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 Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic  252-4581.

1. What are the Hospital hours?

   Our hospital is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. On Saturdays we are open from 9:00am until 4:00 pm. The clinic is closed on Sunday.

2. Do I need to have an appointment?

    Yes, patients are seen by appointment except for emergencies.

3. What forms of payment do you accept?

     We accept American Express, Cash, Check, Care Credit, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.

4. Can I make payments?

    Payment is required at the time of service.

5. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered? 

   Although spaying & neutering can be done any time after 2-3 months, our surgeons prefer to spay pets at approximately 6 months of age.  At 6 months of age pets are more physically developed and therefore pose less anesthetic risk.  Most pets will not reach puberty by 6 months of age and therefore we see no significant benefit to "early" spay/neuter for most pets.  Pets that are older and/or overwieght make for a more challenging procedure and therefore may incur additional fees for extra time required to safely complete the surgery.  The day of the procedure, 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. Depending on age and overall health, a pre-anesthetic blood screen may be recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery. 

6.  What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?

   This is a blood test that is usually run here in the clinic prior to an anesthetic procedure. Blood tests help assess internal organ function help screen for liver 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.

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

   For most routine spay and neuter procedures we use absorbable sutures that are tucked under the skin.  These do not require removal and decrease incidence of licking or chewing at incisions.  Procedures involving visible skin sutures require them to be removed in 10-14 days following the surgery.  (Typically there is no charge for suture removal with routine surgeries).

8.  Is it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?

    No, Despite numerous "wives tales" there are no proven health benefits or behavioral advantages 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 mammary cancer, 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 urine spraying and territorial marking, decreasing aggressive & territorial tendencies in males, and last but not least--- spaying and neutering decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens at local shelters. 

9.  Can my pet be spayed if she is in heat?

   Females in heat can be spayed, but surgeons prefer to spay animals when they are not in heat.  The reason for this is that the uterus becomes swollen and very vascular during estrus (heat)--which makes surgery more challenging, a bit more time consuming, and slightly greater risk for intra- & post-operative bleeding.  Typically pets who were recently in heat and/or have had previous litters tend to have larger, more developed reproductive tissues--which changes a routine procedure into a more complex surgical procedure.  As a result there are typically additional fees for the extra surgery time, anesthesia, and surgical materials for patients who were recently in heat or have had previous litters.  If a female is in heat it may be best to wait 2-3 months to schedule a spay, as this will decrease the chance of additional surgical fees.