Our Practice

Animal Hospital of the Sierra is devoted to your pet’s health and well-being.

Appointments

Medical services at Animal Hospital of the Sierra require an appointment, made in advance. Appointments generally run 20 minutes. You and your pet will have a private room with the doctor and will receive the doctor’s undivided attention.

WE ARE NOT AN EMERGENCY HOSPITAL. However, we do have emergency situations which will always receive top priority. In this case, appointment delay is inevitable. Please realize that we make a sincere attempt to see each client on time.

When calling to make an appointment for your pet, please give us your first and last name before giving us your pet’s name. This will help the receptionist give you the assistance you need in a quick and easy manner. Thanks!

Tech Appointments

If your pet has been in for an exam in the past year with one of our doctors and only needs vaccines, a heartworm test, or sutures/staples removed, our professional technicians will be able to assist you. This eliminates the exam fee required when your pet sees a doctor.

Restraint

Please have your pets under restraint, either on a leash or in a carrier while in the waiting room or the hospital area. Restraint is important for their safety and yours. Leashes are available free of charge as are loaner cat carriers.  Cat carriers are also available for purchase at a minimal charge.

Estimates

We understand your concerns about finances. It is our policy not to do a treatment or surgery without first working up an estimate of cost for your review. If you agree with the veterinarian’s recommendation for treatment, we will require a signature of consent to proceed.

Hospital Admission

All animals are supplied with blankets and towels. These towels and blankets are disinfected in our commercial washer and dryer. When you leave your animal in our care, please do not leave leashes, bones, toys, harnesses, cat boxes, blankets, choker chains, etc. All flea and/or tick infested animals will be treated for fleas and/or ticks upon admission at a reasonable charge.

Veterinary Surgery & Pet Dental Care Drop-offs

All surgery cases must be scheduled. This includes spays and neuters. Your pet should not be given food or water after midnight before the morning of surgery.

Dental procedures and surgery are performed under general anesthesia between 8:00 A.M. And 12:00 P.M Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and some Thursdays. Drop off time is between 7:15 A.M. and 7:45 A.M. the day of surgery. Animals having dentistry or minor surgical procedures are usually discharged the same day after 3:30 P.M.

Major surgical cases stay overnight or longer to allow for recovery from anesthesia and evaluation of the animal during the post-surgical period. Regardless of the type of surgery performed, you may call AFTER 2:00 P.M. for a progress report on your pet. If he or she will be staying the night, call again between 9:30 and 11:00 the following morning to arrange for discharge.

At Animal Hospital of the Sierra, surgical patients have I.V. catheters and fluids, pre-surgical pain medication, and take-home pain medication in order to ensure a smooth, pain-free recovery. We assess any risk factors in your pet with pre-surgical blood work, pre-anesthetic physical examinations by our doctors, and a good medical history.

We are open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday. Sundays we are closed and try not to hospitalize pets during this time unless necessary. We do have a technician that will come and check, treat and feed your pets twice a day. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to discuss them with us.

Note: We realize how much you miss your beloved pet and understand your desire to visit with them. However, we do not encourage visits because it can make your pet anxious that they may be going home with you and disrupt the rest he/she needs during this critical time.

Hospital Releasing

Hospital cases are released only during doctor`s hours or by special permission of the doctor. Often your pet will be extremely excited to see you, this excitement will cause your pet to be thirsty and once home may over drink. It is advisable that you do not give your pet too much water or food at one time upon arriving home. This will help prevent nausea resulting from the excitement.

Fees

WE REQUIRE PAYMENT AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. The animal hospital must purchase drugs, equipment, and supplies from the same sources that supply a human hospital. Please understand that unlike the human hospitals, we are not subsidized by county tax dollars, public grants, tax exemptions, or donation drives. We must be financially responsible to stay in business.

Your bill will be presented in an itemized form. We offer financing options through CareCredit and Scratchpay with low monthly payments and options for interest free arrangements. For more information see our Care Credit Information Page [text link to Resources -> CareCredit for Veterinary Health page) or apply below: