So are we. Especially in these tough economic times we know many of our clients have decided to simply pass on routine veterinary care or decline some recommended services all together. We also know that some of our clients have decided to go elsewhere for veterinary services due to their perceived high cost of care. Nationally, we have seen a decline in visits over the past few years. This means that many pets have not received the preventive care we so strongly believe in and so we have not been able to detect health problems in the early stages resulting in "crisis health care" when the pet comes in sick.
We recognize the need to adapt to this economy and changing attitudes on the part of pet owners. We have lowered some of our prices and have bundled some medical services at a discount rate.
We are also announcing a new idea:
Preventive Care Plans
As guardians of the health and well being of our pets, we have a responsibility as veterinarians to protect your pets from preventable disease. Considering the challenging economic times we live in and the continued amazing advances in veterinary medicine we are pleased to offer our clients these health care options so you can choose the level of care based on a balance of affordability and quality of medical care.This will help us to understand your needs as a pet owner and allow us to offer a level of care based on those needs.
We are the only AAHA* accredited hospital in Sonoma Valley, and we are among a select group of 15% of veterinary hospitals in the United States with that distinction. This accreditation requires that we comply with more than 900 AAHA standards of care.
When your pet comes to us for routine wellness care our doctors will recommend a healthcare plan based on their thorough examination and findings and on the AAHA-AVMA Preventive Healthcare Guidelines. You also have the option of choosing one of our optional healthcare plans based on your needs and expectations.
When your pet comes to us sick or injured our doctors will perform a thorough physical exam and may, based on what they find, recommend a series of tests to help diagnose, treat and give a prognosis for your pet. This may include a blood panel, a urinalysis, x-rays, ultrasound and additional blood tests. Surgery may also be needed. At any time in this process we encourage you to inform us of the level of care you expect and if you have any reservations about what the doctor is recommending.
AAHA Preventive Care Plan Preventive Care Exam twice a year
- Dental assessment and recommendations
- Vaccinations or vaccine titers
- Heartworm/Infectious Disease test once a year
- Internal parasite test twice a year (fecal sample)
- Year-round broad spectrum parasite control
- Early disease screening test twice a year (blood panel)
- Urine test twice a year
- Senior pets:
- X-rays as indicated
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Blood pressure twice a year
- Preventive Care Exam twice a year
- Vaccinations as they come due
- Heartworm/Infectious Disease test once a year
- Internal parasite test twice a year
- Early disease screening test once a year
- Urine sample once a year
- Dental assessment and recommendations
- Year-round broad spectrum parasite control
Basic Care Plan
- Preventive Care Exam once a year
- Vaccinations as they come due
- Heartworm/Infectious Disease test
- Internal parasite test once a year
- Dental assessment and recommendations
- Year-round broad spectrum parasite control
Each plan includes:
- Nutritional assessment and recommendations
- Lifestyle and life stage assessment and recommendation
- Behavioral assessment and recommendations
- Environmental enrichment
- Reproductive and genetic counseling
- Appropriate identification including microchipping
Any of our health care team - doctors, nurses or receptionists will be happy to discuss these health care options with you and set up a health care plan for your pet.
* American Animal Hospital Association
One of the ways you can help is to buy a raffle ticket for our Pet Basket Plus. The tickets are available at the clinic and sell for only $5. The drawing will be held on August 4 at the Relay for Life event to be held at the Sonoma Valley High School track. 