Greetings

Thanks for caring enough about your pet to fully investigate the services of a veterinarian. We are totally committed to educating our clients about the proper care of their pets and how to ensure their well being. We hope you will consider the subjects presented here and will feel free to contact us with any additional information you might need. We look forward to helping you find the best veterinary services available.

Appointments

Q. Can you schedule an appointment at no charge to meet the veterinarian and his/her support team and tour the facility?

A. You should be given an opportunity to meet with the veterinary staff prior to making the very important decision of who to trust with the care of your pet. You should also have the opportunity to insure that the facility is modern, clean, and equipped to deliver high quality veterinary care.

At Westside Animal Hospital, we welcome potential clients and encourage them to meet with our veterinary staff and tour our facility prior to making the decision to entrust us with the care of your pet. Our facility is modern, clean, and equipped to deliver high quality veterinary care.

Recommendations

Q. Are the preventative health care recommendations up to date with the most current scientific research available in veterinary medicine?

A. Over the last decade, recommendations in veterinary medicine have moved from "one size fits all" medicine to customizing recommendations for each individual patient. In regard to vaccinations, studies indicate that your pet does not need to be vaccinated on an annual basis for all vaccines. Your veterinarian should customize the recommendations for your pet based on the pet's specific history, age, physical exam findings, and risk factors.

Each recommendation for your pet at Westside Animal Hospital is based on the pet's specific history, age, physical exam findings, and risk factors. Each member of our staff has many hours of continuing education and has the ability to visit the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) for the latest news in veterinary medicine. We were the first veterinary hospital in the Triangle to adopt new vaccine policies, eliminating yearly over-vaccinating of our patients. Our staff is committed to providing the best veterinary care for your pet's individual needs.

Latest Research

Q. Will your veterinarian work closely with specialists and does he/she have immediate access to the most recent developments and findings in veterinary medicine?

A. The knowledge base in veterinary medicine continues to expand exponentially so that it would be impossible for veterinarians to practice quality medicine without the support of specialists. Your veterinarian should regularly consult and offer referral to one or more of several specialty practices in our area. In addition, if your veterinarian is a member of the Veterinary Information Network he/she has immediate internet access to specialists in all areas and has the ability to search the largest and most up to date database in veterinary medicine today.

The veterinarians at Westside Animal Hospital regularly consult and offer referral to several specialty practices in our area. Our veterinarians are members of the Veterinary Information Network which enables them to have immediate internet access to specialists in all areas and have the ability to search the largest and most up to date database in veterinary medicine today. On line consultations are often responded to within a matter of hours allowing more rapid diagnoses and/or treatments.

Proper Documentation

Q. Will physical examination findings and veterinary recommendations be in a written format for each visit?

A. Upon leaving a veterinary hospital after a visit it is often hard to remember all that was communicated about and for your pet. With each visit your veterinarian should provide you with written examination findings and recommendations for optimal health. These exam findings and recommendations should be a part of your pet's permanent medical record.

Upon leaving Westside Animal Hospital after a visit, a form will be provided to you with written examination findings and recommendations for the optimal health of your pet. These exam findings and recommendations are part of your pet's permanent medical record.

Clear Fee Schedule

Q. Are fees clearly presented & explained prior to delivery of professional services?

A. High quality veterinary care does not come without cost. It is important that your veterinary team present in written form and thoroughly explain all fees before the delivery of services. Estimates should be agreed upon in writing before major procedures, hospitalization, or surgery.

It is our hospital policy that the veterinary team at Westside Animal Hospital present in written form and thoroughly explain all fees before the delivery of services. Estimates are agreed upon in writing before major procedures, hospitalization, or surgery. Estimates for future procedures are sent with you when you leave or are mailed to your home time permitting. Our goal is to provide excellent health care with no surprises.

AAHA Certified

Q. Is the hospital accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)?

A. AAHA is an international organization of veterinary care providers committed to excellence in small animal care. Accredited hospitals must voluntarily meet AAHA's high standards for hospital services and facilities in twenty specific categories. AAHA accredited are inspected periodically with a thorough on site evaluation. Less than 17% of veterinary practices in the United States are AAHA accredited. For a list of AHAA accredited hospitals in your area go to www.aahanet.org.

Westside Animal Hospital is accredited by AAHA, an international organization of veterinary care providers committed to excellence in small animal care. We voluntarily meet AAHA's high standards for hospital services and facilities in twenty specific categories. We are inspected periodically by an AAHA representative who performs a thorough on-site evaluation.