FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your hours?
Ansonia Westfield:
M/T/Th/F: 9am – 6pm
W: 9am-12pm; 2pm-5pm
Sat: 9am – 12pm
Sun: Closed
Ansonia Seymour:
M-F: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 12pm
Sun: Closed
What forms of payment do you accept?
We currently accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, CareCredit and cash payments.
Do we offer payment plans?
We offer payment plans through CareCredit – they offer veterinary and pet financing to help keep your most cherished family members in top shape.
What kind of pets do you treat
Our practice is here to treat canine and feline patients in the area.
Do I need an appointment?
In order to receive treatment, yes. We are currently not accepting any walk-ins at this time. Contact us to schedule your appointment.
How do I make an appointment?
Please call our hospital or contact us for more information.
Do you offer boarding, grooming, or daycare?
No, our current facilities do not offer boarding, grooming, or daycare services for pets.
What are the recommended vaccines for a dog?
Rabies and DHP are core vaccines that should be administered to all pets. Lepto is recommended for city-dwelling pets. Bordetella and influenza are recommended for dogs that are particularly social. Lyme is recommended for dogs that spend time out in nature, such as on hikes or in parks.
What vaccines are recommended for cats?
Rabies and FVRCP are core vaccines for all felines. FeLV is recommended for outdoor cats.
Why should I spay or neuter my dog or cat?
What age should I spay or neuter my cat?
We recommend spaying/neutering your cat at 6 months.
Should I give my dog or cat monthly heartworm preventative?
Yes, we definitely recommend administering heartworm preventative as mosquitos are common in NYC year-round. Intestinal parasites are also commonly found in the city, which can pose a threat to your pet.
Should I give my dog or cat a flea and tick preventative year round?
Yes, fleas are common in the city, especially in an apartment setting. Tick can be encountered when hiking or frequently visiting the park.
How can I order food, medications, and preventatives for my pet?
By calling/emailing our practice or visiting Vetsource.
Please note in-house Rx refills require 24-72 hours to fulfill.
Standard Dog/Cat Wellness
What is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and/or Urethral Obstruction
Urinary tract disease is common in male cats and can be potentially life-threatening. Signs of the disease can be apparent such as struggling to urinate with low or no stream, blood in urine, inappropriate urinations, vocal urinations, or can be vaguer such as vomiting, inappetence, hiding/behavioral changes. If you spot some of these symptoms, your pet should be evaluated immediately – if we are not open, we recommend going to the ER.
The disease can be a result of bacterial infection, crystals/stones, behavioral, or idiopathic cystitis. Crystals/Stones can often be prevented by adding water to their diet.
What is dietary indiscretion/foreign bodies?
To avoid dietary indiscretion, we recommend avoiding fatty foods, bones, and spicy foods. If your pet is prone to shredding or swallowing toys/foreign objects, this should be trained away to avoid further complications. Signs of ingested foreign bodies can be vomiting, retching, lethargy, painful/tense abdomen, small/no stools noted.
If these signs are spotted, they should be evaluated immediately and may require diagnostic imaging (radiographs, ultrasound, or both).
Depending on the type of foreign body and if caught early, it may be vomited up (do not attempt at home without consulting with a vet).
If that doesn’t work, endoscopy or surgery may be necessary.
How contagious are intestinal parasites?
Intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, are threats to pets and are even transmissible to humans. Many infected pets don’t show any signs of illness at all.
Fortunately, we can recommend tests to tell if your pet has parasites. We can also examine your pet for evidence of fleas, ticks, or other parasites. Our expert staff can recommend medications to help control fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites. Preventing parasites in your pets also helps protect children and other family members, so let’s work together to protect your pets and family.
Booties during walks (NYC is disgusting)
If you find yourself going on walks often with your pets, we recommend investing in booties to protect their paw pads. NYC can be insanitary in some instances, so booties are a perfect way to prevent injury or infection.
What to do the night before a visit to the vet?
Make sure your pet is well-rested. If you’re going in for an operation, please follow feeding instructions from your veterinarian to avoid complications. Please have ready all necessary travel materials such as collars, cages, and leashes.
What to do the morning of?
Get a head start before your appointment time. You never know when traffic might hit. Make sure your pet is comfortable if you’re driving or have the proper transporting equipment for your method of travel.
Behavioral / Fear Free
What does it mean to be Fear Free Certified?
We require our employees to become Fear Free® certified. The rigorous certification program ensures that the team learns how to handle fearful, anxious, or stressed-out pets in the kindest possible way. Together, we work to safeguard the emotional well-being of our patients, clients, and team members. Fear Free® certified professionals are a cut above the rest when it comes to caring for your best friend.
What does “Compassionate Restraint” entail?
What are some steps I can take to reduce my pet’s fear, anxiety, or stress when at the vet?
Your pet can sense your stress about his/her visit. We try to make the environment here feel as calm and relaxed as possible. You’ll find soothing music in the exam rooms, fuzzy blankets for cats, lots of treats, and gentle handling of your pet for exams. If you know ahead of time that your pet will be stressed, please call us to talk about it prior to the exam. There are medications available to administer to your pet at home prior to your visit to help him feel less nervous while he’s here.
We also recommend stopping by for “happy visits.” During these visits, you drop in with your pet to get some treats and pets, and then you’re on your way. Hopefully, these visits will help your pet know there’s nothing to fear at the vet’s office.
Should I do anything special the morning of my appointment?
What are some tips for transporting my pet to the cat in a low-stress manner?
Place your kittie’s carrier in a common space in your home at least three (3) days prior to your visit and begin leaving treats in or just in front of the carrier to promote healthy activity around the carrier. If you have a multi-cat household, bring some bedding that has all the cat’s scent on it, and leave this inside the carrier or your car during the visit. After the visit, you can rub your kittie with this bedding to reintegrate them with their communal scent, which will make returning to home a more relaxing event.
What should I do when I arrive at the vet?
What can I expect during my visit to Ansonia Veterinary Hospital?
When you arrive, you will be greeted by our Client Services Representative, who will check you in and alert your doctor of your arrival. An Exam Assistant will bring you into a room and take a thorough, detailed medical and behavioral history of your pet, followed by taking and recording your pet’s vitals. From here, our veterinarian will enter and perform a physical exam and discuss your reason for visiting. Prior to any diagnostics or treatments being performed, your exam assistant will go through an itemized treatment plan and cost estimate, and we will only perform treatments which you consent to. At the end of your visit you will be discharged by one of our assistant or technicians, any follow up appointments will be booked, and our CSR team will take payment and close out your invoice.
Common Condition
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and/or Urethral Obstruction
- Common in male cats – life-threatening
- Signs can be straining to urinate with low or now stream, blood in urine, inappropriate urinations, vocal urinations, and can be more vague such as vomiting, inappetence, hiding/behavioral changes
- Should be evaluated immediately – if we are not open go to ER
- Can be a result of bacterial infection, crystals/stones, behavioral, or idiopathic cystitis (we don’t know)
- Crystals/Stones can often be prevented by adding water to diet
Dietary Indiscretion (predominantly dogs but can be cats as well)
To avoid dietary indiscretion, we recommend avoiding fatty foods, bones, and spicy foods. If your pet is prone to shredding or swallowing toys/foreign objects, this should be trained away to avoid further complications. Signs of ingested foreign bodies can be vomiting, retching, lethargy, painful/tense abdomen, small/no stools noted.
If these signs are spotted, they should be evaluated immediately and may require diagnostic imaging (radiographs, ultrasound, or both).
Depending on the type of foreign body and if caught early, it may be vomited up (do not attempt at home without consulting with a vet).
If that doesn’t work, endoscopy or surgery may be necessary.
Grain-Free Diets in Dogs
Grain-Free Diets for dogs are not recommended as they can deprive them of nutrients needed for normal bodily functions. Grain consumption, as with any other type of food, should be monitored without overfeeding.