Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions that we are frequently asked, along with their answers. If you have additional questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to give us a call at (952) 892-7970.

1. What are the hospital hours?

    Our hospital is open Monday through Wednesday from 8:00am to 7:00pm and Thursday and Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm.   (Please note, each Thursday we close from 1:15 to 3:00 for staff meetings and training.)  On Saturdays, we are open from 8:00am until 12:00 noon. The clinic is closed on Sunday.  For after hours emergencies, please call the South Metro Animal Emergency Care (952) 953-3737.

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, Visa, Discover and Care Credit. 

4. Can I make payments?

    Payment is required at the time of service. We do accept Care Credit which allows you to make payments. Go to www.carecredit.com for more information.

5. What kinds of pets do you see?

    All three of our doctors provide care for dogs and cats.  Dr. Belisle also cares for birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, and other pocket pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and gerbils to name a few.  If you have another exotic pet that is not listed here, please call us to inquire as to whether we can provide care for him or her.  Dr. Belisle does NOT care for any hooved animals, including pot-bellied pigs.

6. Why are you called a "hospital"?  Do you provide regular basic care also?

    We are called a hospital instead of a clinic because some people assume a clinic focuses primarily on fairly routine care, such as examinations and vaccinations, and fairly routine outpatient procedures.  While we do all of that, we also offer excellent surgical care, dental care, full in-house laboratory testing, and even the option of in-house specialist services when needed.   

7.  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 strongly recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.

8.  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.

9.  Why does my pet stay overnight?
   
    We have the pets stay overnight for certain procedures in order for them to fully rest and recuperate.  We find that the next day they go home "like nothing happened," according to most owners.  After they stay the night, the next morning we take their temperature, observe their potty habits, make sure they have an interest in food, check their surgery site, and give them their first post-surgical dose of pain medications.  We can also usually tell at this point whether they need to go home with anything additional, such as an Elizabethan (cone) collar.  We find this method works very well in advancing the healing process.

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

    Not all procedures require external sutures, but if your pet has a surgery that involves external sutures, they should be removed 10-14 days following the surgery.  The pet should not be bathed or allowed to swim until after the sutures are removed.

11.  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.

12.  Do you board pets?

    No, we do not offer boarding services at this time.