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Anderson Animal Clinic
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Frequently Asked Questions
When do I get my pet vaccinated? -Puppies and kittens should get their first vaccination at 6 weeks of age. Follow up vaccination are given 9, 12, and 16 weeks. From then on they are done on a yearly basis. Should I vaccinate my cat for rabies? -Cats are not required by the state to be vaccinated for rabies. However, if your cat can be exposed to wild animals that might carry rabies, a vaccination is recommended. Should I give my dog a heartworm preventative? -Heartworms are carried by mosquitoes. If you live where there are mosquitoes, talk to the doctor. A heartworm blood test is required every two years to get the preventative medication. How much do you charge for an office call? -For current clinic prices on routine services, please call the clinic. Quotes for surgery and special procedures will be given after examination by the veterinarian. Do I need an appointment to have stitches removed after surgery? -Stitches from surgeries are generally removed 10 or more days after surgery. Stitches are removed M – F without an appointment. What do I do if my pet needs medical attention at night or when the clinic is not open? Call the Clinic’s number. If a veterinarian is on call he will answer. Otherwise, you will be directed to call the number of an Emergency Clinic. What do I do if I need copies of my pet’s records? Call the clinic. For simple health records a copy maybe mailed or faxed to you. Please give us at least 24 hours. For entire files and copies of x-rays a nominal fee will be charged. We will need an authorization form to release records. If my veterinarian doesn't clear up my pet’s problem, can I get a refund? Fees cover what is done for the pet including the examination, lab tests, treatment, and medications. Some problems can be long-term or involve multiple and/or changing causes. Treatment may be ongoing. To affect a cure is not always possible. You are paying for an HONEST attempt to diagnose and treat a problem. There is NO implied guarantee of successful outcome. We just try our best. Our clinic continues to grow due to the high percentage of successful outcomes we produce. My pet's bill adds up to a lot of money. I just don't have that kind of money all at once. What about terms? Our veterinary fees are based on payment at the time of service. To keep fees low as possible, we must eliminate all unnecessary factors that would raise fees. The hospital business manager will be able to clarify the payment policy of our clinic. Many needed procedures can be staggered over a period of time, rather than "doing everything at once." Discussing the pet's health care needs on a spread out basis is one way to diffuse the cost over the year. The pet owner should not expect the veterinary practice to be the banker for the pet's health care needs. We accept credit cards. Why can't the veterinarian advise, diagnose, and prescribe over the phone and save me a lot of time and money? Not only is it unethical and illegal to prescribe for an animal that hasn't been physically examined by a veterinarian, it is also impossible to come up with an accurate diagnosis and rational plan of treatment. A veterinarian can't make a diagnosis based on signs only as observed by an owner. The outward signs may be an indication of any number of internal causes with a variety of clinical treatments. A complete physical examination is required to determine the cause of signs and best course of treatment. Asking your veterinarian to advise, diagnose, and/or prescribe over the phone is the same as having your physician prescribe over the phone. If you were told to take an antacid for what was, in actuality, a heart attack, the results could be disastrous!
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