Frequently Asked Questions
Hononegah Animal Hospital FAQs
We’re here to help! There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. You can find answers to some of our more common questions below.
Hononegah Animal Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
At Hononegah Animal Hospital, we get a ton of interesting questions from pet parents. Below are some common FAQs that might help answer any questions or concerns.
General FAQs
What are your hours?
Tuesday: 8 am – 5 pm
Wednesday: 8 am – 5 pm
Thursday: 8 am – 5 pm
Friday: 8 am – 5 pm
What kind of pets do you treat?
Hononegah Animal Hospital treats dogs and cats. Click here to learn about our services.
What forms of payment do you accept?
At Hononegah Animal Hospital, we accept a variety of payment options, including cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
Is there pet insurance?
Yes, there are many companies that offer pet insurance for your dog or cat. As with people, there are different policies offering a variety of coverages. We do not process any insurance claims here at Hononegah Animal Hospital but would be happy to provide you with all the proper documentation to submit your claim for reimbursement.
Do I need to make an appointment?
Yes, our veterinarians see patients by appointment only. If you feel your pet needs veterinary care and you have not scheduled an appointment previously, please give us a call so we can assist you and your pet.
Do you offer boarding, grooming, or daycare?
Medicine is what we do best. We can offer suggestions for these services based on client and employee referrals.
Who should I contact for urgent care if Hononegah Animal Hospital is not open?
Animal Emergency Clinic of Rockford
7145 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL 61107
Phone: 815-229-7791
Website: aecrockford.com
Why does my pet need a physical exam?
Your pet may not show outward signs of illness, but hidden ailments have serious consequences if left untreated. The physical exam is the routine assessment of a patient by using our five senses and minimally invasive techniques. Together with the patient’s history, the physical exam helps us determine whether additional diagnostic tests are needed and, if so, which tests will be most useful.
What is a microchip, and why should I get one for my pet?
We are happy to report that we have reunited multiple lost pets with their families thanks to microchipping. 1 in 3 pets will go missing during their lifetime, and without proper ID, 90% never return home. A microchip for dogs and cats gives the best protection with a permanent ID that can never be removed or become impossible to read. Visit the Home Again website for more details.
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by parasitic worms living in the arteries of the lungs and occasionally in the right side of the heart of dogs, cats, and other species of mammals, including wolves, foxes, ferrets, sea lions, and (in rare instances) humans. Heartworms are classified as nematodes (roundworms) and are filarids, one of many species of roundworms. Dogs and cats of any age or breed are susceptible to infection.
Why does my dog need a heartworm test?
Annual testing is recommended for several important reasons:
- Many of us do not take our own medications as directed, let alone medicate our pets. We’re busy; we forget; we miss a dose here and there.
- Even if you never miss a dose, there is nothing to prevent your dog from eating some grass and vomiting up the medication you just gave them. Your pet would be without protection for an entire month.
- If your pet accidentally became infected with heartworms, your veterinarian needs to detect it as soon as possible before irreversible heart and lung damage occurs.
Early detection and treatment are always best. The tests are quick and accurate and make sure your pet is free from infection. Annual testing provides peace of mind in knowing that your pet is free of heartworms, and should your pet be infected, it assures you of early diagnosis.
Why can't I just give heartworm preventive medication?
Giving preventives to dogs that have adult heartworm infections can be harmful or even fatal to the pet. Adult heartworms produce millions of microscopic “baby” heartworms (called microfilaria) into the bloodstream. When you give a monthly heartworm preventive to a dog with circulating microfilaria, this can cause the sudden death of microfilaria, triggering a shock-type reaction. Even if your dog does not have this type of reaction, heartworm preventives do not kill the adult heartworms (although they may shorten the worms’ life expectancy). This means an infected dog will remain infected with adult heartworms.
FAQs about Fleas and Ticks
What are fleas?
Fleas are wingless external parasites known for their biting and blood-sucking abilities. Fleas look like copper or blackish pepper flakes, about 1/8 inch long—when you get to see them. Most fleas dash out of sight, heading toward cover. When you do see fleas, you know a dozen of their comrades are in hiding. Flea eggs are approximately 1/64th of an inch and fall off pets and to the floor, usually resting in cracks between boards, along moldings, or in leaf litter.
Even though adult fleas can be easily killed, its usually the flea eggs that are the major problem, because they are harder to find and have a hard exterior shell protecting them, Despite its name, the cat flea is the number one external parasite of both cats and dogs and over 95% of the flea population exists in carpet and grass. To properly control a flea infestation you should use a flea preventative and remove fleas in the surrounding environment by using a home flea treatment.
What are ticks?
Ticks are tiny insects (arthropods like spiders) that range in size from tiny specks to a swollen watermelon seed. Ticks have 8 legs and an outer surface called a carapace or shell, which can be soft or hard. Ticks start out tiny, rather like freckles, but female ticks suck enough blood to swell many times their initial size. Ticks go through several life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Most ticks feed then fall off the host animal and mature in the grass; they reattach after a dormant period. Ticks are dangerous because they spread fatal diseases from one pet to another and from pets and to people.
In North America tick density and range have increased over the last 20 years, and pets have had increasing encounters and increasing infections from tick-borne disease.
How do I get rid of fleas in my home?
Did you know the fleas you see on your pet only make up 5% of the total flea population in your home? Flea eggs and larvae hide deep in the fibers of your carpeting, furniture, and even your pet’s bed. Those you see are just a small fraction of the flea community making your home their home! These various stages of the flea life cycle are difficult to conquer. The sooner you take action, the safer your pet, home, and family will be.
Follow the steps below to prevent a flea infestation!
Cleaning your home is a very important step to eradicating a flea problem. Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping help get the eggs, larvae, and pupae out of your carpets, upholstery, tile, and wood floors.
- Throw away the bag each time you vacuum. Flea pupae will hatch inside the bag from the vibrations your vacuum causes.
- Sweep & mop tile or wood flooring. Since fleas love dark places, they can live in your baseboards as well.
- Wash your pet’s bedding – Fleas love to nest in the same place your pet does to keep feeding on him or her. Don’t just take the cover off of your pet’s bed, since fleas can be hiding in the stuffing as well.
- Wash your pet’s toys – Fleas and eggs will hide in your pet’s toys. If you can’t wash one of your pet’s toys, it is best to throw it out.
- Wash all of your and your pet’s belongings in hot water to kill fleas and flea eggs.
- Use carpet spray – Spray carpets and upholstery in the home. Fleas love dark places, so spray under furniture and in crevices.
What should I know about flea and tick control products?
We have much safer and more effective flea and tick control products than ever before. Beware of over-the-counter flea control products because many are ineffective and can actually be harmful to your pets, especially cats. We would be happy to recommend what products would be best for your pet.