FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• How safe is my pet’s procedure?

  We only recommend those surgical procedures that are in the best interest of your pet, with an end goal of supporting and prolonging the wonderful bond you share with them. Although there will always be a minimal amount of risk associated with anesthetizing your pet, we take every precaution available to ensure that those risks are minimized, including most of the same fail-safe measures that your physician would provide if you were placed under anesthesia.

  The specific things we do at All Pets to minimize risk and ensure your pet’s safety include:

  • 1) All patients are thoroughly examined prior to any procedure
  • 2) Preanesthetic bloodwork is required to ensure that no pre-existing condition is present
  • 3) Intravenous catheter placement is required to enable administration of any required life-saving peri-operative medications
  • 4) Endotracheal intubation is required for the duration of the anesthetic event
  • 5) Blood pressure, temperature, cardiac rate, cardiac rhythm (EKG), respiratory rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and oxygen saturation are all monitored throughout the procedure
  • 6) Body temperature support (“Bair Hugger” warmed air blankets) is provided

  All patients are closely monitored by our highly trained technicians during the recovery process, ensuring that your pet receives only the most compassionate and proficient care possible. The behind the scenes care and technologies employed to ensure your pet’s safety are just one of the many factors that differentiate the quality in care that we provide.

• How often should my pet have an exam and blood work?

  We believe that the best way to prolong the relationship you share with your pet is to identify disease processes early and prevent the progression of chronic illness, before it becomes a problem. To ensure that we identify health issues early, we recommend an examination by your veterinarian every 12 months for healthy pets under the age of 7 and every 6 months for healthy senior patients. Those pets with chronic disease or mobility issues may require examination on a much more frequent basis.

  Bloodwork is a wonderful way to identify disease processes early and prevent the progression of chronic disease. We recommend annual bloodwork to provide a baseline for our veterinarians to identify trends and specific areas to focus on in an effort to prolong the duration and quality of life of our patients.

  Our wellness bloodwork panels, which include a serum chemistry (to evaluate organ and systemic function), complete blood count (to evaluate red and white blood cell counts), urinalysis, and thyroid testing, are heavily discounted to make these critically important services available to a greater proportion of our clients.

• Why does my pet need a dental procedure?

  Periodontal disease is one of the most insidious, expensive and frequently noted problems that we deal with. Although dogs are very stoic about pain in most cases, periodontal infections, tooth fractures, and oral masses are common and preventable sources of major discomfort for your pet.

  In addition, periodontal infections are common causes of systemic disease, including a potential cause of elevated liver values, cardiac valvular disease, and recurrent urinary and kidney infections.

  In the same way that human preventive dentistry has made it possible for us to have healthy smiles long into our senior years, preventative veterinary dentistry is now able to identify, diagnose and prevent progression of periodontal disease. Much in the same way that annual oral exams and cleanings, coupled with at home preventative care, helps to prevent disease in our own mouths, preventative care for our pets can achieve similar goals as well as save money by preventing the need for oral surgery, extractions, and other costly last resort procedures.

• How long should I wait to bring my pet in if I notice a change in behavior?

  In most cases, if the person that knows the pet the best (YOU) is worried, so are we!

  Feel free to call us anytime with questions or concerns at 828-645-5252. Our skilled and professional staff is more than happy to help you determine whether your pet requires an office visit or emergency care.

  If you believe that your pet requires emergency care, please call us immediately and pursue emergency help by proceeding to or calling the Regional Emergency Animal Care Hospital (R.E.A.C.H.) at (828) 645-4399.

• What should I do if I notice visible parasites on my pet?

  Give us a call and set up a consultation with one of our veterinarians. We offer comprehensive parasite control programs that will keep the bugs and worms off your loved ones.

• What if my pet has an after hours problem?

  Please call R.E.A.C.H. at (828) 645-4399 for after-hours emergencies. Please call and leave a message on our voicemail 828-645-5252 to let us know that you are on your way to the emergency hospital so that we can be sure to follow up with the emergency veterinarian that saw your pet.

• At what age should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

  There are several factors that play into this decision. We would love to sit down and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of spay and neuter at various ages.

• What are heartworms, and how can I prevent my pet from getting them?

  Heartworms are a serious, year-round parasitic threat to your pet’s health. After an infection occurs, treatment is not only very expensive, but can also be life threatening. There are several options available for prevention of this potentially life threatening disease. Feel free to discuss your concerns with our veterinarians during your next office visit. Additional information is available at https://www.heartwormsociety.org/.

• What financing options do you offer (ex. Care Credit), or is payment expected at the time services are provided?

  We do require payment at the time of services; however, the following are a few links to companies that offer credit possibilities designed to help when medical emergencies arise for your pets.
  Scratchpay.com
  Carecredit.com/.