Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are you open weekends? A: We are closed on Saturday and Sunday. However, we are open at 7 am each weekday, and remain open until 8 pm on Tuesday through Thursday evening. We also offer a complimentary day-bed for owners who prefer to drop off their pets with us in the morning and pick them up on their way home in the afternoon or evening. We have found this to be very convenient for our clients, and being open only five days a week permits us to control labor costs and keep our prices competitive.
Q: Do you treat emergencies? A: Yes, we provide emergency services during our normal business hours. Unlike routine treatment, emergencies do not require an appointment, and you should bring your animal directly to the Hospital. If you have time to call in advance or enroute, we will be prepared to begin immediate treatment upon your arrival. Should you have an emergency after our regularly scheduled hours, contact the Inland Valley Emergency Pet Clinic at (909) 981-7371.
Q: Is euthanasia painful? A: No. It is very fast, peaceful, and essentially a form of deep and irreversible anesthesia resulting from an overdose of a sedative drug. The animal first passes smoothly and rapidly into unconsciousness, just as with anesthesia prior to a surgical procedure. The combination of drugs used contains ingredients that then halt brain and heart activity painlessly. Many owners choose to stay with their pets and are unaware when the exact moment of death has occurred---they just know that their pet has relaxed in their arms without a struggle. Far from being a frightening experience, many owners find it a very peaceful conclusion to a difficult decision. The process is quick, humane and one of the greatest acts of kindness we can give our animal friends when their lives become filled with intractable pain and suffering due to disease or illness. Our philosophy regarding the right time for euthanasia may be found on the
Helpful Documents page.
Q: When should I vaccinate my new puppy or kitten? A: It is extremely important that new puppies and kittens receive their initial vaccinations at six weeks of age, or as soon as possible after a new adoption. Oft times, a new owner will be told that their puppy or kitten "has had its shots" by the person where they acquired the animal, but documentation is not provided. Unfortunately, this often means that the animal was not vaccinated properly, or was given an initial vaccine only. One of the most heart-breaking situations is to see a young animal die from infectitious disease, because the "baby shots" did not include adequate protection against the most common and deadly diseases.
New puppies should be vaccinated with the DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus, parvo virus and parainfluenza) vaccine initially at six weeks of age and then boostered every three weeks until they are 14 weeks old. Bordatella vaccinations are given at 12 weeks, with the initial rabies virus vaccination at 16 weeks.
New kittens should receive their first FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia) vaccinations at six weeks of age and then boostered every three weeks until 12 weeks of age. Outdoor cats should also receive the FeLV (feline leukemia virus) vaccine at 9 weeks and the initial rabies vaccine at 16 weeks. While these vaccines are required for outdoor cats, it is often possible for these diseases to enter a home through other pets, such as dogs, or from other access methods, so the full "outdoor" cat vaccinations are highly recommended for indoor cats as well.
Q: Why are your services more expensive than others I called? A: Our prices are very competitive with similar facilities in the area. The problem is in comparing "similar" facilities. When we quote prices, we give you the full price including all associated services required to complete the treatment being quoted. For example, when we quote a puppy spay, our price includes the surgeon's time, anesthesia, pre-anesthetic blood testing, intravenous catheter and fluids, antibiotics, surgical nurse time, monitoring equipment, hospital bed and feed, and post-surgical pain medications. When you call many other facilities, the quote you receive is often for the basic surgical time only---the extra services will be added later as "options" or "other required services" once you're in the door. There are many standards of quality to evaluate and compare when choosing veterinary services. Look at the number of veterinarians available, the number of employees, cleanliness, (does it smell clean and fresh, or a bit too obviously like an animal facility?) the hospital's hours of operation, the appointment system, (is your time valued as much as theirs, or are you kept waiting in line for hours?) and the level of care provided. We offer top-quality care in a top-quality environment, with minimal waiting time and excellent client service.