To Prepare For The Initial Consultation

To prepare for the initial consultation, please note the following:

1. Bathing: It is helpful to refrain from giving medicated baths 3 to 7 days before the appointment.

2. Diet: Please write down the brand name of the diet you mainly feed your pet, plus it's first 5 ingredients.
Please write down the names of any cookies, biscuits, chews or human food you regularly feed to your pet.

3. Shampoos & Medications: Please bring along any shampoos or medications that you've used recently.

4. Intradermal Allergy Skin Testing: If you have requested this test to be performed, please do not feed your pet 12 hours prior to the appointment. The allergy test involves giving the patient a mild sedative, shaving off a 7 inch square from the left chest wall and injecting ~60 allergenic extracts intradermally. The test takes 25 to 45 minutes to complete including interpretation. Please understand that this test cannot be performed if the patient has received: long acting cortisone, Depo-Medrol or desensitization/allergy shots within 7 weeks; prednisone, deltasone or cortisone tablets within 3 weeks; antihistamines within 2 weeks; eye, ear or skin drops/cream/ointment containing steroids or antihistamines within 2 weeks. If you are unsure, please ask the dermatologist's assistant.

5. About Our Fees: The fees charged reflect the quality and value of our advanced and specialized medical and diagnostic services. They reflect the degree of expertise required to diagnose and treat your pet successfully. If  you would like to receive estimates for tests & professional procedures, please let our assistants know upon your arrival. Fees are payable when services are provided, in the form of cash, debit/Interac (Richmond location only), or with a major credit card (Visa or Mastercard).

6. Changing Appointments: In consideration of all of our other patients, a minimum of 24 hours notice for appointment changes is required, or you will be billed. Please call during scheduled office hours to change an appointment.

Important Information for Pet Owners  

Medicard is an excellent financial option for clients who find the consults, tests, and treatment fees difficult to manage as a single payment. Medicard offers individualized payment plans that can cover all, or partial costs of veterinary  procedures. More detals on Medicard can be obtained by telephone (toll free) 1-888-689-9876, fax (toll free) 1-888-689-9862, or on their website at www.medicard.com.

If you wish to take advantage of this option please contact our office prior to making an appointment for a consultation.