Suburban Animal Hospital — Basic Information
on Hospital Policy

Admission

All animals, including boarders, are supplied with blankets and towels. These towels and blankets are sterilized in our commercial washer extractor a minimum of four times daily. When you leave your animal in our care, please do not leave leashes, bones, toys, harnesses, cat boxes, blankets, choker chains, etc. All flea and/or tick infested animals will be treated for fleas and/or ticks upon admission at a reasonable charge. A large and well-trained staff, as well as state-of-the-art security and monitoring devices, insure your pets' comfort and safety. No animal will be admitted for hospitalization or boarding whose immunizations are not current. Vaccinations may be administered to your pet upon his/her admittance.

Restraint

Please have your pets under restraint, either on a leash, in your arms, or in a carrier while in the waiting room or the hospital area! Restraint is important for your safety and theirs. Cat carriers are available at a minimal charge.

Veterinary Surgery & Pet Dental Care Drop-offs

All surgery cases must be scheduled. Your pet should not be given food within 12 hours before admission, which should be between 7:00 and 9:00 A.M. on the day of surgery. Water is OK overnight, but take it up first thing in the morning on the day of surgery.

If your pet has been scheduled for surgery, dentistry, radiology or a procedure requiring anesthesia, please inform the receptionist or doctor if he or she has eaten within the past 12 hours. Most surgery and dentistry are performed under general anesthesia between 9:00 A.M. And 2:00 P.M. Animals having dentistry or minor surgical procedures are usually discharged the same day.

Major surgical cases stay overnight or longer to allow for recovery from anesthesia and evaluation of the animal during the post-surgical period. Regardless of the type of surgery performed, you may call AFTER 2:00 P.M. for a progress report on your pet. The doctor will usually have contacted you after the procedure usually prior to 2:00 P.M. unless detained by an emergency. If he or she will be staying the night, call again between 9:30 and 11:00 the following morning to make arrangements for discharge.

We are open until 7:00 P.M. weekdays 5P.M. Saturday and 12:00 P.M. Sundays for pet discharge. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to discuss them with us.

Hospital Releasing

Hospital cases are released only during doctor`s hours or by special permission of the doctor. Often your pet will be extremely excited to see you, this excitement will cause your pet to be thirsty and once home may over drink. It is advisable that you do not give your pet too much water or food at one time upon arriving home. This will help prevent nausea resulting from the excitement.

Fees

We believe that fees charged in this hospital are just and equitable. Your bill will be presented in an itemized form; please feel free to discuss the matter of fees at any time. We appreciate payment for services when rendered.

Hospital charges are based on the following:

• There is an initial examination and consultation fee.
• There is a fee according to size for kennel care when an animal is hospitalized. All facilities are indoors-heated in winter and air conditioned in summer.
• There is a fee for nursing, treatment, and doctor`s supervision. This includes periodic routine physical examinations by the doctor.
• There are customary charges rendered for drugs, laboratory, surgery, medicated baths etc.

The animal hospital must purchase drugs, equipment, and supplies from the same sources that supply the human hospital. Please understand that unlike the human hospitals we are not subsidized by County tax dollars, public grants, tax exemptions, or donation drives. We must be financially responsible to stay in business.