1. General Questions
- My pet was recently examined elsewhere. Can I skip the exam?
- How many doctors are in your practice?
- How much do you charge for spaying/neutering/other surgeries?
- How much will my first visit cost?
- When do you see appointments?
- How long will my appointment last?
- Do you offer payment plans?
- Do you accept pet insurance?
- Do you require that all pets be on leashes or in carriers?
2. Emergencies
My pet was recently examined elsewhere. Can I skip the exam?
Unfortunately, no. An exam is required to establish the patient/doctor relationship. We are not able to vaccinate, treat or dispense medication for a pet that we have never examined, therefore an exam is always required to establish care at our hospital.
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How many doctors are in your practice?
We currently have two doctors in practice. Dr. Lynn Fortin is the practice owner and sees appointments on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Dr. Lisa DeRosa is our Associate Veterinarian and sees patients on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
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How much do you charge for spaying/neutering/other surgeries?
There are a lot of variables in the pricing of surgeries and we want to make sure we give you the most up to date and correct information for your specific pet. Therefore, if we have never seen your pet before, we require a physical exam before giving prices for surgery. If your pet is a current patient, call our office to request an estimate.
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How much will my first visit cost?
The answer to this question varies based on what your specific pet needs. If we have never seen your pet before, your initial visit will be $79. This includes a full physical exam. Vaccines, preventative medications, medical treatments and diagnostic tests are all an additional cost. At your first visit the Doctor and Nurse will review any previous medical history and will talk with you about any recommended services in addition to the exam. They can give you an estimate of charges before proceeding.
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What should I do in an emergency?
If it’s during normal business hours, call our regular number (860-953-3553) so that our staff can advise you. We do our best to accommodate our patients whenever possible. If it is after our normal business hours, please call an emergency hospital.
If it’s before our office opens in the morning, please do not bring your pet in when the office opens at 8:00 a.m. unless advised to do so by a member of our staff. It is likely that the doctor will not be in the office yet and you will be advised to go to an emergency hospital. Time is of the essence in an emergency situation and we want your pet to get emergency care on a timely basis so please contact an emergency hospital if you cannot speak with our staff.
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What emergency hospitals do you recommend?
There are three hospitals that we recommend:
Veterinary Specialists of Connecticut
993 North Main St, West Hartford, CT
860-236-3273
New England Veterinary Center & Cancer Care
955 Kennedy Rd, Windsor, CT
860-688-8400
Pieper Veterinary
730 Randolph Rd, Middletown, CT
860-347-8387
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What should I do if I know my pet has ingested a toxic substance?
First, call ASPCA Pet Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435. They have a database of plants, medications, foods and other substances and can calculate toxicity for your pet. They will give you a Case number which we can then use to discuss your case with their experts so we can coordinate both immediate and follow-up care with your pet as necessary.
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When do you see appointments?
We see morning appointments from 9:00-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Afternoon appointments are Monday – Friday 2:00-4:30 p.m. These times may vary as we reserve time for surgical and hospital procedures.
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How long will my appointment last?
Do you offer payment plans?
We offer payment plan options through Scratchpay. You can apply on your phone or online at www.scratchpay.com. We also accept Care Credit. You can apply online at carecredit.com
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Do you accept pet insurance?
Yes. However, we do not accept payment directly from the insurance company. We ask that you pay at the time of service and then we are happy to complete any insurance claim forms necessary for you to get reimbursed.
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Do you require that all pets be on leashes or in carriers?
Yes! This is for the safety of all our patients and their owners. Even if your pet is well-behaved off leash or outside of a carrier, the next patient who walks in the door may not be. We want to avoid unpleasant interactions whenever possible. Also, please keep in mind that even if your pet is well-behaved at home, coming to our office can be a stressful event so they may not act exactly as you expect.
If you use a retractable leash, we ask that you keep it no longer than two feet and in the locked position at all times.
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