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 (865) 691-8387.

1. What are the Hospital hours?
   Our hospital is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. The clinic is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
2. Do I need to have an appointment?
   Yes, we prefer to see patients by appointment in order to give our cases adequate time and attention. 
3. What forms of payment do you accept?
   Cash, American Express, Mastercard and Visa
4. Can I make payments?
   Full payment is required at the time of service.
5. 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. A pre-anesthetic blood screen is required prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.
6. What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?
   This is a blood test that is run here in the clinic, during your presurgical consultation, prior to the day of surgery. These tests check 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. Surgery will be scheduled at the presurgical consultation appointment. 
7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?
   Procedures involving sutures require them to be removed in 14 days following the surgery.
8. 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.
9. Do you board pets?
   Yes, we do boarding for our clients/patients only. We have small facility which results in very limited space for boarding, as our sick and hospitalized patients are our highest priority. To assure that we have availability for our long-term patients, we only board patients that have been exclusively in our care for six months or longer. All boarding animals must be up to date on required vaccinations, parasite control and spayed/neutered. We do not board patients that receive vaccinations and routine care at other facilities.
10. What are your kennels like?
    Our dog kennels are all indoor. The dogs are walked 3 times daily while they are boarding. The cat boarders are housed in a separate area away from the dogs. We do prefer that you bring your own food to help ensure your pet eats well and decreases the chance of diarrhea due to sudden diet changes.