Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to make pet care simple, comfortable, and stress-free. Whether you’re visiting us for the first time or you’ve been part of our veterinary family for years, we’re always happy to answer your questions.
Below are some of the questions we hear most often.
Have a question we didn’t answer? Give our friendly team a call at (209) 895-7387. We’re happy to help!
Appointments & Visits
What are the hospital hours?
Apricot Veterinary Hospital is open:
- Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Do I need an appointment?
Appointments are preferred. Scheduling ahead allows us to make sure a veterinarian and our team are available to give your pet the time and attention they deserve.
If your pet is experiencing an emergency during our regular business hours, please call us right away or come in as soon as possible. Emergency cases may need to be prioritized over scheduled appointments.
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes! We’re always happy to welcome new pets and their families to Apricot Veterinary Hospital.
We look forward to getting to know you and your pet and becoming a trusted part of their healthcare team.
How should I bring my pet to their appointment?
A little safety reminder before your visit! For the safety and comfort of all our patients, clients, and team members, we ask that every pet arrive safely secured.
- Dogs: Please arrive on a secure leash or in an appropriate pet carrier.
- Cats: Please arrive in a secure pet carrier.
Even friendly pets can become nervous or unpredictable in a veterinary environment. Keeping pets safely restrained helps prevent escapes, unexpected interactions, and injuries while you are in or around the hospital.
Thank you for helping us keep every pet safe and comfortable from the moment they arrive!
What should I bring to my pet’s first appointment?
If available, please bring:
- Your pet’s previous medical records
- Current vaccination records
- A list of medications and supplements your pet is taking
- Any relevant medical history
- A list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss
If your pet has records from another veterinary hospital, you can also ask that hospital to send them to us before your appointment.
What should I expect at my pet’s first visit?
Your pet’s first visit is all about getting to know them!
Our veterinary team will review your pet’s history, discuss your concerns, and perform a thorough physical examination. Depending on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and needs, your veterinarian may also recommend vaccinations, diagnostic testing, parasite prevention, dental care, or other preventive services.
We’ll take the time to explain our recommendations and answer your questions so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.
Payments & Financing
What forms of payment do you accept?
For your convenience, we accept:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Discover
- American Express
- CareCredit
- Cash
- Apple Pay
For credit and debit card payments, the cardholder must be present at the time of the visit and present a valid government-issued photo ID at the time of payment. The name on the identification must match the cardholder information.
This helps us protect our clients and their financial information while keeping your pet’s visit secure.
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment is due in full at the time services are provided.
We offer financing through CareCredit for clients who qualify. Our team can provide information about available financing options and help guide you through the application process.
Please note that CareCredit approval and promotional financing terms are determined by CareCredit and are subject to their terms and conditions.
Surgery & Anesthesia
When should my pet be spayed or neutered?
Spaying and neutering are important parts of preventive care and can provide both health and behavioral benefits.
Many pets may be spayed or neutered around 4–6 months of age, although the ideal timing can vary based on your pet’s breed, size, health, and individual needs.
Before surgery, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination to make sure your pet is an appropriate candidate for anesthesia and surgery. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is also recommended to help evaluate your pet’s health before anesthesia.
Your pet must be current on required vaccinations at the time of surgery.
Should I let my pet have one litter before spaying?
No. There is no medical benefit to allowing your pet to have a litter before being spayed.
Spaying and neutering can provide important health and behavioral benefits while also helping reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens.
Depending on your pet, spaying or neutering may help:
- Prevent unwanted litters
- Reduce roaming and mating behaviors
- Prevent uterine infections in females
- Reduce urine marking and spraying
- Provide other long-term health benefits
Your veterinarian can help determine the best timing for your individual pet.
What is pre-anesthetic bloodwork?
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is performed before anesthesia and surgery to help evaluate your pet’s overall health.
Depending on the testing performed, bloodwork may evaluate:
- Red and white blood cell counts
- Organ function
- Blood clotting ability
This information can help identify health concerns that may affect anesthesia or surgery and allows our veterinary team to develop the safest plan possible for your pet.
Is anesthesia safe for my pet?
Modern anesthesia is generally very safe, but every anesthetic procedure carries some level of risk.
Before anesthesia, your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s health and discuss appropriate recommendations, including pre-anesthetic bloodwork when indicated.
During the procedure, our veterinary team closely monitors your pet to help keep them as safe and comfortable as possible.
Vaccinations & Preventive Care
How often does my pet need vaccinations?
Vaccination schedules depend on your pet’s age, lifestyle, previous vaccination history, and risk of exposure.
Your veterinarian will create a vaccination plan based on your pet’s individual needs and will let you know when boosters are due.
Does my pet need to be vaccinated to visit the hospital?
Yes. Our hospital require all patients to have a current Rabies vaccines. Keeping pets appropriately vaccinated helps protect your pet, other patients, and our veterinary team.
Some services, including surgery, may require pets to be current on specific vaccinations. Our team can let you know which vaccines are required for your pet’s appointment.
Does my pet need parasite prevention?
Parasites such as fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites can affect pets throughout the year.
Even pets that spend most of their time indoors can be exposed. Your veterinarian can recommend a parasite-prevention plan based on your pet’s lifestyle, age, and risk factors.
Dental Care
Does my pet really need dental care?
Yes! Dental health is an important part of your pet’s overall health.
Dental disease can cause bad breath, painful gums, loose or damaged teeth, and infection. Regular dental examinations allow us to identify problems early and recommend appropriate care.
How often should my pet have a dental cleaning?
The frequency of professional dental cleanings depends on your pet’s age, breed, dental health, and individual needs.
Your veterinarian will examine your pet’s teeth and gums and recommend a dental-care plan that is right for them.
Emergencies & Urgent Care
What should I do if my pet is having an emergency?
If your pet is experiencing a serious or potentially life-threatening problem during our business hours, call us immediately or come to the hospital as soon as possible.
Examples include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe bleeding
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Suspected poisoning
- Severe injury or trauma
- Inability to urinate
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Ingestion of a potentially dangerous object or substance
If you are unsure whether your pet’s condition is an emergency, please call us. Our team can help determine the appropriate next step.
Do you see emergencies without an appointment?
Emergency cases may be seen during regular business hours without a scheduled appointment. Please call ahead whenever possible so our team can prepare for your arrival.
Emergency cases may be prioritized over scheduled appointments based on medical urgency.
Medications & Prescriptions
Can I request a prescription refill?
Yes. Please contact our team 1 week before your pet runs out of medication.
Some medications may require your veterinarian to examine your pet before a refill can be approved. Refill requests may also require additional time to process.
Can my pet take human medications?
Never give your pet human medication unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so.
Some medications that are safe for people can be dangerous or even life-threatening to pets.
If your pet accidentally ingests medication, please contact poisen control immediately.
Records & Communication
Can you get my pet’s records from another veterinary hospital?
Yes. With your authorization, we can request your pet’s medical records from their previous veterinary hospital.
Providing previous records helps our team better understand your pet’s medical history and provide more informed care.
How will I know when my pet is due for vaccines or preventive care?
We provide reminders to help keep your pet’s healthcare on track.
You may receive reminders for vaccinations, examinations, laboratory testing, dental care, parasite prevention, and other recommended services.
Caring for Your Pet at Home
How often should my pet have a wellness exam?
Regular wellness examinations help your veterinarian detect potential health concerns early, even when your pet appears healthy.
The recommended frequency depends on your pet’s age, health, and individual needs. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets with ongoing medical conditions may need more frequent visits. We always recommend annual exams to be done on every patient.
Why should my pet have regular wellness exams if they seem healthy?
Pets are very good at hiding signs of illness.
A wellness examination gives your veterinarian an opportunity to monitor your pet’s health, establish a baseline, identify subtle changes, and discuss preventive care before problems become more serious.
We’re Here for You & Your Pet
Your pet is more than a patient they’re family.
At Apricot Veterinary Hospital, our goal is to provide compassionate, professional care while making sure you feel informed and comfortable every step of the way.
Have a question? We’re here to help.
Apricot Veterinary Hospital
(209) 895-7387