Veterinary FAQs | Animal Hospital of Whitfield County in Dalton GA

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 Animal Hospital of Whitfield County

What are the Hospital hours?

Our hospital is open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. Saturday fro

Do I need to have an appointment?

Patients are seen by appointment, but walk-ins are welcome and are seen on a first-come basis.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, CareCredit, ScratchPay

A deposit may be required before admission in cases requiring extensive medical workup and/or Care or Specialized Treatment or Surgery. The remaining balance will be due at the time of discharge. No Billing/Credit will be permitted or provided.

Please note that no personal information such as DL# or SSN is used for any purpose other than listed above. No personal information is shared with outside parties.

If you have financial concerns, please speak with Dr. Richmond before services being rendered.

Can I make payments?

Payment is required at the time of service.

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 before surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. A pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended before undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Also, an IV catheter is recommended during all surgical procedures.

What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?

This is a blood test that is run here in the clinic before 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. during all surgical procedures.

What is the IV catheter for?

The IV catheter is placed on maintaining adequate blood pressure during any surgical procedure. It also allows quick access to veins in the event of an emergency.

How long do the sutures stay in after my pet’s surgery?

Procedures involving sutures require them to be removed in 10-14 days following the surgery.

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 your 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.