What payment options do you offer?
To provide the best care for all of our patients, and maintain a high standard of care, we do not offer payment plans through our hospital. Payment is due at the time that services are rendered in the form of cash, credit, or check. We accept Visa, Discover, and Master Card. However, we do accept CareCredit, which offers a payment plan for large purchases. Please ask our reception staff for more information on CareCredit if you are interested. You may apply online and use the card the day of your application if necessary.
I have a new puppy or kitten! What shots does it need?
Puppies and kittens both need to come in over the span of a few months for a series of boosters. Starting at 6 weeks, they'll get their first vaccine, known as DHPP (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus) for puppies or FVRCP (Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, and Chlamydia) for kittens. This will need to be boostered every 3-4 weeks until they are 15 weeks old. In addition, once they are 12 weeks old, they can receive their Rabies vaccine. Both will then only need to be boostered once a year. Also, we'll check a fecal sample for the first two exams to make sure your puppy or kitten is free of worms as well!
My pet has worms! Does this mean I have worms too?
Most likely, No. If your dog has been diagnosed with worms, just make sure to wash your hands after handling them. Not all worms are transmissible, but some worms, like roundworms and hookworms, can be contracted if you come into contact with the feces. Puppies and kittens generally get worms from their mothers, transmitted during development or through her milk. Older dogs can get worms from the infected feces of other dogs, from ingesting fleas, or even from the ground. The best way to prevent any infestation in your dog is to bring them in regularly for a visit and to keep them on a monthly dewormer between visits.
I don't plan on breeding my dog or cat. Why and when should I have them fixed?
If you adopted a puppy or kitten, the best time to spay (girls) or neuter (boys) them is between 4-6 months, after they have received all of their vaccines. As a general rule, the sooner the better for males, in order to prevent any unwanted behaviors, like marking or aggression. In female dogs, we prefer to spay them before they go into heat. This helps cut down on the chance of developing mammary tumors later on in their life.
If your dog is older, spaying or neutering them can still be a wise decision. While they may experience a small amount more pain and have a longer recovery time than a young puppy or kitten would, there are still health benefits. Conditions like pyometra, prostate cancer, and mammary cancer all increase in risk in older, intact pets.
My pet is having surgery! I'm scared. What risks are involved and how does it differ from human surgery?
Modern veterinary surgery is actually very similar to human surgery. While it does still have risks, we take every precaution to ensure your pet's safety. Before surgery is even started, we run bloodwork to check that your pet doesn't have any current conditions that would interfere with the surgery. While pulling the blood, our technicians also place an IV catheter, assuring immediate access for medicine administration.
No matter what surgery we are performing on your pet, an experienced veterinary technician is right there next to the doctor, monitoring your pet with the latest technology, tracking their heartrate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and more. Even after surgery, the technician will stay with your pet until they are completely awake, and in most situations, you'll be able to take your pet home that night.