FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.
We proudly serve the pets of Oakland, ME and beyond.
Do I need to have an appointment?
Yes, patients are seen by appointment. “Walk-ins” are not accommodated. Please note that in some instances, if an appointment is not available when you call, you may be able to drop your pet at the hospital for a few hours and one of the doctors will be able to fit him in as soon as time allows.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, CareCredit, Check, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Visa
Can I make payments?
When credit is needed, we accept CareCredit and other credit cards. Payment is otherwise required at the time of service.
At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?
Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6 months of age. However, recent studies suggest that larger breed dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, may benefit from later neutering at 8 to 12 months, to allow bone growth to be complete. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. Also, a pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.
What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?
This is a blood test that is run here in the clinic prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions, blood counts, and blood sugar status of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.
How long do the sutures stay in after my pet’s surgery?
Procedures involving sutures require them to be removed in 7 – 14 days following the surgery. The majority of routine surgeries have absorbable sutures which are buried and do not need to be removed.
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; in fact, there are many disadvantages, such as pregnancy risks and complications during delivery. However, there are plenty of advantages to having your pet spayed or neutered. There are always too many unwanted pets in North America that end up in shelters, on the streets, or worse. Advantages of neutering and spaying include decreasing the chances of breast tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood and be injured by vehicles, decreasing the incidence of some cancers later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreasing the burden on shelters.