Frequently asked questions

The clinic is on Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Rd in Ash Shati Ash Sharqi, Dammam, and also serves pet owners from Khobar, Dhahran, Qatif and Saihat. We look forward to seeing you both.

Sunday to Thursday 9:00 am – 11:00 pm, Friday 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm, and Saturday 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm. We stay open late, because pets don’t choose when to feel unwell.

We treat cats, dogs, rabbits and birds. Fur or feathers, big or small, all are welcome. For other species, please contact us first so we can make sure we can meet their needs.

Yes, we see veterinary emergencies in Dammam during opening hours. Call us on 054 123 3327 to arrange your pet’s arrival so we can prepare. We know how worrying these moments are, and we’ll be ready for you.

Yes. We see pet birds at our Dammam clinic and offer bird check-ups and treatment, just as we do for cats and dogs. If your bird has fluffed-up feathers, is eating less or its droppings have changed, call us to book.

Yes. We collect your pet from your home in Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Qatif or Saihat and bring them back after the service. Book by WhatsApp or phone.

Call our mobile +966 54 123 3327 or landline +966 13 815 7775, or message us on WhatsApp. Booking ahead is recommended to avoid waiting, and if you come without an appointment you’re still welcome.

Costs depend on the case. Contact us by phone or WhatsApp for an estimate before your visit. No surprises: we tell you the cost before we start.

Message us on WhatsApp or call us with your address, a convenient time, and the service your pet needs.

We cover Dammam, Khobar, Dhahran, Qatif and Saihat. If you’re elsewhere, contact us and we’ll do our best to help.

The fee depends on your area, and we tell you the amount when you book, before the appointment is confirmed.

Core vaccines usually start at 6–8 weeks of age, with follow-up doses every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks. The vet confirms the right schedule after an examination.

We recommend booking by phone or WhatsApp to avoid waiting; walk-ins are seen when a vet is available.

Yes. Every pet receives a vaccination record listing the vaccines given and the dates of upcoming doses.

Kittens need a series of vaccines because the protection they get from their mother’s milk fades over the first few months. Our schedule: at 8 weeks, the first core vaccine (FVRCP, against feline herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia), plus deworming and treatment for external parasites such as fleas and ticks. At 11–12 weeks, an FVRCP booster with deworming and external parasite treatment. At 12–16 weeks, another FVRCP booster and the rabies vaccine, which is then given once a year. From then on, deworming and external parasite treatment are repeated every 3 months. Adult cats with no vaccine history usually get two FVRCP doses 3–4 weeks apart, plus one rabies shot, and deworming and external parasite treatment every 3 months for life. Your vet will tailor the plan to your cat’s age, health and lifestyle.

Kittens get a dose every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks old. After the first-year booster, most adult cats need rabies and FVRCP once a year. Cats that go outdoors, board, or live with other cats may need more frequent boosters. We will remind you when each one is due.

Yes, for most healthy cats. Many vaccines come combined, so one injection can protect against three diseases (FVRCP). Giving several vaccines in one visit is standard practice and means fewer stressful trips. We may spread them over two visits if your cat is very small, unwell, elderly, or has reacted to a vaccine before. Each vaccine is given in a different, recorded spot on the body.

A mild reaction is common and usually passes within 24–48 hours. Your cat may be sleepy, have a slight fever, eat less, or be sore where the injection was given. Let them rest, keep water nearby, and do not give any human fever medicine: paracetamol and ibuprofen are toxic to cats. Call us right away if you see vomiting or diarrhoea, swelling of the face or around the eyes or itchy bumps, difficulty breathing or collapse, or fever or lethargy lasting more than 48 hours. A small lump at the injection site can appear for a few weeks; bring your cat in if it is still there after 3 months, grows larger than 2 cm, or keeps growing one month after the vaccine.

Many contemporary Islamic scholars consider neutering animals permissible when it brings a real benefit or prevents harm, and when it is done humanely under anaesthesia. Benefits include preventing unwanted litters and stray cats, and protecting the cat’s own health. Some scholars hold a stricter view, so if you are unsure, we encourage you to ask a scholar you trust. Medically, spaying and castration prevent unplanned pregnancies and the suffering of unwanted kittens, greatly reduce the risk of mammary tumours and remove the risk of life-threatening womb infection (pyometra) in females, and reduce spraying, roaming, fighting and loud calling during heat. The surgery is done under full anaesthesia with pain relief, so your cat does not feel it.

Indoor cats can still pick up worms, because parasites can come to them: worm eggs carried in on shoes, clothes and shopping bags; insects such as flies and cockroaches, or the occasional mouse or gecko; fleas, which carry tapeworm and can hitch a ride on people or other pets; raw meat or fish; and contact with a new cat or another pet in the home. Kittens can also carry worms and larvae from their mother’s milk. Worms can cause weight loss, diarrhoea, vomiting, a dull coat and a swollen belly in kittens, and some can pass to people, especially children. As a general guide, kittens are dewormed every 2 weeks until 8 weeks old, then monthly until 6 months; adult indoor cats every 3 months. Your vet may adjust this for your cat.

The most common skin fungus in cats is ringworm (dermatophytosis), which is a fungus, not a worm. Its spores are tough and can survive in the home for more than a year. Ringworm is the most common fungus in pets and it is zoonotic, meaning it can pass from people to pets and from pets to people. People can catch it from other people while shaking hands, in public places, or even in a hospital or supermarket, and bring it home to their cat; many don’t notice it, because it can look as small as a scratch. Indoor cats can also catch it from a new cat or kitten brought into the home, people who have touched an infected animal, shared brushes, bedding, carriers or grooming tools, and visits to groomers, boarding or other homes with cats. Kittens, long-haired breeds such as Persians, older cats and cats with weak immunity or stress are most at risk. Look for round patches of hair loss, scaly or crusty skin, and broken hairs, and see a vet early; treatment usually combines medicine with cleaning the home.

Cats are very good at hiding illness, so a cat that looks healthy can still have a hidden problem. A blood test before anaesthesia checks the kidneys and liver, which clear anaesthetic drugs from the body; red blood cells, to rule out anaemia; platelets, which help blood clot during and after surgery; and blood sugar and signs of infection. The results let us choose the safest anaesthetic and dose, decide whether your cat needs IV fluids, or postpone the procedure if something needs treating first. They also give a healthy baseline to compare against in future visits.

An X-ray lets us see inside the body without surgery. We use it to check for broken bones, joint problems and arthritis; heart size and lung problems such as fluid or infection; swallowed objects like hair ties, string or toys; bladder or kidney stones and severe constipation; tumours or enlarged organs; pregnancy and the number of kittens; and teeth roots and jaw problems (dental X-rays). X-rays are quick and painless. Some cats need light sedation to stay still for a clear image.

Dental disease is one of the most common problems in adult cats. Plaque hardens into tartar, which pushes bacteria under the gums and causes gum infection, pain, tooth loss and bad breath. Many cats also develop painful holes in their teeth (resorptive lesions) that are hard to see. Cats rarely show tooth pain; you may only notice bad breath, drooling, chewing on one side, or dropping food. Scaling removes tartar above and below the gum line, then the teeth are polished and checked, often with dental X-rays. It is done under general anaesthesia because cleaning below the gum line, where disease starts, cannot be done safely or thoroughly on an awake cat.

For routine care: kittens every 3–4 weeks during the vaccine series; adult cats (1–10 years) once a year for a check-up and boosters; senior cats (over 10 years) every 6 months, as problems like kidney and thyroid disease develop quietly. Come in the same day if your cat has not eaten for 24 hours (12 hours for a kitten); vomits or has diarrhoea repeatedly, or there is blood; is hiding, very lethargic, or drinking much more than usual; or is limping or has a wound, swelling or eye problem. Treat these as an emergency and come immediately: a male cat straining to urinate or passing little or no urine (a blocked bladder can be fatal within a day or two); breathing with the mouth open or struggling to breathe; collapse, seizures, or a fall from height; or suspected poisoning, including lilies, human medicines or cleaning products.

It depends mainly on coat length. Short-haired cats need brushing once a week, rarely need professional grooming, and only need a bath when dirty. Long-haired cats such as Persians need daily brushing, plus professional grooming and a bath every 4–8 weeks. For all cats, trim nails every 2–4 weeks and check ears and eyes weekly; flat-faced breeds may need their eyes wiped daily. Regular brushing reduces hairballs and matting and lets you spot lumps, fleas or skin problems early. Older and overweight cats often need more help because they cannot groom themselves well.

A sudden switch often upsets the stomach and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, gas or constipation, and some cats simply refuse the new food. Change gradually over 7–10 days: on days 1–2 mix 75% old food with 25% new; on days 3–4 half and half; on days 5–6 25% old with 75% new; and from day 7 serve only the new food. If your cat has a sensitive stomach, go even slower. Never let your cat go hungry to force it to accept a new food, because not eating is dangerous for cats.

Do not wait it out. A cat that stops eating for more than 1–2 days can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), a serious and potentially fatal condition, especially in overweight cats. Kittens can weaken within hours. While you arrange a vet visit, try offering fresh wet food slightly warmed to body temperature to boost the smell, moving the bowl to a quiet place away from the litter box and other pets, and checking for a recent change such as new food, a move, a new pet or visitors. Bring your cat in if it has not eaten for 24 hours (12 hours for a kitten), or sooner if it is also vomiting, hiding, drooling, or has a fever. Loss of appetite is often a sign of something else, such as dental pain, infection, or kidney disease. Do not give human medicines.

Both can be healthy if they are labelled “complete and balanced” for your cat’s life stage, and many cats do best on a mix of the two. Wet food is about 75–80% water and is best for hydration, urinary and kidney health, weight control, and picky or older cats, but it spoils within hours once opened and costs more. Dry food is about 10% water and is convenient, cheaper, and suits free-feeding and puzzle feeders, but it is easy to overfeed and cats may drink too little. Cats naturally drink little water, so wet food helps prevent urinary problems and dehydration, which matters even more in hot weather. If your cat eats mostly dry food, keep fresh water in several places or try a water fountain. Ask us which diet suits your cat’s age and health.