FAQs  Frequently Ask Questions

Why can’t you advise me over the phone when I am not sure if I have a true emergency with my pet?

• Calling and looking for reassurance or direction when you have a concern about your pet’s health is understandable and usually the first step to seeking treatment. No one wants to make an unscheduled trip to an emergency room, especially if you are not sure the trip is necessary. Indiana law, however, requires a, “Doctor/patient relationship” before a veterinarian or technician can advise on medical issues. This law is in place for a very good reason! 
  
  
• Advising you over the phone is more of a disservice than a help. There are countless variables in the way pets exhibit symptoms, react to medications, and respond to trauma or disease. Recommendations, sight unseen, could result in an even worse situation. Not only is a phone consult inefficient, it is dangerous!
  
  
• We understand the dilemma you face, but if you call for advice, we will advise you to bring your pet in. It is the only way to responsibly, and legally, assist you.
  

How much will this cost me?

• We understand how important it is for you to budget for your pet's care, however, because each patient we see is unique, it can be misleading to give an estimate before your pet is seen.
  
  
• When you come in for the first time you are committing to an Initial Exam & Consultation that can run from $100 to $130.
  
  
• Once our veterinarian has reviewed your pet's history and completed a thorough examination, he/she will discuss the findings with you, and then make recommendations for diagnostics and possible treatment options.
  
  
• A trained veterinary technician or assistant will prepare a detailed estimate for the recommended diagnostics and review it with you, taking what ever time you need to have your questions and concerns addressed.
  
  
• We believe communication and understanding are a critical part of the process and you are never bound to the recommendations we make.
  
  
• If you choose to proceed, we will honor that estimate. If your pet's condition changes and adjustments in the treatment plan need to be made, we will always seek your consent before going forward.

Do you take payments?

• Diagnostics and treatments in veterinary medicine are often the same as in human hospitals. With the absence of medical insurance coverage for most pets, it is essential that we keep costs as low as possible and still provide the best medical care. This prohibits us from financing treatments in-house.
  
  
• If cash, check, or a credit card payment is not possible, we also offer Care Credit. This is a popular option for many pet owners and allows you to seek the needed treatment and make payments over a designated time without interest. 
  
  
• There are several national organizations that may be able to assist pet owners suffering a financial hardship. Their information is referenced on our Helpful Numbers & Websites page.

Is Pet Insurance a worthy investment?

• Having witnessed the tragedy of a sick or injured pet many times over, we strongly encourage owners to purchase pet health insurance before their pet needs medical attention. There are several to choose from and if approached properly can help tremendously with the cost of care during and after a medical crisis. Below are some tips to help find a plan you are happy with.

• Take the time to "shop around" and ask a lot of questions. 

• Don’t get sold on "wellness plans" – wellness care is important but predictable - you may end up paying as much in wellness premiums as you already pay for wellness care! 

• Focus your premium dollars to get the most for unplanned illnesses and injuries – this should be your motivation for coverage

• Watch for terms like, "eligible" – research what is and is not eligible

• Some plans have a “Schedule of Benefits” that put a standardized “cap” on a procedure or surgery – know what they are 

• Some plans may consider an illness or injury “pre-existing” after the first year of coverage – ask if "coverage continues after a benefit year" 

• Some plans may raise your premium when you make a claim – ask how "premiums are increased with each benefit year"

• Some plans may not cover certain illnesses or injuries in certain breeds – read all exclusions carefully

• Some plans may not cover what they consider "alternative" treatments, like acupuncture or physical rehabilitation – ask if these are covered  

• All plans have a "waiting period" before they begin covering your pet – know for what and how long  

• The older your pet gets, the more limited choices you have to begin coverage – this is not true for continued coverage 

• Premiums usually begin at $6.00 to $8.00 monthly and go up according to species and breed – younger animals are the least expensive to cover 

• Plans do not pay your veterinarian directly. Most are designed for you to pay your veterinarian and submit your claim to the company – ask what the average reimbursement time is for a claim 

• Our Helpful Numbers and Websites page will give you a couple of websites to help in your search. 

• Pet insurance can literally be a life saver, is reasonably priced, and can ease a great burden if a tragedy happens. There are many plans out there so it is very important that you know what your premium is paying for. A little solid research is well worth the time and may prevent surprises or disappointment when you least expect it. 

Do you take American Express?

• American Express uses a different processing system. Because the majority of our clients prefer to use Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, we have found those cards as the most efficient way to serve our client’s needs. 

Do you have any evening appointments?

• Because of the unique detail involved with specialty medicine, most of our services are best provided during normal business hours. Our Dermatology department, however, has set aside evening appointments on Tuesday for those clients who face challenges getting here during normal business hours. Dermatology also sees patients two Saturdays a month.


• Our Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do I have to have a referral from my regular vet?

• We will never turn away a client seeking medical treatment for their pet, but we do encourage you to speak with your family veterinarian.   Communication between all parties is the best recipe for success. 
  
  
• We will send your chosen family veterinarian updates on your pet’s condition and progress.  They need to stay informed so they, too, can provide the best care.
  
  
• If you do not currently have a veterinarian, we have provided tips on Finding a Family Veterinarian in the Pet Owners section of our site.  There is also a list of hospitals, sorted by Zip Code, that have referred patients to us within the last year.

Why can’t  I bathe/groom my pet  two weeks prior to my first dermatology appointment?

• We don’t want you to wash/groom anything away that could be “a piece of the puzzle” when diagnosing your pet.  It could be the slightest appearance or odor that gives our doctor a clue!
  
  
• If your pet is extremely uncomfortable, call your family veterinarian for help in providing some relief. 
  
  
• If you and your family veterinarian are concerned that your pet cannot wait, we will work to get you in as soon as possible.

Can I get a skin test done at my first dermatology appointment?

• Although it has been done before, it is not common for a pet to have an intra-dermal skin test during their first visit.
  
  
• Until a thorough exam and a detailed history can be gathered, skin testing is usually not considered as a first option. 
  
  
• When you are scheduling your appointment, let us know of your wishes.  With communication from your family veterinarian and the right set of circumstances, we will make every effort to accommodate your requests.  Keep in mind, however, that we make recommendations based on what will provide the most accurate results and beneficial outcome for your pet. 

Are you going to redo the tests my family veterinarian has already done?

• We avoid duplicating tests whenever possible, but it is not uncommon in the health industry, both human and pet, to repeat lab work on a patient with suspected diseases. 
  
  
• Many tests become obsolete in a very short time, and some can become skewed or influenced by uncontrolled sources, leaving the results inconclusive. 
  
  
• Some tests may seem the same but contain additional information that our doctor may deem important in working toward a diagnosis.
  
  
• We have found that good communication between your family veterinarian, our specialists, and you have helped to avoid unnecessary duplication and possible misunderstanding.
  
  
• If our doctor suspects your pet will need additional lab work, we will include it in your estimate and explain why it is recommended. 

Will the dentist do a procedure the same day as my first visit?

• Depending on the circumstances surrounding your pet’s history and the examination itself, our doctor will make a recommendation as to when it is best proceed to treatment.
  
  
• When ever possible, we try to minimize the number of visits needed, however, to achieve the best outcome for your pet, the doctor may recommend delaying treatment until a later date.
  
  
• When you are scheduling your appointment, let us know your wishes and we will work together to make your trip as convenient and efficient as possible. 

Can my family veterinarian do the rechecks so I don’t have to make another trip to your clinic?

• Experience has shown us that your pet has the best chance at long term success if it is monitored by the veterinarian who is treating. 
  
  
• Until your pet has either been cleared by our specialist or is well on the road to recovery, it is recommended that all rechecks be done in our office. 
  
  
• If you live several hours away, we can work closely with your family veterinarian to try and limit the number of visits; however, you should be prepared to return, at some point, for a follow up. 

Can you spay/neuter or give my pet vaccines?

• General practices, or family veterinarians, "specialize" in the life long needs of your pet, including their preventative care like vaccinations and neutering. We specialize in Dermatology, Dentistry, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Physical Rehabilitation, Emergency and Critical Care. and Surgery.
  
  
• It is very important to have a good relationship with a family veterinarian because they are the ones who will guide you in caring for your pet over the years.
  
  
• If you do not currently have a veterinarian, we encourage you to and have provided tips on Finding a Family Veterinarian in the Pet Owners We have also provided a list of general practices who frequently work with us. These can be sorted by name, city, or Zip Code.