Meridian Veterinary Clinic

About

Making tails wag and people smile.

Story

The Meridian Veterinary Clinic & Hospital has, since its founding in 1962, provided the highest quality pet health-care to the Indianapolis and Greenwood areas.

When your pet is under the weather, it is often difficult to know what pain or discomfort they are feeling. In some instances, the problem may be very small; however, in other cases your pet may be in serious danger and in need of immediate care. There is no way of knowing what the problem with your pet may be, and that is why we are here to assist you. Meridian Veterinary Clinic is here to help animal owners who are trying to care for a sick or injured pet. Our staff is highly trained to provide the best available care for your cats, dogs, and other small animals.

Mission

Our mission is to make tails wag and people smile by providing unsurpassed veterinary medical and surgical care, with exceptional customer service to our clients.

Products

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: At what age can puppies/kittens get vaccinated?

A: The first canine or feline distemper vaccination is done at 8 weeks of age, with booster immunizations done at 12 and 16 weeks of age. The rabies vaccination is administered at 16 weeks of age with the third distemper vaccination. As an adult, vaccinations are done on a yearly basis.

Spaying and neutering usually occurs around 6 months of age.Q: How old should a puppy or kitten be to have a spay or neuter surgery?

A: Usually these surgeries are done around 4 to 6 months of age. Occasionally, under their discretion, the doctors can do the procedures at an earlier age.

Q: At what age can a kitten have a declaw surgery?

A: Kittens must be 3 pounds in weight or 3 months old (whichever occurs first) to have the declaw surgery.

Q: Is de-worming really necessary for cats and dogs?

A: De-worming puppies and kittens is necessary every 2 weeks, beginning at 4 weeks of age until 14 weeks of age. As adults, cats and dogs should be on a monthly heartworm preventative and ideally be de-wormed 4 additional times per year.

All dogs older than 6 months should be tested prior to initiating heartworm preventative.

Q: Is a heartworm test necessary?

A: Yes. An annual heartworm test (blood parasite screening) is necessary for the protection of your animal’s health. All dogs older than 6 months should be tested prior to initiating heartworm preventative. The test consists of a small sample of blood taken from your pet that tests for the blood parasite that can be transmitted by mosquitoes.

Q: Is heartworm preventative really necessary?

A: Yes!!! Year-round heartworm preventative is necessary to prevent heartworm disease. Unprotected dogs, foxes, and coyotes act as reservoirs for the spread of this serious and deadly disease. The monthly preventative also works to prevent and control intestinal parasites (such as hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms) that could possibly be transmitted to humans.

Q: Do you need a prescription for heartworm preventative medication? If so, why?

A: Yes. Heartworm preventative, such as HeartGard, Interceptor, and Trifexis, must be purchased from a veterinarian. The doctor must have a doctor-client-patient relationship in order to fill or write a prescription, and the dog must have had a negative heartworm test within the past year. Adult heartworms produce millions of microscopic “baby” heartworms (called “microfilaria”) into the bloodstream. When you give a monthly heartworm preventative to a dog with heartworms (circulating microfilaria), this can cause the sudden death of the microfilaria, triggering a shock-type reaction that can be harmful to the infected dog.

Kennel cough (Bordetella) is an infection that causes harsh, dry coughing that can be treated with strong antibiotics.

Q: What is the Bordetella vaccination, and does my dog need to be vaccinated?

A: The Bordetella vaccination is administered to dogs to prevent “kennel cough” transmitted by highly contagious airborne droplets from infected dogs. Kennel cough is an infection that causes harsh, dry coughing that can be treated with strong antibiotics. Boarding facilities, dog parks, and most groomers require this vaccination for dogs staying with them. The vaccination is highly recommended for all dogs that come in contact with any other dogs.

Meridian Veterinary Clinic & Hospital.
648 Treybourne Dr
Greenwood, IN 46142
Phone: 317-888-4405

Meridian Veterinary Clinic & Hospital, accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and CareCredit. Our staff is highly trained to provide the best available care for your cats, dogs, and other small animals.