{"id":3057,"date":"2020-08-07T18:33:39","date_gmt":"2020-08-07T23:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/avgvet.wpengine.com\/?page_id=3057"},"modified":"2020-08-31T23:40:20","modified_gmt":"2020-08-31T23:40:20","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.upperkeysvet.com\/pet-resources\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"
Yes! We look forward to meeting you and your furry family member soon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
We can see your pet here during our office hours!<\/p>\n
Please call ahead of time, so we can prepare for your pet and help them as quickly as possible.<\/em><\/p>\n For after-hours emergencies, please contact one of our after-hours referral partners:<\/p>\n Miami Veterinary Specialists<\/strong> Cruz Animal Hospital<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Yes, we accept walk-ins.<\/p>\n However<\/u><\/em>, please note that we see appointments in the following order of priority<\/u>: Emergencies, Scheduled Appointments, Walk-ins.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t already have an appointment, you\u2019ll need to wait until our first available appointment time opens up. So, it\u2019s usually better to schedule ahead of time, as your wait will be shorter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We accept credit or debit cards, cash, and checks. Note that payment is due at the time of service.<\/p>\n We also accept certain third-party payment plans, such as Care Credit. And, we can help you file paperwork for your pet insurance (see below for more information).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We are unable to offer billing or payment plans, and must collect payment at the time of service.<\/p>\n However, we recommend Care Credit, which offers very affordable payment plans. You can use Care Credit to pay for services here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Pet insurance can be a worthwhile investment for many pets \u2014 especially young, healthy pets \u2014 that saves you money over the long-term.<\/p>\n When you come for your dog or cat\u2019s appointment, be sure to ask us about it. We can let you know if it\u2019s a good fit for your pet, and which companies may be best for them (there are lots of different plans and options out there).<\/p>\n Note that pet insurance works differently from human medical insurance. Most plans require you to pay for services up front, and then they reimburse you later. <\/em><\/p>\n So, be sure to plan for payment at the time of service, and we\u2019ll help you get the receipts and paperwork you need for filing with your pet\u2019s insurance company.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n No, we do not offer a discount.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n No, we do not offer a discount.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We offer interstate health certificates as required for traveling from state to state within the U.S.<\/p>\n For international health certificates (for travel abroad, and travel to Hawaii), please call ahead of time to let us know the details of your travel plans. After that, we\u2019ll schedule you for all appointments as needed for the health certificate, medical exams, and other travel requirements.<\/p>\n We recommend planning early, as some locations require the process to start six months in advance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Yes, we offer boarding for dogs and cats<\/a> who are active patients!<\/p>\n Give us a call at 305-852-3665<\/a> to schedule.<\/p>\n During busy times, such as holidays and summer vacation, be sure to call early to reserve your pet\u2019s spot. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Yes, we offer grooming services to all of our active patients, and would be happy to schedule your dog or cat!<\/p>\n We offer full-service grooming (a bath, blow dry, brushing, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression for dogs), as well as a la carte services, including nail trims, de-shedding treatments, and baths.<\/p>\n Give us a call at 305-852-3665<\/a> to learn more, or to schedule.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Our veterinarians provide behavioral consults, to help with concerns such as bad manners, noise anxiety, separation anxiety, and more.<\/p>\n We can also offer general advice on training your dog or cat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We offer a convenient drop-off option, so you can leave your pet here with us for the day.<\/p>\n Be sure to leave enough time in the morning to fill out the appointment form (or fill it out ahead of time, here)<\/a>, and for us to ask you any questions if needed. Then, one of our doctors will give you a call after your pet\u2019s physical exam, and explain the plan and recommendations.<\/p>\n Then, just stop by and pick up your buddy on your way home from work.<\/p>\n Note: This service is by appointment only. Please call us at 305-852-3665<\/a> to schedule.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We\u2019re happy to say we can help! While it\u2019s normal for pets to feel a little nervous at the doctor\u2019s office, we go out of our way to keep your pal as comfortable as possible during their visit.<\/p>\n But remember, the process starts at home, so we\u2019re also here to give you advice on how to travel to us without too much stress to either you or your pet!<\/p>\n Here are a few quick tips:<\/p>\n For more tips, just give us a call at 305-852-3665.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In order to board with us, your dog or cat must be up-to-date on their routine care, including vaccines and parasite prevention. This is for the safety of all pets at our facility.<\/p>\n Please check with us ahead of time, and we\u2019ll let you know if anything is required prior to your pet\u2019s stay.<\/em><\/p>\n We also recommend you bring your pet\u2019s food from home. We have healthy food to offer them here, but many pets are most comfortable eating the food they normally eat at home.<\/p>\n You are also welcome to bring a toy, blanket, or shirt from home. We have plenty of comfortable bedding for them, but they might also enjoy having a familiar object with them.<\/p>\n Be sure to bring all of their medications that they\u2019ll need, and a completed pre-boarding form.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Simply call your previous vet office to request a copy of your records, and bring them with you.<\/p>\n Or, you can request to have them sent directly to us at:<\/p>\n Fax: 305-852-9646<\/p>\n Email: info@upperkeysvet.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In order to serve you and your pet most efficiently, we recommend bringing a copy of any medical records you have for your furry family member.<\/p>\n You can bring a copy with you, or call your previous veterinarian to have the records sent directly to us, at:<\/p>\n Fax: 305-852-9646<\/p>\n Email: info@upperkeysvet.com<\/a><\/p>\n If your pet is taking any medications or supplements, it can also help to bring the containers with you, so we can make a note of the brand and dosage for your pet\u2019s medical records.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n First of all, congratulations!<\/p>\n Go ahead and give us a call and tell us more about your new pet\u2019s age, where they\u2019re from, and any records you have of their vaccines, parasite preventions, and other medical history.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll take it from there, and schedule an appointment to meet your new furry family member, and get their next vaccines when due.<\/p>\n If your puppy or kitten is ill, please call or seek veterinary care right away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Unfortunately, dogs and cats can\u2019t tell us when they\u2019re not feeling well.<\/p>\n Sometimes you\u2019ll notice symptoms of illness \u2014 like an upset stomach, for example \u2014 but other times, pets may hide symptoms of illness or pain, at least until a medical condition becomes more advanced and difficult (and more expensive) to treat.<\/p>\n For that reason, it\u2019s best to take a proactive approach to their health. A wellness exam<\/a> and certain lab tests<\/a> can tell us a lot about how your pet is doing, and help to detect any early signs of medical problems, before they get worse.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a great investment in keeping your pal happy and healthy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is required by law.<\/p>\n In order to get a rabies license and meet the legal requirements of Monroe County\u2019s rabies laws, the vaccine must be administered by a veterinarian, who must perform a physical exam to be sure your pet is healthy enough to receive the vaccine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In Islamorada, FL, it\u2019s a good idea to use parasite prevention for your dog or cat year-round. That includes prevention for heartworms, fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites,<\/a> for most pets.<\/p>\n This includes indoor pets, too, since mosquitoes (which carry heartworm disease), fleas, and other pests can easily get inside of houses.<\/em><\/p>\n It\u2019s much better to prevent these parasites, rather than try to treat them after they\u2019re already there. Some infections (such as heartworm) can cause major health problems, including death. And, parasites such as fleas can be difficult and expensive to treat once they\u2019re in the home.<\/p>\n Call us at 305-852-3665,<\/a> or schedule an appointment online<\/a>, and we\u2019ll be happy to talk to you about which preventive products are best for your individual pet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Heartworms are worms that can live inside the heart of dogs and cats. They are transmitted through mosquito bites, and once they mature to their full size they can be several inches long.<\/p>\n These worms cause a lot of damage to the heart, and can cause death. It\u2019s a terrible \u2014 but fortunately preventable \u2014 disease.<\/p>\n If a dog receives heartworm prevention when they already have heartworms in their body, it can cause a terrible reaction that makes them ill. In some cases, it can even cause death.<\/em><\/p>\n Testing your dog for heartworm disease helps to prevent anything like this from happening. It also ensures your dog can receive appropriate treatment \u2014 before too much damage is done to the heart \u2014 should they ever acquire a heartworm infection.<\/p>\n Most preventions are very effective, but there are several reasons why a dog on prevention can develop heartworm disease, including\u2026<\/p>\n With all these possible reasons and more, it\u2019s important to check your dog\u2019s heartworm status at least once per year, even if they\u2019re on prevention.<\/p>\n And note: Many heartworm prevention products offer a guarantee<\/em> that they\u2019ll help pay for your dog\u2019s heartworm treatment, should your dog ever acquire the disease while taking their medication.<\/p>\n But, in order to receive this guarantee, your dog does need to receive routine heartworm tests as recommended by your veterinarian, based on their risk of heartworm disease in Islamorada, FL.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We\u2019ll make a personalized recommendation for your pet, based on their individual needs.<\/p>\n But, you can find a general vaccine guide for dogs and cats here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all, and we\u2019ll make a recommendation based on your pet\u2019s individual needs.<\/p>\n
\n8601 Sunset Dr., Miami, FL 33143
\n305-665-28205<\/a><\/p>\n
\n27063 Overseas Hwy., Ramrod Key, FL 33042
\n305-872-2559<\/a><\/p>\n<\/i>Do you accept walk-in appointments?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>What types of payment do you accept?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Do you offer billing or payment plans?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Should I get pet insurance?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Do you offer a senior discount?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Do you offer a military discount?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Do you offer health certificates?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Do you offer boarding?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Do you offer grooming, baths, or nail trims?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Do you offer training, or puppy\/kitten socialization classes?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>I work during the day and can\u2019t make it during your appointment times. What should I do?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>My pet hates coming to the vet. What should I do?<\/h4>\n
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<\/i>What\u2019s required for boarding?<\/h4>\n
Your first appointment<\/strong><\/h1>\n
<\/i>How do I transfer my pet\u2019s record from a previous clinic?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>What do I need to bring to my first appointment?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>I just got a new puppy\/kitten. What should I do?<\/h4>\n
Medical<\/strong><\/h1>\n
<\/i>Is it really necessary to bring my dog or cat in for a wellness exam?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Why does my pet need a physical exam in order to get a rabies vaccine?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Does my pet need heartworm and flea prevention year-round?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>Why does my dog need a heartworm test even though he\/she is on prevention?<\/h4>\n
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<\/i>What vaccines does my pet need?<\/h4>\n
<\/i>What brands of dog and cat food do you recommend?<\/h4>\n