FAQs

• How safe is my pet’s procedure?

  At Walton Way Veterinary Clinic, our experienced veterinarians always use the safest and most cutting edge products and veterinary techniques to care for your furry family member. As in human medicine, most procedures are extremely safe when the patient is younger and otherwise healthy. However, more difficult surgeries and age and condition can make a surgical event carry additional risks. Our veterinarians recommend running bloodwork prior to all surgical procedures, to help ensure they are as healthy on the inside as out. Regardless of the level of difficulty of a procedure for your precious pet, our experienced veterinarians will treat them with the same care they would for their own furry family members!

• How often should my pet have an exam and bloodwork?

  Did you know that often each year for the life of an animal is approximately 7 years for humans? Imagine a 7 year-old dog that doesn’t go to the vet for 3 years. This would be the same as a 49 year-old person not going to the doctor for 21 years! At Walton Way Veterinary Clinic, we recommend yearly physical exams and blood work as necessary. Taking proper care of your pet during their younger years can mean fewer medications as they age, and may extend the life of your pet. Call one of our veterinary professionals at 706-733-2288 to set up your pet’s yearly appointment today!

• Why does my pet need a dental procedure?

  Many veterinary professionals agree that pets receiving proper dental care throughout the course of their lives will live approximately 15-20% longer than those suffering without veterinary dental care. The reason is the bacteria in our pet’s mouths begins to accumulate on their teeth at a very early age. Without proper brushing and veterinary care, these bacteria harden and form tartar and plaque. Each time a pet without dental care swallows, they swallow these harmful bacteria which can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and heart. Regardless of your constant companions age or current dental condition, the compassionate veterinarians at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic can help their oral hygiene and overall health. Please call one of caring professionals to set an appointment today at 706-733-2288.

• How important is nutrition for my pet?

  Just like people, proper nutrition is the cornerstone of the health of your pet. A proper diet, coupled with proper portions can prevent obesity in our pet companions. Overweight pets face many of the same issues as people, including limited mobility, joint pain, early onset of diabetes, elevated risks of certain cancers, and heart disease. At Walton Way Veterinary Clinic, our doctors have extensive experience in establishing proper nutrition habits based on each individual animal’s needs, and they will bring this same level of care to your pet. Regardless of your precious pet’s current age or health condition, become a part of our clinic family by scheduling an appointment with Walton Way!

• How long should I wait to bring my pet in if I notice a change in their behavior?

  The caring veterinarians at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic recommend making an appointment for your pet as soon as you notice a change in their usual behavior. Animals will often hide their pain due to their instincts, and a change in their normal actions may indicate something is different for your precious pet. Behavior changes may also be associated with issues unrelated to their health such as moving to a new home, or welcoming a baby to your household. The doctors at Walton Way are trained to help determine if changes in your pet are due to health-related issues, so please call one of our caring staff members if you notice a difference in your pet’s behavior.

• What should I do if I notice visible parasites on my pet?

  Contact Walton Way Veterinary Clinic right away if you notice visible parasites including fleas, ticks, lice or ear mites on your pet. Our hospital maintains the latest and most effective products for treatment and prevention of parasites that can infest your pet. However, you must remember that you may still need to treat your furry friend’s environment using either a professional pest control agency or an acceptable at-home treatment. Without environmental control, you may continue to see certain parasites until the entire area is treated. Schedule an appointment today for one of our doctors to determine a preventative that is right for the lifestyle of your pet.

• What if my pet has an after-hour problem?

  At Walton Way Veterinary Clinic, our doctors understand that not all issues with our pets occur during normal business hours. If your pet experiences an emergency after hours, please contact Augusta Animal Emergency by calling 706-733-7458. The emergency clinic is located at 208 Hudson Trace, Augusta, Georgia, 30907.

  
• At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

  The experienced veterinarians generally recommend spaying or neutering your pet between the ages of 5 and 6 months of age. While these procedures are common practice, please remember that a spay procedure in your pet is the equivalent as an ovarian hysterectomy in a human female and a neuter procedure is a complete removal of the male testes. Our doctors recommend pre-operative blood work, and pain medication for these surgical procedures. Call Walton Way Veterinary Clinic to schedule your furry family member’s spay or neuter today!

• What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?

  Heartworms are parasites that can affect dogs as well as cats. Heartworms are transmitted when an animal is bitten by a mosquito that is carrying immature heartworms known as microfilaria. When the infected mosquito bites our pets, heartworm larvae migrate into the bloodstream. These parasites in the bloodstream travel through many organs and tissues, including the lungs and heart. Preventing heartworms involves regular testing and heartworm preventatives administered to your pet. Heartworm prevention is always less expensive and more effective than treatment after infection. Please call one of our caring staff members at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic to have your pet tested and placed on a heartworm preventative.

• When is pain management recommended for my pet?

  The compassionate veterinarians at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic understand that animals feel pain in much the same way as people do. Our caring doctors and staff always work to keep pets in their care as comfortable as possible. This means medicating prior to surgery, in a similar manner to human medicine. Our veterinarians are also experienced in diagnosing age-related pain, including osteoarthritis, as well as managing the pain associated with the disease. Any time that your pet may be facing a surgical procedure or painful event, Dr. Vann always recommends pain prevention. Walton Way only carries products which have been proven safe and effective for pain. If your pet is facing a painful condition, rest assured that the compassionate doctors and staff at Walton Way will provide cutting-edge veterinary medicine as comfortable as possible for our precious clients.

• What financing options do you offer, or is payment expected at the time of service?

  Payment is expected at the time of service at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic. Our caring veterinarians understand that not all veterinary expenses are expected, so we are pleased to accept Care Credit. Care Credit can be accessed via the internet at https://www.carecredit.com/, by calling 800-677-0718, or we can assist you during your visit.

• What is a vaccine titer?

  There are times when vaccinations for our pets last longer than the manufacturer’s label indicates for the product. If you want to ensure your pet is still protected against disease, without a potentially unnecessary booster, the veterinarians at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic can run a titer test to determine whether or not a vaccination is necessary for your precious pet. A vaccine titer test is a simple blood test that measures the level of antibodies your pet has against a disease. If the level is high enough, a vaccination would not necessarily be needed at that time. If you are unsure of your furry family member’s vaccination status, schedule an appointment for vaccination titer testing at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic.

• What vaccinations are recommended for my pet?

  At Walton Way Veterinary Clinic, our experienced veterinarians have selected vaccine protocols based on the various disease states found in Augusta, Georgia and the surrounding CSRA area. Our canine patients are all recommended to be vaccinated against rabies, adenovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, bordetella, and Lyme disease. Our feline friends are vaccinated against rabies, feline leukemia, herpesvirus, rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, and chlamydia. Please remember that vaccinations are one of the most important ways that we can protect our precious pets against many viruses and diseases. If you have a new puppy or kitten, or an older pet and are unsure of their vaccination status, please schedule an appointment with the caring veterinary professionals at Walton Way Veterinary Clinic.