608-834-8118    |    1512 N. Bristol St. Sun Prairie, WI 53590    |    Mon - Fri 8 AM - 6 PM

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Sun Prairie Pet Clinic will offer appointments in either curbside or face-to-face format

In July 2021 we will return to scheduling face-to-face appointments in addition to offering curbside as well.  We recognize that different families have varying levels of comfort in regard to returning to face-to-face appointments in an exam room setting.  Because of this, we now offer a choice of either curbside or face-to-face format for regularly scheduled appointments. 

To maintain our efforts at keeping COVID-19 exposure risk as low as possible, we will continue to restrict access to the building and will have doors locked through the day.  When you arrive to the Clinic for an appointment we request that you call from your parking spot to alert us that you have arrived.  Our staff will then direct you though the steps of your appointment, either by gathering information over the phone (in the case of a curbside visit) or by escorting you and your pet into the building (in the case of a face-to-face visit).  

For all clients that are entering the building for an appointment, we will continue to require that a mask is worn over the nose and mouth throughout the duration of your time in the Clinic.  Failure to wear a mask throughout you time in the Clinic will result in finishing your visit in a curbside format.  

If you have arranged to have prescription foods or medicines ready ahead of you visit, these will continue to be placed in the vestibule that is reserved for pickup.  For our clients that arrive to the Clinic to purchase prescription foods or medications without prior arrangements we ask that you please contact us when you arrive so we can assist you.

By |July 12th, 2021|Uncategorized|

Online Scheduling is here!

We have introduced online access to your pet’s information, as well as the ability to edit your contact information, schedule appointments, and request refills for chronic medications through our pet portal.  For convenience, there are several new icons on the website pages that allow you to access the pet portal directly.  Additional information is available at the Pet Portal / Online Scheduling page on our website, which is available here.

By |April 10th, 2017|Uncategorized|

Tips for choosing your next dog

If you are planning to get a dog, there are a number of things you should consider to maximize the enjoyment of pet ownership.

Breed

One of the most important things to consider is what type of dog to get.  With the wide variety of breeds available, there is typically a breed that is well suited to your home; conversely, there are a number of breeds that may not suit your home and lifestyle well.

Remember all of the family members that will be living with this dog.  Additionally, keep in mind the other people that will interact with your dog and how you want that interaction to develop.  If there is a large number of young children that will be around your dog, finding a breed that is calm and not easily agitated will be a good choice.  The size of the dog also very important and must be considered.  If your dog will be kept at family member’s homes while you vacation, be certain that they are able to take care of the dog you get, otherwise the dog will need to travel with you or will need to be kenneled at a commercial kenneling facility.

Age

Considering the age of a dog is another important factor to consider as well.  Acquiring a puppy allows to you have a lot of control over the training from the beginning.  Training a puppy from a young age can be challenging, though, and requires a significant time investment.  Getting an adult dog allows you to skip house training and basic training (like sit, come, and stay), though if that training was not completed already you may need to do this anyway.

Gender

While many people have a preference regarding getting a male or a female dog, there typically is no significant difference between the two as long as there is proper training and temperament for your home.

Taking the time to consider these factors is very important to maximize the enjoyment you get from your newest family member.

By |March 27th, 2017|Uncategorized|

Canine Flu reported in Dane County again

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture released information in early December indicating that there have been new cases of the canine influenza virus identified in Dane county in the recent weeks.  Based on what we know about this disease from the outbreak in Chicago during the spring, we are concerned about the threat posed to our canine family members in our area.

It is important to note that while there are new cases reported in Dane county, there has been no indication that the number of cases is growing.  This is significant because the Canine Influenza virus is highly transmissible; a lack of additional new cases appears to show that monitoring and quarantine efforts have been successful in holding back the spread to far.  Because this disease is spread by contact with other dogs, we expect that the number of cases will rise as we get to warmer weather and there are more group outdoor activities for our dogs to participate in.

The new cases reported this month are caused by the H3N2 strain of the Canine Influenza virus, which is different from the H3N8 strain that is more routinely seen in North America.  This is the same strain that caused the outbreak in the Chicago area.  This strain can cause dogs to be more ill than the more common one, with patients typically feeling poorly for 14 days, sometimes even 21 or more.  Clinical signs typically include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge (runny nose), lethargic behavior, and decreased appetite.

During the outbreak in Chicago there was no vaccine available for the new strain.  Since that time, there is a vaccine that has been developed and licensed.  The new vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical testing.  Currently, the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic considers both the H3N8 and H3N2 Canine Influenza vaccines important for dogs that frequent dog parks, attend day care or group training classes, or are involved in activities that could bring them in proximity to a large number of other dogs (competitions, shows, etc.).  A good ‘rule of thumb’ is that if you feel that your dog benefits from a Bordetella (“Kennel Cough”) vaccine, then you should consider having your dog vaccinated for H3N8 and H3N2 Influenza.

If you have any questions regarding the Canine Influenza virus, or if you feel that your dog is showing clinical signs of canine influenza, please call the Sun Prairie Pet Clinic at 608-834-8118.

By |December 28th, 2015|Uncategorized|