Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions/answers that we are frequently asked. If you have additional questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to give us a call at (209)874-4482.

1. What are the Hospital hours?
   Our hospital is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Wednesday 8-1.  We do not close for lunch, but are closed Saturday & Sunday.
2. Do I need to have an appointment?
   Yes, patients are seen by appointment.
3. What forms of payment do you accept?
   Cash, Mastercard and Visa
4. Can I make payments?
   Payment is required at the time of service. Surgeries are usually paid in the morning of the procedure.  Estimates for treatments & medications are provided as part of our examination process.  We work hard to discuss all your options as well as to stay within our agreed upon estimates.
5. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?
   This is becoming a more controversial topic as the numbers of healthy euthanasias due to simple over population are - Thankfully! - finally dropping.  This has changed the conversation from "how to prevent the killing of excess puppies & kittens" to "what is best for THIS puppy or kitten".   Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6 months of age. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. Also a pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.
6. What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?
   This is a blood test that is run here in the clinic prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions, blood counts and clotting function of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.
7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?
   Procedures involving sutures may be removed 14 days following the surgery although most of our sutures are absorbable making their removal optional - they will fall off without help after a month or so.
8. Is it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?
   No, there is no advantage to letting your pet have one litter. However there are plenty of advantages to having you pet spayed or neutered. These advantages include decreasing the chances of breast tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens.
9. Do you board pets?
   Only for medical conditions requiring ongoing observation by our doctor.