Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions that aren’t covered here, please feel free to give us a call at (209)895-7387.

What are the hospital hours?

Apricot is open Monday to Friday 9-6, and Saturday 10-5.  We are closed Sunday.

Do I need to have an appointment?

Yes, preferably with an appointment so that we can assure that you will have a doctor to be able to assist you and that can be attentive to your needs throughout your appointment. If an emergency arises during business hours, an appointment is not necessary; emergencies do come before scheduled appointments.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, CareCredit, Checks and Cash. To apply for our CareCredit six month no interest plan, please speak to one of our receptionists today!

Can I make payments?

Full payment is required at time of services. We do offer payment plans through our financial partner CareCredit for those who are approved.

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

Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 4-6 months of age. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery which helps to determine if you pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Also a pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery.

What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?

It is a blood test that is run here in the clinic prior to surgery. It tests the organ function, 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.

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 your pet spayed or neutered. These advantages include decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, uterine infections in females and also decrease the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens.