Policies

Payment Policy

We accept Cash, Check, and major credit cards Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. As a service to our clients, we are pleased to offer CareCredit, the nation’s leading patient payment plan. Through CareCredit we offer both 3 month and 6 month payment plans to meet every financing need. With the popular Interest Free payment plans, there are no interest charges if the balance is paid in full within the specified time period. Plus, there are no upfront costs, no annual fees, and no pre-payment penalties. It’s easy to apply and you’ll receive a decision in seconds. Apply now by clicking here or see our staff for more details.

Admissions

When bringing your pet to the hospital, remember he/she may be a little uneasy about the unfamiliar surrounding, so we ask you to restrain your pet before entering the waiting room. We suggest that dogs remain on a short leash at all times when in the hospital and cats are brought in a pet carrier. This is for the protection of your pet, yourself, and the staff. Please remember that although we do our best to minimize the stress your animal may feel while visiting the hospital, it is still a stress filled environment. Pets who may otherwise be very well behaved can react unpredictably in a stressful situation. Your pet and others in the waiting room will appreciate your extra care. If you do not have a proper carrier or leash, please inform the receptionist upon entering the building and we will provide one for you.

Boarding

All animals admitted to the hospital for boarding must be current on vaccinations. Dogs must have received a DHP and Rabies vaccine within the last three years and a Bordetella vaccine within the last six months. Cats must have received an FVRCP vaccine within the last three years and a Rabies vaccine within the last year. All puppies and kittens must be current on their vaccines which will be determined by their age. This is necessary for the health and safety of all pets while in our care. If we have not examined your pet within the last 12 months, we will perform a complete physical examination to make sure your pet is in good health before admission. (Click here to read more about boarding). Speed up registration by filling out this Boarding Release Form and bringing it with you.)

Surgery

All animals being admitted for an anesthetic procedure must be fasted for 12 hours and brought into the hospital between 7am and 9am. This allows the surgical R.V.T. to prep our patients for their procedures. Preparations vary according to the type of procedure scheduled. Expect that all surgeries will be shaved at and around the surgical site. All animals are also shaved on one or more legs, allowing the placement of IV catheters. Animals brought in for abdominal ultrasounds will be shaved in the entire abdominal area and also about halfway up their sides.

Upon admission you will be asked to read and sign a release form for the procedure, including any anesthetic which will be used. Blood work is MANDATORY for all animals undergoing anesthesia and is submitted to an outside lab on a day prior to the procedure. However, we understand you have a busy schedule so for your convenience we are also able to run in-house labs that same morning. It is a good indication of the health of your pet and lessens the risk of complications.

You will be contacted by one of our Registered Veterinary Technicians as soon as your pet’s procedure has been completed. At that time, they will report the status on your pet and advise you when he/she will be ready for pick up. Upon discharge you will be given home care instructions and any medications that are necessary. Please read your home care instructions thoroughly. They include details about the surgical site, post surgical care and indicate when, if any, follow-up visits are necessary.

Vaccine Protocol

Our vaccine protocol is determined by the continuous research performed at UC Davis, who evaluate the benefits versus the risks of administering vaccines currently available on the market. We outline below the vaccines we consider to be beneficial and necessary to protect our canine and feline friends. For more in depth information you can visit the UC Davis vaccine guidelines page by clicking on the following link: UC Davis School of Medicine Vaccine Protocol

Canine

• DHP: (Distemper/Hepatitis/Parvo) given every 3-4 weeks starting at 6-9 weeks of age and continuing until 16 weeks or later.
• Bordetella: (prevents against some infectious coughs) given once as a puppy (usually around 9 weeks of age) and then every 6 months thereafter. Usually administered intranasally to dogs who are exposed to other dogs.
• Rabies: Given at 16 weeks or after. Booster in 1 year then every 3 years for life. Required by California Law.

All puppies will be given their final DHP at 16 weeks of age. Depending at what age they first receive this vaccine, will depend if they receive 3 or 4 during puppyhood.

Feline

• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis/Calici Virus/Panleukopenia): given every 3-4 weeks starting at 6-9 weeks of age and continuing until 16 weeks or later.
• FELV: (Feline Leukemia): Requires 2 vaccines to be given 3 weeks apart as a kitten (usually starts around 9 weeks of age) or a new vaccine. Leukemia/Aids test usually performed first. Recommended for cats that go outside unattended. Booster yearly for life.
• Rabies: given at 16 weeks of age. Booster yearly for life. Recommended for all cats.

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