Arrival Policy
All pets entering and exiting the hospital must be on a leash, or in a carrier at all times. Please be sure to have your children ask permission to touch other client’s pets, as not all animals are friendly with strangers. If your pet is on a retractable leash, please keep the length short to respect other clients and their pets space.
Appointments
We care for pets primarily by appointment only, but walk-ins are accommodated and will be seen as time allows. Appointments are seen Monday through Friday between 8:30am - 11:30am and 3:00pm – 5:00pm, and Saturdays between 8:30am – 11:00am. Please be aware the order of priority is as follows: emergencies, appointments, sick walk-ins, and routine procedure walk-ins. We make a concerted effort to see every client on time and a phone call is greatly appreciated if an appointment needs to be rescheduled. Excessive tardiness to appointments will result in a late arrival fee.
Charges for Services
We strive to ensure that all our fees are fair and reasonable, and you are encouraged to discuss charges before services are rendered. Our fees are based upon time spent treating/evaluating, diagnostic testing, procedures performed and medication used to ensure the best possible care and outcome for your pet. Remember your pet’s doctor wears several different hats: radiologist, dentist, surgeon, anesthesiologist, pharmacist, and many more. Payment is required at the time service is rendered. For your convenience we accept all Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Debit Cards, Cash, Checks and Money orders. Bayside Animal Hospital does not take payment plans, but we do work with an outside financing company called CareCredit. CareCredit offers low monthly payment plans with 0% interest on 6 month and 12 month financing.
Read more about Care Credit here!
Surgical Procedures
Surgeries need to be scheduled in advance due to the amount of pre-operative, operative, and post-operative time necessary to assure your pets safety. Surgery patients need to be dropped off between 7:30am and 8:30am, unless previously discussed with your pet’s doctor. Surgical procedures are performed on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Currently, Dr. Murphy is in surgery on Monday mornings, Dr. Shepherd is in surgery on Wednesday mornings, and Fridays are rotated between them. Dr. Leestma is in surgery as needed by her patients.
Please allow 10-15 minutes of your time at arrival to fill out the necessary consent forms and speak with a veterinary nurse to discuss the procedure that will be performed. Most surgeries performed at Bayside Animal Hospital are simple in-patient procedures and the pet can be picked up the same day of surgery. Typically pick up is after 4:00pm. Please keep in mind we close promptly at 6:00pm and accommodations can happily be made to have your pet stay overnight, free of charge, should it be necessary. We also understand early arrival can be difficult with today’s demanding schedules. The free night of boarding offered with every surgical procedure can be used the night before surgery to assure your pets presence for their operation.
Payment for surgical procedures is due at time of pick-up. All pre-operative bloodwork must be paid for at the time blood is drawn, with the exceptions of preventative dental care packages. On the day of surgery, our invoice will reflect the amount paid ahead of time or reimbursement for the discounted rate.
Surgical/Dental Standard Consent
Drop Off
We are aware that today, more than ever, people have busy schedules. For that reason, we invite you to drop off your pet between 8:00am – 9:00am to receive veterinary care. Drop off reservations need to be scheduled ahead of time, but can sometimes be a last minute option should an unexpected situation arise and no appointments are available for the day. Your pet will relax comfortably in a 4×8 run until the doctor can see him between appointments and surgeries. Typically pets are seen between 10:00am- 3:00pm. On the day of your pets appointment, please allow 15-20 minutes of your time when dropping off to discuss symptoms, treatment plan and to fill out a consent form. The consent form will need to have approved budget consent, and a good contact number. At Bayside Animal Hospital, we strive to keep your bill as low as possible yet treating your pet as deemed necessary by the veterinarian to assure optimum health. A veterinary nurse will keep in touch with you throughout the day to update you on your pets current condition and proposed treatment from the doctor. Unless the choice of “treat as necessary” was chosen on the standard consent form, then Bayside will wait for verbal consent to treat your pet.
Boarding
Bayside Animal Hospital provides boarding to pets that are not yet fully vaccinated, and pets that require special care and attention. Pets who can be considered special needs include diabetic patients, blind, deaf, pets who suffer from chronic arthritis or old age. Healthy, vaccinated pets are reffered to the Bed & Biscuit.
Bayside Animal Hospital is a “flea free” facility. This meaning, should your pet arrive with fleas, they will be administered an oral medication called Capstar. Capstar is safe for pets of all ages and size. It is an oral tablet that kills all fleas within 30 minutes of administration and lasts 24 hours. This will be done at the owner’s expense. In the event of this occurrence, a Bayside veterinary nurse will notify you. Per your request, we can administer a single dose of Frontline should fleas be seen.
All pets that are boarding need to be current on vaccines unless previously discussed with a doctor, unless a current disease/condition is preventing so. Canines need to be current on Bordetella, Rabies, and DHPP. Felines need to be current on Rabies and FVRCP (Feline Distemper).
Boarding guests need to be dropped off Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm; and Saturday between 8:00am and Noon, unless previously arranged with the front desk. Upon arrival, please allow 15-20 minutes of your time to fill out necessary consent forms. A veterinary nurse will go over all instructions for your pet(s). Every patient must go through this process in order to stay at Bayside Animal Hospital. If your travel schedule does not allow for this time to be spent checking in, please call ahead to discuss instructions so we can be assured your pet will receive optimum care.
