail or mild pain

We strive to accommodate same-day urgent cases during business hours.

Emergency Situations (seek 24/7 care immediately)

These signs may indicate a life-threatening issue requiring immediate attention:

• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Trauma (e.g., hit by car, severe wounds)
• Ingestion of toxic substances
• Profuse bleeding
• Inability to urinate
• Bloating or swollen abdomen (especially in large-breed dogs)
• Labor difficulties in pregnant pets

If you’re ever unsure, call us or proceed to an emergency facility immediately.

On the day of surgery:

• Drop-off is in the morning
• Your pet is examined and prepped
• We keep you updated throughout the day
• Most pets go home the same afternoon or evening—we do not keep pets overnight
• Our team provides detailed at-home care instructions and follows up with you post-procedure.

Even if your pet is on monthly heartworm prevention, annual testing is important. While preventatives are very effective, no method is 100% guaranteed—and doses can occasionally be missed or given late. Yearly testing helps us confirm that the prevention is working as it should and gives us the best chance to catch any infection early, when treatment is most effective. Regular testing is a simple step that helps protect your pet’s long-term health.

We recommend year-round protection for all dogs and cats. Prevention options include topical, oral, and injectable products tailored to your pet’s lifestyle and comfort.

For Dogs:

• Flea & Tick: Available in topical and oral forms; protects against fleas and ticks
• Heartworm: Available in topical and oral forms; often includes protection from intestinal parasites

For Cats:

• Flea & Tick: We offer topical solutions for monthly application
• Heartworm/Parasite: Available in topical, depending on risk level

We’ll help you choose a plan that fits your pet’s needs. We believe in providing a customized plan that fits your pet’s and your lifestyle.

Cape Cod’s natural beauty, its woods, dunes, marshes, and wildlife also make it a hotspot for fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes that carry harmful diseases. Year-round prevention is essential for both cats and dogs, even if they live indoors.

Ticks are common in wooded and grassy areas and can transmit serious diseases, such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, all found on the Cape.

Fleas can cause intense itching, skin infections, and allergic reactions. They also carry tapeworms and can quickly infest homes.

Mosquitoes spread heartworm disease, a potentially fatal condition for dogs. For cats, heartworm disease IS a fatal condition, as there is no cure. Heartworm disease affects the heart and lungs. Heartworm has been diagnosed in dogs and cats throughout Massachusetts.

Indoor pets are still at risk. Fleas can hitch a ride inside on clothing, and mosquitoes easily enter homes.

If your pet has an urgent issue when we’re closed:

● Call our main number – You’ll hear a recording with guidance.
● For emergencies, contact:

Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists (Dennis): 508-398-7575
Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists (Buzzards Bay): 508-759-5125
VCA Southshore, S. Weymouth: 781-337-6622
Veterinary Urgent Care Center, Plymouth: 774-608-7016

Always stand on the side of caution. When in doubt, seek emergency care.