Sondel Family Veterinary Clinic
FAQs
There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.
We Proudly Serve the Pets of Madison, WI and Beyond
We will strive to the best of our ability to have a friendly and caring environment in which we can create an atmosphere of trust between our staff and clients.
Post & Pre-Op FAQ
My pet is scheduled to have surgery, what do I need to know ahead of time?
My pet is scheduled to have a dental procedure tomorrow, what do I need to know ahead of time?
My pet is scheduled to have an abdominal ultrasound, what do I need to know ahead of time?
My pet is scheduled to have a CT, what do I need to know ahead of time?
When should my pet have their sutures removed?
How long should my pet wear a cone?
How can I access my pet’s x-rays, ultrasound, or CT images?
If your pet had x-rays or a CT scan at Sondel Family Veterinary Clinic, they are accessible on our website using the Radiograph Access portal and the patient ID of your last name, comma, space, and the patient’s first name as it appears in their patient file. If you are unsure how it appears in their patient file, you can check your invoice. If your pet had an ultrasound at our EAST clinic, their ultrasound images will be accessible following the directions above. If your pet had an ultrasound at our WEST clinic, please call the clinic at (608) 497-1392, and a link to view the ultrasound will be emailed to you. If you are having trouble accessing the ultrasound via the link emailed to you, please make sure you are using Chrome as your internet browsing on a desktop computer and laptop.
Wellness Exam FAQ
What does it mean if my pet is scheduled for a “tech appointment”?
Why are some vaccines yearly and others every 3 years?
My pet doesn’t do well at the vet, is there anything I can do to prepare them?
For dogs, if they have had a previous stressful experience, please let us know. We’re happy to send home medication to try and see if we can make it a better visit! Also, you’re always welcome to stop by to say hello and have a stress-free visit! They don’t always have to have something potentially scary happen every time they come. We are in this profession because we love animals and are always happy to help “socialize” them.
What’s the difference between core vaccines and lifestyle vaccines?
What is leptospirosis? Does my dog need the lepto vaccine?
Leptospirosis is a bacterium that is spread via wild animal urine and can be found in any water source (pond, bird bath, lake, puddle etc.). It can cause liver failure, kidney failure, difficulty breathing, and death. If your dog swims, likes to lick gross things outside, drinks out of anything outside, it is highly recommended.
What is lyme disease? Does my dog need the lyme vaccine?
Lyme disease is a bacterium that is spread via the deer tick and can cause limping/limb soreness and limping, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, fevers and loss of appetite. In addition, serious kidney complications have been associated with lyme disease in dogs. If your dog goes hunting, to dog parks, or runs around in areas with tall grass, it is highly recommended.
What is Bordetella? Does my dog need the Bordetella vaccine?
Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterial agent responsible for kennel cough in dogs. It causes inflammation of your dog’s upper respiratory system and this inflammation leads to coughing and illness that can expose your dog to secondary infections. It is highly contagious between dogs that are sharing saliva in water bowls, on toys, and by playing. If your dog is boarded, goes to dog parks, groomed, goes to dog shows, or is frequently around other non-family dogs, it is highly recommended (and most facilities require it).
What is canine influenza? Does my dog need the canine influenza vaccine?
Canine Influenza in dogs can cause a cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, a reduced appetite, and some dogs may show no signs of illness. In severe cases, pneumonia and sometimes death may also happen. While not common in our area, at times cases do pop up. Because of this, some local kennels also have it as a requirement.
What is FeLV/FIV?
FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). While a cat with either virus has the potential of living a healthy, long life, some may be affected more than others. When the FIV virus is active (which may take months or years), it can weaken the cat’s immune system, leaving them at risk for different infections. The virus has also been shown to cause cancers in some infected cats. While FELV is a different virus, it may present like FIV in cats. FELV is the most common cause of cancer in cats, may cause various blood disorders, and may lead to a state of immune deficiency that hinders a cat’s ability to protect itself against other infections. FELV is considered the “nice cat” virus and FIV the “mean cat” virus because of how they are transmitted. FELV can be passed between cats through saliva, tears, nasal secretions, urine, and feces, while FIV is transmitted when an infected cat bites another and is highly unlikely to be passed through casual contact.
How do I collect a fecal sample?
How do I collect a urine sample from my dog?
Reproductive FAQ
When should I start progesterone testing my dog before breeding?
How much semen is considered a breeding dose?
What are the important progesterone numbers before breeding?
I am using frozen semen for an upcoming breeding, why does SFVC recommend a surgical insemination over a TcI?
I want to get my male collected and have the semen frozen. Do you do that? How does it work? How much does it cost?
What’s the difference between a side-by-side AI, TCI, and a surgical insemination?
I want to breed my dog. My breeding mentor recommends a TCI - why is that more expensive?
I’ve been running progesterone tests at my local vet - do I have to run one at your clinic before breeding?
Parasiticide FAQ
What are the differences between the flea and tick products you carry?
Sondel Family Veterinary Clinic carries six different types of flea and tick prevention for dogs, and two different flea and tick preventatives for cats. Which of these we recommend for you and your pet will vary depending on your lifestyle and your pet’s individual needs. Below are the products we carry in-house and most frequently recommend for our patients, in alphabetical order:
- FrontLine Gold for cats: monthly topical that kills fleas and ticks.
- FrontLine Gold for dogs: monthly topical that kills fleas and ticks. Safe for use in pregnant and lactating dogs.
- Nexgard for dogs: monthly chewable tablet that kills fleas and ticks before they can transfer diseases.
- Revolution Plus for cats: monthly topical that kills fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, treats, and controls ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms.
- Seresto for dogs: collar providing up to 8-months of flea, tick, and lice repellent. Kills fleas and ticks.
- Simparica for dogs: monthly chewable tablet that kills fleas and ticks before they can transfer diseases.
- Simparica Trio for dogs: monthly chewable tablet that kills fleas and ticks before they can transfer diseases and prevents heartworm disease, roundworm and hookworm infestations.
- Seresto for dogs: collar providing up to 8-months of flea, tick, and lice repellent. Kills fleas and ticks.
- Vectra 3D for dogs: monthly topical that repels and kills fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, lice, mites, and biting & sand flies.
What are the differences between the heart worm prevention that you carry?
Sondel Family Veterinary Clinic offers 3 different types of heartworm prevention for dogs. Which of these we recommend for your dog depends on your lifestyle and their individual needs. The products we carry in-house and most frequently recommend are:
- Heartgard Plus: monthly chewable tablet that prevents heartworm disease, hookworm, and roundworm infestations.
- ProHeart 12: yearly injection that prevents heartworm disease and treats hookworm infestations. Safe for pregnant and lactating dogs, and ivermectin-sensitive collies.
- Simparica Trio: monthly chewable tablet that prevents heartworm disease, kills fleas and ticks before they can transfer diseases and prevents hookworm and roundworm infestations.