What is REQUIRED from me for an initial consultation?
– In order to be seen at our practice we require all of the following:
– A current medical history. Your pet MUST have been seen by a primary veterinarian within the last year. And we require the history a minimum of 2 weeks before your appointment
– A current rabies vaccination and certificate
– A current heartworm test for dogs
Can I have an estimate over the phone?
– No, our policy is that we must first examine your pet and Dr Herrman must look in the pet’s mouth in order to determine what your estimate will be.
Can I send you my other veterinarian’s estimate and exam history in order to give me an estimate without a consultation?
– No, only our veterinarian can determine what our estimates are. There could be discrepancies from doctor to doctor and Dr Herrman must examine each patient herself for safety purposes.
Can I come into the building during my pet’s appointment?
– No, we are not having clients come in with their pets mostly due to a very small front office space. We can handle the appointment with more efficiency and less stress for your pet this way and we will take many photos of your pet’s mouth and go over everything thoroughly. We find with less commotion in the office all of our patients are more at ease, as it is only one animal at a time. This way once the handling is over we can concentrate on explaining all our findings thoroughly with you.
We understand that this may seem unusual but we care deeply about making the appointment as quick and complete as possible with minimal stress for your pet.
Lastly, we are a small team so if any of us get ill it greatly limits our ability to service all the animals in need.
How much does a consultation cost?
– The appointment fee is $85, plus any pre-operative medications, should your pet require a procedure, which could range from $18 – $80 depending on the size of your pet. Also, for your convenience, we offer pre-operative blood work at the consultation exam. The cost of blood work at our facility ranges from $85-$155, depending on the age and health status of your pet. If you choose not to have blood work done with us, then you will be responsible to have that done and sent to our office at least 2 weeks prior to your scheduled procedure date.
Why does my pet need blood work?
– We require each pet to have pre-operative blood work for their safety and to help us make anesthesia and medication choices. For older pets or pets with complicated medical histories we will recommend a more comprehensive blood panel.
How long is my pet’s blood work good for?
– Blood work is valid for 3 months for most pets. Some exceptions may be elderly pets and those with medical conditions.
What are the medications that I will be receiving at the consultation?
– We give each dog a medication to relieve anxiety, because when dogs come out of anesthesia they are very noise sensitive and anxious, so this medication helps them come out of anesthesia much smoother and more comfortably.
– We also give each dog medication for anti-nausea, vomiting and to settle the stomach.