Please Note: We will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th in observance of Thanksgiving!

FAQs

Staunton River Vet Clinic FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.

Staunton River Vet Clinic - faqs

Logistical Questions:

Where are you located?
1037 Lipscomb Rd.
Moneta, VA 24121
We are located off of Rte 24 across from Staunton River Middle and High School. 
What are your hours?

Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

What types of pets do you see?

We provide care for dogs, cats, and pet pot belly pigs. We can see pets in our hospital or at your home.

What should I do if my pet is experiencing an emergency?

During our regular business hours, please call us at 540-297-1000 so we can be prepared when you arrive.

After hours, please contact Emergency Veterinary Services at 540-563-8575 (https://emergencyvetservices.net/).

What are the basic fees for your services?

A basic wellness or sick exam in $65.00. This includes a head to tail examination and consultation with either Dr. Carrie or Dr. Jessica. A more comprehensive sick/non-routine exam is $80. If you would like us to come to your home there is an additional $80.50 fee for travel. House calls are available to clients and patients within 30-miles of our practice.

How can I book an appointment?
Call our office during our regular business hours at (540) 297-1000 (This is the best option for house calls).

Use our online appointment system by clicking the link below:
Book Appointment

Veterinary Questions

Do you see other types of animals other than dogs, cats and pet pigs, like birds or reptiles?

We do not. We recommend contacting Dr. Paul Stewart of Avian and Exotic Pet Clinic in Roanoke. His clinic can be reached at 540-989-4464.

Why should my dog or cat be on heartworm prevention?

Heartworms are parasites that are spread by mosquito bites. Over a 6 month period, these parasites travel from the site of entry to the blood vessels between the heart and lungs. As these parasites grow, they cause damage to the heart and eventually heart failure.

In cats, heartworms are not treatable and the most common symptom is sudden death.

For dogs, there is a treatment. However, the treatment is painful and your dog will have to be cage-rested for 6 months to help prevent deadly blood clots. We also can’t reverse the damage done to the heart. The treatment costs more than purchasing 7 years of prevention.

heartworm disease information

Why does my pet need an annual exam to stay on his/her medications?
Just like people, your pet’s health should be evaluated once a year. This becomes even more important when they are on a medication for a medical condition. We want to make sure the medications are working well and not causing any other issues. Some medications require monitoring blood pressure or internal organ function through blood tests.
I only given flea and tick medication from May until October, is that ok?

We recommend flea and tick medication be used 12 months of the year. In this area of the country, we have at least one warm day every month. For the ticks that carry Lyme disease (the black-legged tick) it just has to be over 37 F to be out searching for an animal to bite. As for fleas, it has to be a bit warmer, but when it hits about 50 F those fleas are out biting. And once they are on your pet and come into your home, your home is typically a comfortable 70 F. That is perfect weather for a flea colony to make its home.

Do senior/geriatric pets need vaccines?
Yes! In fact, it is even more important in older dogs because their immune system can no longer fight disease as well. We of course evaluate every dog, cat and pig’s health status before administering any vaccination, no matter what their age.
Do Pot Belly Pigs need vaccines and medical care?
Of course they do! Pot belly pigs need protection against diseases just like dogs and cats. It is also important to keep their hooves trimmed and their tusks trimmed as well. It is also important to have a poop sample tested for parasites every year to make sure they don’t have a parasite they can pass on to you. We care about pot belly pig healthy so much that we have even created a pig wellness plan to help you keep then in the best health possible.

Fun FAQs

Why don’t you guys see birds?
Although we are asked frequently to see pet birds, Dr. Carrie is terrified of them. She loves seeing them out in the wild, but up close and personal is a no go!
How does your team get through some of your difficult days?

We love to read, and many times reread, some of the positive and thankful notes that our clients send to us. These help us remember why we are in this business. A good dose of laughter helps as well.

Does it bother you when we bring our human children along? We feel like they are distracting to you!

Not at all! Dr. Carrie and Dr. Jessica both have children and aren’t bothered or distracted at all. In fact we love seeing them being involved in their pet’s care.

What should I do if my pet has an accident in your lobby?
Just let our receptionist know and we will clean it up for you. And don’t be embarrassed, it happens all the time!