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FAQs

1. What should I do if my animal becomes injured or sick after normal business hours?
For small animal emergencies, call Pet Emergency and Trauma Services (PETS) at 406-587-3996.

For large animal emergencies, please call Sorensen-Intermountain Veterinary Hospital at (406) 388-6275.

For other inquiries or to make an appointment, please call during business hours 8am-5pm Monday through Friday, or 8am-1pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.

2. What are the benefits of spaying or neutering my pet? When is the best time to do this?
There are many benefits to spaying and neutering your pets. Altered pets typically live longer due to reduced risk of contracting certain types of cancer and life-threatening infections. Behavioral problems such as roaming, mounting, and inappropriate spraying and marking are also lessened. Finally, decreasing the world’s unwanted pet population will help shelters and rescue organizations better maintain and improve their already overcrowded facilities.

We recommend spaying and neutering pets when they are approximately six months old. We may make special recommendations for your pet, depending on its breed.

3. Why is deworming important?
No pet is absolutely safe from internal parasitism. Puppies and kittens, along with outdoor pets are particularly at risk. Internal parasites may not only make your pet sick, but certain types can be transmitted to humans and cause serious neurological, skin, or ocular disease. There are safe effective medications available to treat internal parasitism. Performing annual fecal examinations can help our doctors decide which medication should be given to your pet.
 

4. Is heartworm prevention really important in Montana?

Yes! Heartworm infection causes life-threatening illness in dogs and rarely in cats. It is spread via the bite of a mosquito. While there is a lower incidence of heartworm disease in Montana versus states with warmer more humid climates, the risk is still very real. Prevention is easily achieved with a once-monthly chewable tablet given during the vector season (spring, summer, and early fall months). Pets traveling to warmer climates during the winter months should be on preventative medication year-round. Annual testing for heartworm disease is recommended in order to ensure that your pet is adequately protected, as well as to prevent adverse reactions that occur when infected pets are given preventative medication. Click here for an interactive map of heartworm incidences per year, and learn more about its prevalence in our area.

 

5. How can I prevent flea and tick infestation in my pets?

Fleas and ticks are responsible for a number of illnesses in our pet population. Certain blood parasites can be transmitted via tick bites, which can cause life-threatening diseases in both dogs and cats. Fleas transmit tapeworms to their animal hosts, and they may be the cause of allergic skin disease that can persist after the flea infestation has been eradicated.We recommend using a topical flea and tick preventative (like Advantix or Frontline) during the spring, summer, and early fall months. This is a safe, simple, and effective method of preventing external parasitism of your pets.

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