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 (941)423-3503.

1. What are the Hospital hours?

   Our hospital is open Monday from 8:00am to 6:00pm, Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 amd to 7:00 pm and Fridays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. . The clinic is closed on weekends.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES are handled by the local Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Port Charlotte; located in outer parking lot of the Port Charlotte Mall, in a yellow building between Sears and Sam's Club.  Their phone number is (941) 255-5222.

2. Do I need to have an appointment?

    Yes, patients are seen by appointment.

3. What forms of payment do you accept?

     Cash, Check, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and CareCredit.

4. Can I make payments?

    Payment is required at the time of service.  Payments plans are available from a third-party lender called CareCredit.  They offer 6 month interest free plans with no money down.  You can click the button on our home page to apply on-line or go to carecredit.com.

5. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?

   Spaying or neutering can be done any time after the juvenile vaccine series is completed. For small breed dogs it is recommended that all of their adult teeth be fully erupted prior to scheduling the procedure; we recommend this because if any 'baby' teeth have to be extracted you can combine the procedures and have your pet only under anesthesia one time. Your pet is given a comprehensive examination 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 required prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.

6.  What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?

   This is a blood test that we perform within the week 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 require them to be removed 10 days following the surgery.

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?

   We have boarding space for cats only, in specially designed cat condos that allow for separate living, eating and bathroom spaces.