What to Expect at a Veterinary Appointment
Knowing the process of what will occur at your first appointment can help make the experience easier for both you and your pet.
Get Settled
Please show up to your appointment at least 10 minutes early to fill out our New Patient Form. If you would like to save time you can complete the New Patient Form prior to your arrival online.
Meet Your Veterinarian
One of our staff members will go over your pet's history and discuss their condition. You can ask any questions that you have, and we will designate time to answer them.
Examination, Diagnosis & Treatment
After we've examined your pet, your vet will give you a diagnosis and treatment options. Your veterinarian will work with you to select the best treatment plan possible.
Following your visit, we'll develop an in-depth report of our diagnosis, the discussion we had with you, and your pet's treatment plan. We'll keep this information on hand for when you need it.
Our Pet Care Philosophy
We are happy to serve pet owners in Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas. Our team is driven to provide you and your pet with advanced veterinary service with compassion and understanding.
Every member of our team has a passion for preventative care, client education, and providing comprehensive urgent care to cats, dogs, and exotic pets.
Hospital FAQs
Learn more about our office policies, payment options, and appointment scheduling process by reading our hospital FAQs.
- What types of payment options are available?
We expect all payments to be made in full at the time we provide our services or upon the discharge of your pet. We accept payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
- Are there payment plans available for my pet’s care?
We are pleased to offer you CareCredit as a financing option. They provide you with an easy application process that will give you results in minutes.
- Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?
We will give you an estimate in good faith for the cost of our services before treating your pet. But, unforeseen circumstances may arise that could impact your final bill.
We'll always explain our written estimate to our clients before they leave our facility, and will also require a deposit based on our estimate before any further treatment can be given to your pet.
- Should I call ahead to book an appointment?
Yes, please call us in advance to schedule an appointment to make sure that we have space for your pet in our schedule.
If your pet requires same-day urgent care during our normal business hours, please call us immediately.
- What is your appointment cancellation policy?
If you must reschedule or cancel your appointment, please let us know as soon as you can so we may offer the slot in our schedule to other clients.
- What types of animals do you treat?
We are able to provide care for small domestic pets such as cats and dogs, and exotic pets such as birds, rabbits, reptiles, and rodents.
- Where can I purchase my pet's prescription and food?
You can purchase all of your pet's medications and specialty food either at our online store or our in-house pharmacy.
- What are the fees associated with a same-day urgent care visit?
You will need to pay a deposit for all same-day urgent care and emergency examinations. After the staff and doctors have examined your pet, you will be given an estimate for treatment to help you determine a treatment plan.
If further hospitalization, diagnostics, or surgery is needed, an upfront deposit will be required, with payment due in full when your pet is discharged.
- Can you help with my pet insurance?
We'll be happy to help you complete the pet insurance forms for your animal companion's visit.
Pet Owner Resources
Below are a few helpful links for your pet's health.