Frequently Asked Questions
After-Hours or Weekend Emergencies
We accommodate emergency appointments during normal business hours. For after-hours emergencies, call or take your pet directly to:
Appointment Policies
We see pets on an appointment schedule. Our appointment schedule is set-up to accommodate sick patients that need to be seen within in a day or two. Life-threatening emergencies take top priority and we ask for your patience as we treat these patients. We strive to stay on-time so everyone is happy.
Please bring your pet's previous medical records to your first appointment. This includes vaccination dates and any previous lab work. You can either bring a paper copy or ask your previous veterinarian's office, rescue organization or breeder to fax or email them to us.
Cats:
Please arrive with your cat in a travel carrier. Cats are much more comfortable when contained in a small hard or soft-sided cat carrier. Our waiting room has ample room to separate cats from dogs. Our goal is to escort cat owners into an exam room as soon as possible in order to avoid potentially stressful contact with dogs, other cats, or new people. Cat carriers with a top-loading door are the best as they allow us to retrieve your cat in the least-threatening way. Sometimes we will do a physical exam while your cat is still in his or her soft bed or in the bottom section of the cat carrier. We want to do everything we can to reduce stress to you and your kitty. If you need guidance on how to get your cat into a carrier, don't hesitate to call us for advice. More helpful information for transporting your cat to the veterinarian has been published by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
Dogs:
It is essential that your dog is on a leash when visiting our hospital. We are located on a busy road and our parking lot is active with car traffic. Inside our waiting room, your dog must remain on a leash until taken into the exam room. Even if your dog is a good listener and is great with other dogs, some other dogs are very frightened at the veterinarian and may act unpredictably.
Payment Policies
Payment is expected at the time of service. We accept personal checks, cash, major credit cards, and pet health insurance.
We recommend all pets be covered by pet health insurance. Pet insurance has become more prevalent and, while it doesn’t cover all your veterinary expenses, can be helpful should your pet have an unexpected injury or illness. Every company is different; it’s a good idea to visit this pet insurance review to compare policies and find the one best suited for you and your pet.
Return Policy
Medication and other products that have left our facility cannot be returned. However, opened bags of dog and cat food may be returned or exchanged because they are guaranteed by the manufacturer.
Prescription Policy
Prescription Refills. Please give us as much notice as possible when refills are needed. We advise at least 24 hours notice, if less notice is given we cannot gaurantee your prescription will be fill that same day.
At Greentree Animal Hospital, we understand that there may be times in which your pet’s medications may be obtained from alternative sources other than our hospital. We do not recommend purchasing your pet’s medications from unknown online pharmacies. Please talk with us first before purchasing your pet’s medications from another source. You will find our in-house pharmacy prices are very competitive with online pharmacies. Please be aware that you pet is required by law to be examined at least once in the past year to continue to refill medications.
When is the best time to spay or neuter my pet?
We recommend spaying or neutering every pet, and we recommend spaying or neutering your non-breeding pet around 6 months. This recommendation may vary based on each individual pet. Please schedule an appointment to discuss spaying or neutering your pet with one of our veterinarians.
Vaccines
Vaccines are an important part of your pet’s health care. Vaccines keep your pet healthy and prevent serious diseases. Our veterinarians will make sure your pet avoids these serious diseases through a vaccination schedule based on your pet’s lifestyle, health, exposure to other animals in kennels and urban dog parks, your pet’s risk of preventable diseases and other individual circumstances.
How often does my pet need a Rabies vaccination?
The first Rabies shot your pet receives is good for 1 year. Subsequent canine Rabies vaccinations immunize your pet for 1- 3 years depending upon the vaccine your dog receives. Dogs are required by State Law to be vaccinated against Rabies. For cats, we use feline-exclusive rabies vaccines which are good for 1 year.
Parasite Prevention
we recommend that animals be on a parasite prevention plan. Parasites cause disease in animals and some can be spread to humans so it is important to keep you pet and family safe. Parasites are both topical (fleas, ticks, lice, mites) and internal (roundworms, hookworms, heartworms etc). Because internal and external parasites are present in the Puget Sound area all year long we recommend 12 month prevention with either Revolution or Sentinel for your pet. Please talk to our staff members and veterinarians for more information.
How can I prevent fleas?
It is important to prevent fleas. We recommend all dogs and cats be given a monthly flea preventive from April through December. Not only are they uncomfortable for your pet, fleas are also carriers of disease, such as tapeworms. There are many medications for the treatment and prevention of fleas. Some medications are in a combined form with the monthly heartworm medication. Not only is this convenient, but it reduces the cost of two medications!
Why does my pet need a dental cleaning and how often should this be done?
Many of the pets that visit us on a regular basis need professional teeth cleaning. When bacteria irritate the gum line, the gums become inflamed in the early stages of dental disease causing gingivitis. Left untreated, this leads to periodontal disease which causes the loss of the bone and gingival support structure of the tooth and subsequent tooth loss. In addition, the bacteria are consistently released into the blood stream allowing for systemic infections, which can cause damage to internal organs, such as the kidneys, liver and heart. A dental exam is a part of any physical exam at Greentree Animal Hospital.
Do I need to brush my pet’s teeth at home?
Yes. Proper dental care at home is highly recommended to help maintain the oral health of your dog and cat. Home dental care for companion animals should start early, even before the adult teeth erupt. It is best if owners brush their dogs and cats teeth frequently. Although tooth brushing is the best method of preventing plaque, calculus, and bacterial build-up, there are many options for dental home care. Other oral home care options such as dental formulated foods, water additives, and dental treats can be considered and discussed with one of our veterinarians.
Why does my pet need to be admitted several hours before a surgical procedure?
In preparation for the procedure, your pet will receive:
- Pre-anesthetic exam
- Pre-medication to easy anxiety and to smooth induction of anesthesia
- Placement of an intravenous catheter to deliver medications and fluids that support blood pressure and organ function during anesthesia
- In addition to the above it gives your pet a chance to acclimate to the hospital environment to make the situation less stressful
What should I bring for my pet's hospital stay?
If your pet is on a special diet or on any medications, you should bring these with you to the hospital.
Are there any special at-home care instructions for my dog or cat before undergoing surgery?
Please do not feed your pet after 10:00 p.m. the evening before a scheduled procedure. There is no restriction on drinking water that evening, but the water bowl should be removed first thing the morning (6:00 a.m.) on the day of the procedure. Plan to arrive at the office at the appointed time and allow 15-30 minutes for check-in procedures.
Is anesthesia safe for my pet?
At Greentree Animal Hospital we take all anesthetic cases very seriously. During each procedure we have a staff member specifically dedicated to anesthesia monitoring. We utilize the safest, multi-modal approach that is individually created for each dog or cat. It includes injectable medications for sedation and pain management as well as gas anesthetic agents. The combination of pre-anesthetic assessment of your pet (including blood work), use of modern anesthetic agents, and the latest anesthetic monitoring equipment means that anesthesia is generally considered to be a very low risk for your pet.
When we place your dog or cat safely under general anesthesia, a breathing tube is inserted into the trachea (windpipe) to administer oxygen mixed with the anesthetic gas. As with people, an intravenous catheter is placed into your pet’s leg to infuse with fluids during the procedure. Once the procedure is completed and the anesthetic is turned off, oxygen is continued to be delivered to your pet until your pet wakes up and the tube is removed.
We closely monitor your pet during the procedure and the recovery process using advanced monitoring equipment. Parameters often monitored include oxygen concentration in the blood stream (pulse oximetry), electrocardiogram (EKG), core body temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure and carbon dioxide level. The monitoring findings allow us to perform safe anesthesia.
What is a multi-modal approach to anesthesia?
A multi-modal approach refers to the layered administration of small amounts of different medications to achieve the desired levels of anesthesia and pain management. We administer lower doses of each individual anesthetic which generally equates to fewer side effects, complete pain relief and faster post-operative recovery.
How will you manage my pet’s pain during surgery?
We believe in performing surgery with advanced pain management techniques because we want to maximize the comfort of your pet during and after his or her procedure. Comfort control improves your dog or cat’s recovery and speeds the healing process. We administer pain medication before beginning the procedure, during and post-operatively as needed by your pet.
My pet is older, is anesthesia safe?
Anesthesia in otherwise healthy, older pets is considered safe. It is important to have recommended pre-operative testing performed prior to anesthesia to check major organ function and allow us to tailor the anesthesia to any pre-existing medical conditions.
My pet has kidney and heart disease, is anesthesia safe?
Prior to anesthesia, patients with kidney disease should be fully evaluated with blood tests, urinalysis, and possible ultrasound. Cardiology patients should also be evaluated including blood tests, chest x-rays, and echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). Our veterinarians will determine based on each individual situation if it is safe for your pet to undergo anesthesia.
When my pet is having surgery, when should I expect an update on my pet?
You will receive a call from one of our Vet techs when your pet is in recovery from the procedure. If there are any abnormalities on pre-anesthetic exam or blood work, you will receive a call prior to the procedure in case we need to change plans. Remember that no news is good news, and you will be contacted immediately should the need arise. Our Vet tech will be available at discharge to discuss the procedure and discharge instructions with you in detail, as well as answer any questions.
After surgery, when will my pet be able to go home?
Pets undergoing outpatient procedures will be ready to go by close of business the same day unless noted otherwise during the post-operative phone update.
How do I know if my pet is in pain?
It can sometimes be difficult to tell. If you are not sure but suspect your dog or cat may be hurting, or is just not acting right, call us to have us examine your pet. Some signs of pain are more obvious, such as limping, but some signs are more subtle and can include: not eating, a change in behavior or normal habits, being more tired and having less energy. Of course, these symptoms can also be caused by many problems, so early observation and action is important.
Answers to common questions after your pet returns home following surgery:
Appetite
Decreased appetite can occur after surgery. There are several things you can try:
- Offer favorite foods
- Warm the food slightly above room temperature to increase the odor and taste
- Some pets like low fat cooked chicken, turkey or ground beef with rice. As a bland diet, this may help entice your pet’s appetite following surgery.
If your pet’s appetite is not normal the day after surgery, or if your pet is not drinking water, vomiting, or seems lethargic, please call our office for further instruction.
Bandage, cast or splint is wet, soiled or off
If the bandage becomes soiled, damp, chewed, or chewed off, please do not re-bandage at home. Duct tape and other items can trap moisture within the cast or bandage causing inflammation of the skin and tissues. In some cases, bandages inappropriately applied at home can even cut off the circulation to a limb! Call us immediately if you have concerns about your pet's bandage. Please also call us if you notice swelling of the exposed toes on the bandaged limb, which can be seen by spreading apart of the toe nails. Confine your pet to a single room or similar small area until you can call us and we can advise you to whether the bandage needs to be replaced. After a cast or splint is first removed, it may take 1-2 weeks for your pet to become accustomed to using the leg without the splint.
Constipation, bowel movements
Difficulty having bowel movements can be expected after illness, anesthesia, or surgery. It may take a few days for the gastrointestinal system to return to normal function. Fortunately, it is not vital for your pet to pass a stool on a regular daily basis. Please call if your pet has not passed a stool within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital or appears to be straining to defecate.
Crying/whining
Although vocalizing can indicate discomfort, it can also be associated with other feelings following surgery. Often, pets vocalize due to the excitement or agitation that they feel on leaving the hospital and returning to their familiar home environment. Some pets will also vocalize or whine as the last remaining sedative or anesthetic medications are removed from their systems, or in response to the prescribed pain medication. If crying or whining is mild and intermittent, you may simply monitor the situation. If vocalization persists, please call us for advice. In some cases, a sedative may be prescribed or pain medication may be adjusted.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea may be seen after hospitalization. This can be caused by a change in diet but is more commonly caused by the stress of being away from home. Certain medications prescribed to your pet may also cause diarrhea. If the diarrhea is bloody, lasts longer than 12-24 hours or if your pet becomes lethargic or vomits, please contact us immediately. You can purchase a nutritionally complete bland food from us available in cans or kibble or we can guide you in preparing a home cooked bland diet. We do NOT recommend using any over-the-counter medication to treat the diarrhea. Please call us if there are any questions or problems.
E-collar
We rely on you to keep the E-collar on your pet. While they may not enjoy it initially, they will enjoy even less having to come back to our office for a recheck visit to repair an incision that has been chewed open or treat an infection at the surgery site. They will need to wear the collar on for an even longer period if this happens! Most pets become accustomed to the collar within one or two days and they can eat, sleep, and drink with it on. We are counting on you: please keep the E-collar on your pet.
Injury to surgical site
If for any reason you suspect that your pet has re-injured the surgical site, confine your pet and call us immediately for advice.
Medication Refills
If you have given your pet all the pain medication prescribed and you feel your pet still has discomfort, please call and we will be happy to discuss refilling the pain medication.
Pain
Despite the medications we have prescribed, some pets will still show signs of pain at home, such as restlessness or an inability to sleep, poor appetite, lameness or tenderness at the site of surgery. Please confine your pet to limit their activity. Then call us immediately so we can dispense or prescribe additional medication or therapies as necessary to keep your pet comfortable.
Panting
This is commonly seen after surgery. It may indicate soreness but may also be due to anxiety or in reaction to the prescribed pain medication. Please call and we can help determine whether additional pain medication is advised or if the dose needs to be adjusted. We will be happy to recheck your pet for your peace of mind.
Seroma (fluid pocket)
In any healing surgical area, fluid produced during the healing process may accumulate and form a seroma (fluid pocket). Fortunately, this is not painful and does not impair the healing process. Eventually, the body will reabsorb the fluid so if the seroma is small, we typically will leave it alone. If it is large, we may remove the fluid with a needle and syringe or even place a drain. If you notice a seroma developing, please call. We may wish to recheck the area to ensure there is no infection.
Shaking/trembling
This is a very common response to physiologic stress after surgery, injury, or any other health abnormality. The amount of shaking or trembling may be dramatic, but it does not always imply severe pain, cold, or distress. It may involve the entire body, or just the area of surgery. If there are signs of pain such as restlessness, lack of appetite, or crying out, or you are concerned about what your pet is exhibiting, please call.
Urination
Some pets may urinate less after surgery or may seem to be unable to control urination. This is usually temporary and may be a side effect of medication, anesthesia drugs, or difficulty assuming "the position" to urinate. Please call if your pet has not produced urine for more than 12 hours. Many pets initially drink less after returning home, so expect less urination at first.
Vomiting
An episode or two of vomiting is occasionally seen after surgery or anesthesia. If the vomiting continues, blood is noted in the vomitus, or if your pet is not holding down any food or water, call to schedule a recheck of your pet by a veterinarian.
