Question 1

What vaccinations should my pet receive?

Accepted Answer

East Longmeadow Animal Hospital advises the following common vaccinations your pet will receive from the time they are a puppy or kitten and when they are an adult animal.

Core Vaccines:
Rabies (Canines and Felines) (by Mass. state law)
Canine Parvovirus (Canines only)
Canine Hepatitis (Canines only)
Feline Calicivirus (Felines only)
Feline Rhitnotracheitis (Felines only)

Lifestyle Vaccines:
Lepto
Bordetella
Influenza

Question 2

Is euthanasia right for my pet?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia is an option considered for a pet when recovery or a comfortable existence is highly unlikely.

If you are considering euthanasia for your pet, please schedule an appointment so our staff at East Longmeadow Animal Hospital can evaluate your pet and provide you with the medical treatment options available.

Question 3

What is euthanasia?

Accepted Answer

Euthanasia is an injection of an anesthetic overdose into a vein of your pet which causes them to pass away quickly and painlessly. We also offer End-of-Life & Euthanasia services here at East Longmeadow Animal Hospital.

Question 4

What age to vaccinate my kitten or puppy?

Accepted Answer

East Longmeadow Animal Hospital advises that Kittens and puppies require vaccinations between 6-8 weeks, then 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. After that, your kitten and puppy should receive annual check-ups to receive routine care and rabies vaccinations by state law.

Question 5

How often does my pet need a rabies shot?

Accepted Answer

Rabies vaccine is required by Mass. state law. East Longmeadow Animal Hospital recommends cats receive rabies annually and canines every three years after their first initial rabies vaccines.

Question 6

When should I spay/neuter my kitten or puppy?

Accepted Answer

East Longmeadow Animal Hospital advised the following for neutering.

Dogs: Typically dogs are neutered around six to nine months of age. If you have an adult dog, they can still be neutered. For canines, spay and neuter recommendations vary based on breed and size of the pet. Your vet will provide you with recommendations based on the individual patient during an exam.

Cats: Kittens can be spayed or neutered as young as six months old. It is recommended that you spay or neuter your cat before they are five months old.

Question 7

Are grain-free diets bad for my pets?

Accepted Answer

Recently, East Longmeadow Animal Hospital has discovered that the FDA launched an investigation into a potential link between diets (mostly grain-free) and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Question 8

What brand of food do you recommend?

Accepted Answer

Here at East Longmeadow Animal Hospital we carry and recommend the full lines of prescription pet foods including Hill's, Purina, and Royal Canin.

Question 9

My cat is an indoor cat, does s/he still need vaccinations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, East Longmeadow Animal Hospital advises vaccines for your pet even though they do not go outdoors.

Question 10

How often should I bring my pet in?

Accepted Answer

East Longmeadow Animal Hospital recommends that just like a person would have a yearly exam. If your pet suffers from a chronic illness or disease, it may be required that they have more frequent veterinary visits.

Valerie R.

Veterinary Technician

Other Team Members:

Valerie R.

Veterinary Technician

Other Team Members:

Amanda G.

Elijah Q.

Jessica P.