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Two types of vet visits

In an effort to alleviate confusion and frustration when scheduling appointments or when additional appointments are required to address concerns or problems despite presenting for a wellness visit, we would like you to understand the distinction between the two types of visits.

 

ROUTINE ANNUAL OR BIANNUAL WELLNESS VISITS:

This is a visit for routine wellness and preventive care of a dog or cat who appears healthy, or who has stable problems that are currently under regular management. The focus of this appointment is the maintenance of optimal health. The following will be performed:

  • We will ask you questions about your pet’s diet, exercise, thirst, breathing, behavior, habits, elimination patterns (i.e., bowel movements and urination), lifestyle, and general health.
  • We will perform a thorough physical examination of your pet.
  • Based on your pet’s history and physical examination, we will then make recommendations for specific preventive medicine treatments such as vaccination, parasite control (including preventive treatments for fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and heartworm), nutrition, skin and coat care, joint health, weight management, or dental care, depending on your pet’s needs.
  • The appropriate vaccinations will be administered, and blood may be drawn (patient permitting) for heartworm and infectious disease screening, as well as potentially medication monitoring or wellness screening.
  • In addition, we will discuss as needed your dog’s individual circumstances and decide whether any other life-stage or lifestyle recommendations would be appropriate.

 

NON-ROUTINE VISITS:

This is a visit to discuss illness, injuries, or behavioral concerns in depth. The focus of this type of visit is to get more information, or history, of the presenting problem and to develop a diagnostic and treatment plan. The following may be performed:

  • We will ask questions related to the specific problem or behaviors.
  • We will perform a thorough physical examination of your pet, paying special attention to areas of concern.
  • Based on your pet’s history and physical examination, we will then make recommendations for specific diagnostic tests that can help us in diagnosing the problem at hand.
  • Medications may be prescribed and/or recommendations made to aid in addressing the concerns.
  • Blood, urine, skin testing, or other samples may be submitted to the laboratory.
  • Follow-up recommendations will be made based on the exam and lab findings.

While your pet’s veterinary care team may be able to initially address some concerns in the course of a wellness visit, typically these require additional time in order to fully address the problem at hand. As such, we may recommend a follow-up visit for concerns presented at wellness visits.

 

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New Client? Read our new client information page and call us to book your first appointment.

Appointments for existing clients only

 

Drop Off Appointments

Available upon request. Call for details.

Urgent Care

We have limited Urgent Care appointments that are booked the same day when we otherwise do not have available regular appointment slots.

 

Walk-in Emergencies

These are triaged and handled in accordance with the need and stability of the patient. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, please call or come in immediately during business hours or head to the nearest emergency or urgent care facility.

 

Technician Appointments

These can be booked for non-core vaccination boosters, lab work, suture/stitch/staple removal, or recheck x-rays (when approved by a veterinarian) for existing clients who have seen one of our veterinarians within 6 months.

If your pet is not current on wellness care/exam schedule, has not seen one of our veterinarians in the last 6 months or has a problem which a veterinarian needs to address — please schedule as a veterinarian visit.

 

Puppy/Kitten Booster Visits

These are scheduled as veterinarian visits unless specifically authorized by a veterinarian to do as a technician visit. We generally have puppies and kittens examined by our veterinarians every 3-4 weeks until they are at least 16 weeks of age and have completed their core vaccinations.

Visit our Kittens & Cats and Puppies & Dogs pages for more information and resources.

 

Surgical/Dental/Sedated Procedures

Please call our office or email us to schedule.

Telemedicine

We offer virtual consultations. This means you can connect with the same doctors you know and trust, now from the comfort of your home. Read our Telemedicine page to learn what is and is not appropriate for telehealth consults.

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“Just wow. We had an emergency with one of our kittens and called four places and the emergency vet and none could take us.
Clarendon Animal Care was so empathetic and agreed to take us at the end of the day. Every staff member-reception, techs, the vet—were so upbeat and friendly.”

— Emily Butler | Google Review

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