Garrettsville Animal Hospital / FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions/answers that we are frequently asked. If you have additional questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to give us a call at Garrettsville Animal Hospital.

1. What are the Hospital hours?

Our hospital is open Monday and Thursday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Tuesday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Friday 8:30 to 4:00 pm. On Saturdays we are open from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm. The clinic is closed on Wednesday and Sunday.

2. Do I need to have an appointment?

Yes, patients are seen by appointment.

3. What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, Check, Mastercard and Visa and Care Credit.

4. Can I make payments?

Payment is required at the time of service.

5. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?

Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6 months of age. 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 required prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.

6. 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 clotting function of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.

7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?

Procedures involving sutures require them to be removed in 14 days following the surgery.

8. 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. However there are plenty of advantages to having you pet spayed or neutered. These advantages 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, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens.

9. How do I choose a veterinarian?

You need to be able to trust the veterinarian of your choice, for many people, location and referrals decide which clinic they go to. While location is definitely important, be sure to choose someone you feel comfortable with. It may be worth your while to visit a clinic first and ask the receptionist about the clinic's services. Ask if you can tour the facility.

10. Why do veterinarians cost so much?

The price you pay for veterinary services reflects the cost of the service performed. Costs of services are based on the cost of many things. It is not just the cost for the veterinarians time. Each procedure must help pay for it's share of the overhead of the business (rent or lease of the building, utilities, maintenance, office supplies, veterinarians time, receptionists time, technicians time, assistants time, cost of materials, cost of equipment, continuing educations for the entire veterinary team, and many other necessary cost of running a business).

Contrary to popular belief, there are no subsidies received from government, charities or other businesses or individuals to offset the cost faced by the business. private veterinary clinics pay taxes on all income.

When shopping around for prices, bear in mind the following:

You get what you pay for so be sure to compare "apples with apples". The cost of a service reflects the costs born by the establishment and what is done for that service. At Garrettsville Animal Hospital, we do not cut corners in the care of our patients. If we did, we believe it would compromise the quality of our care and we will not do that.

What is done for a physical exam? Ask what the veterinarian does for a physical exam so that you know. You also need to know what other services are included in the care of your pet. Does the clinic you are shopping reminders for rechecks and vaccine boosters. These are important for your pet's continued well being. As our pets age much faster than we do, they need to be seen more frequently than humans do.

11. Who should I go to for advise regarding my pet?

Veterinarians are the best source of information regarding pet health issues. They have a minimum of 8 years of university education. They are also required to take continuing education classes in order to maintain their license. Veterinarians have to offer clients reliable information that is backed up by medical research and by their peers.