Here are common questions we get from pet owners.
If your question has not been addressed here feel free to email us your questions or ask at your pets next visit

Are you taking new clients/patients? At this time, we are not accepting new clients. We appreciate your understanding and hope to be able to assist you in the future.
Do you see exotic or pocket pets? We are only able to service Canine and Feline patients at this time

QUESTIONS ABOUT VISITS
"Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in?":  

• We require appointments. Please call or email us to schedule your pet's visit. 

"How often do I need to bring my pet into the vet?" 

• At least once a year for a wellness check up and to maintain a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) If your pet is older or on routine medications, your pet will need to be seen every 6 months.
  

"What is a VCRP?"

•  A VCPR stands for veterinarian-client-patient-relationship. It is a partnership between you and your pet's vet. It is based on mutual trust, respect, communication and understanding, allowing the veterinarian to diagnosis, prescribe, treat and provide ongoing care tailored to your pets needs. 
  

"Why is a VCPR required?"  

• To ensure that veterinary medicine is being practiced in a safe and ethical manner. It is for your pet's safety and is also required by law in our state. Your veterinarian needs to be familiar with your animal and be able to note any changes so they can provide your animal with safest and most effective medical care. The AVMA's Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics requires a VCPR for a veterinarian to prescribe medication or otherwise treat an animal.

"How long is an appointment?" 

• Most appointments last 20–60 minutes, but timing can vary based on your pet’s needs, temperament, complexity of any treatment needed and any questions you may have. Working with animals can yeild unpredictable situations that can impact our schedule. If you have time constraints, please let us know.

"What is the difference between a wellness visit and a sick visit?" 

• Wellness visits focus on prevention; sick visits address a specific health issue. If your pet is unwell, they require a sick visit. If an illness is found during a wellness visit, the appointment may need to be adjusted so we can focus on helping your pet to feel better. We only vaccinate healthy pets, as vaccinating sick pets can cause complications. The vet will assess your pet and determine if vaccines can be given or if your pet needs to come back when they feel better.

"Why are you recommending a drop off visit?"  

• Drop-off appointments are available to accommodate pets on days with no appointment availability or when extended workups are needed. These appointments ensure your pet receives the same high-quality care as regular visits. You’ll bring your pet in the morning, and we’ll schedule a discharge time for later in the day or evening.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COST
"How much is this visit going to cost me?" 

• Upon request, we will be happy to provide our clients with a cost estimate of services. We will not perform any services without your approval. You are welcome to ask us any questions and inform us of any financial considerations that you may have.

"Are there any pet insurance companies that you don't accept?" 

• Pet insurance is on a reimbursement basis, meaning that owners pay the vet at the time of their visit and then they request a reimbursement from their insurance company afterward. As such, we work with all insurance companies. 

"Why is veterinary care so expensive?" 

• As pet owners ourselves, we understand that veterinary care can feel expensive. Unlike human healthcare, it isn’t supported by government funding or widespread insurance — which often helps reduce or cover costs entirely. Veterinary expenses are paid for by the clinic and pet owner directly, or out-of-pocket. Veterinary clinics provide a wide range of services under one roof and often in one visit performed by one group of licensed and skilled professionals— from preventive care and diagnostics to surgery, emergency treatment, therapies, radiographs, labwork, grooming, nutrition, pharmacy services and more. Providing the highest level of care means supporting our staff with fair pay, investing in specialized equipment and medications, maintaining our facility and software, and ensuring our team stays educated and licensed. We know that unexpected vet expenses can feel overwhelming. For resources that may help please visit www.churchville-vet.com/payment-options.html

"Why do we have to pay at the time of service?" 

• Just like paying at the grocery store, auto shop, salon, or daycare, veterinary care is a professional service and payment is due at the time service is provided. Unlike human healthcare, there are no contracts, subsidies, or insurance systems to delay or absorb costs. Open-ended payment plans through the vet office is not sustainable —these would go unpaid and unprioritized significantly limiting ability to care for pets. Timely payment allows us to stay in operation and available to serve your pets when they need us most.                                                                             

​"If my veterinarian doesn't clear up my pet's problem, can I get a refund?" 

•  Fees cover services provided, time to provide examinations, tests, diagnosis, treatment, education and providing or preparing medications. Refunds are not available. Medical issues can be complex and may require repeat tests or treatments. Outcomes may not always meet expectations, and sometimes ongoing management is necessary. You are paying for our best efforts in diagnosis and treatment.

"How much will my pet's surgery cost?" 

• Every surgery is different, costs depend on the specific care each patient requires. Because of this, expenses can’t always be predicted ahead of time or compared one-to-one with other hospitals. Estimates can be provided once the veterinarian has assessed your pet's specific needs. We will be more than happy to email you an estimate and answer any questions that you may have. 

"What is an OSHA compliance bio fee on my invoice?" 

• As a medical facility, we are legally required to adhere to special disposal procedures for biohazardous waste. Disposal of these must be completed by a licensed company and they charge for their services.  Facilities that incur medical waste (doctors, dentists, veterinary clinics etc.) must factor in this expense in some way. This is a similar concept to your car mechanic having to charge a tire disposal fee.

"If my pet damages it's bandage/splint will I be charged to have it fixed?" 

• Bandages are used to protect a wound or injury while it is healing. Due to the nature of animal behavior, fur and movements, it can be common for bandages to become damaged or fall off. If your pet's bandage needs to be reapplied for any reason, it is necessary to contact your veterinarian to have the bandage reapplied. An associated charge for the time, skill and materials required can be expected.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT GENERAL CARE, VACCINES & PROTOCOLS
"How much should I feed my pet and what should I feed?" 

• This depends on your pet's age, breed and lifestyle. During your pet's annual exams we discuss weight and nutrition and can help figure out the best diet and amount for your pet 

"Why is my pet itching or scratching so much?"

• The first question we will ask is if your pet is on veterinary approved flea and tick prevention. Often fleas are the culprit ven if you don't see them or suspect them. Second to allergies, dry skin, infections and other skin conditions.

​ ​"My pet has had this problem in the past. Could I get just get more medication?" 

• While you know your pet better than anyone, their condition can change,even if symptoms are similar. Only licensed Doctors of Veterinary Medicine are legally and ethically authorized to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medications. For this reason, all medication requests must be approved by a veterinarian. If the doctor determines that a refill is appropriate, we are happy to provide it; however, because pets’ health can change quickly, an examination may be required before refilling certain medications.

"Why does my vet ask for a fecal sample?" 

• Fecal samples are recommended because they help give us information on the presence of intestinal parasites in your pet. Several parasites can be transmitted from pets to humans. For the health of you & your pet, we recommend doing fecal tests annually. 

"Can I give my pet human medications?" 

• No. Do not give your pet any human medications unless a veterinarian specifically instructs you to. Animal and human doses are not interchangeable, and some human medications can be harmful or toxic to pets.

"Are vaccine boosters really necessary?"

• Yes, Booster vaccines are required in order to complete the vaccine series and help ensure proper immunity. The recommended pet vaccine schedule has been extensively studied, and we know that some vaccines do not provide long-lasting protection, which is why annual boosters are necessary. Without the appropriate booster dose(s) your pet may not be fully protected or considered fully vaccinated

"Why do I see vets using muzzles?"  

• A muzzle being placed on a dog ensures the safety of not only your pet but it also the staff. Not all dogs need a muzzle. In many instances, wearing a muzzle can also offer some pets comfort and help reduce tension. While there are various reasons a pet may need a muzzle, none of them mean that you have a "bad" dog or you are a "bad" owner. Think of a muzzle like a seatbelt. The seatbelt is there to prevent an injury in case of an accident or sudden difficult situation. A muzzle is a tool used to prevent a problem and keep everyone safe including your pet. Certainly, every time we fasten a seatbelt in the car, we hope we will not need it, but if we do need it, we are grateful it is there.

"Do you perform titer tests for my pet's instead of vaccination?" 

• We recommend annual vaccination in most all cases. If you’d like to explore titer testing instead, your veterinarian can review the process and costs with you at your pet’s appointment. For more details about vaccine titer testing, please visit us. Please visit for more information on vaccine titer testing https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/utilization-and-interpretation-of-serologic-titers/​ 

"Can I decline Rabies?"

• In accordance with NYS law, rabies vaccination is required for all pets 4 months of age and older. For more information on rabies please visit www.churchville-vet.com/rabies-information.html

"Why does my pet need medical monitoring?" 

• Pets on certain medications require routine blood tests because some medications can affect internal organs. These tests help us monitor any changes in the pet’s health, allowing us to take action if necessary. Regular blood work ensures we can track the pet's overall health while they are undergoing treatment.

"Why do I have to bring my pet in for a recheck?"

•  To determine if the infection or condition is being treated properly or has been successfully resolved, we may need to recheck your pet. If a recheck is not needed, then we will not recommend one to you. Many conditions appear to improve while your pet is on medication, but then several weeks later the illness may return or it can become worse than the initial problem. A re-check examination allows us to determine if the condition improved or not and if we need to adjust the treatment plan so we can help your pet to feel its best. 

"Why do you have to bring my pet into "the back?"

•  Our treatment area offers our staff an open and safe workspace to properly care for your pet(s). In the event we need to bring you pet into the back, our treatment area is fully equip with more staff, medications, tools, monitoring/diagnostic equipment, safety resources and of course all of the toys, treats and blankets for your pets comfort. If you ever have questions, please do not hesitate to ask us. We would be happy to explain what procedure we are going to do and how we will be doing it.

​ "Is it safe for my pet to undergo anesthesia?"​                                                                                                                                                               

• All surgeries carry some inherent risk, modern anesthetic equipment protocols and medications make them very safe. We perform a thorough physical exam and pre-op bloodwork to ensure your pet is fit for anesthesia. Pre-anesthetic blood testing helps identify hidden issues that could affect safety. If serious problems are found, surgery can be postponed until they are resolved.

"My pet feels better but I have meds left, do I still need to keep giving it?" 

• Yes, you should always give ALL of your pets medication as prescribed. Your pet may look and feel better, which is ideal, but they may not be 100% over with the illness. If medication is not given as prescribed and finished, the illness may return and it could be worse than initially.

QUESTIONS ABOUT FLEAS/TICKS/HEARTWORM
"I live in town; my dog doesn’t need tick & flea prevention, right?" 

• Even in town, pets can encounter fleas and ticks year-round due to wildlife and outdoor activities. Fleas can infest indoor areas, even during winter, and ticks are active all year. It’s crucial to use flea and tick prevention for your pets throughout the entire year.

"I only give 6 months of heartworm prevention. Why do I have to give it all year long?" 

• The American Heartworm Society’s recommendations are for year-round treatment with a heartworm preventative. Heartworm prevention works by killing the small heartworm larvae that may have been introduced into your pet’s system while an infected mosquito was feeding. The medication will kill any larva that has been developing in the bloodstream, within 30 days before giving the medication. Mosquitos can arrive early in the spring and stay late into the fall. They can be around for up to 9 months of the year, so the preventative should be given longer than 6 months. The heartworm preventative also kills intestinal parasites. Year-round protection against these worms is very beneficial to the health of your pet as well as reduces the risk of children becoming infected with these worms.

 "Why do I have to have a heartworm test every year if my dog has been on heartworm prevention for 12 months?" 

• Annual blood tests are essential for detecting heartworm disease early. Missing a dose or having your dog vomit the medication without your knowledge can put your pet at risk. While heartworm prevention is highly effective, nothing is foolproof, and there are no early symptoms of the disease. By the time symptoms appear, the disease is often advanced, making treatment more complex and costly. Additionally, the heartworm test screens for other diseases, providing a comprehensive annual checkup.

"Do I need to put flea/tick prevention on my cats if they aren’t outside much or at all?" 

• Yes - ALL pets can be exposed and are at risk for picking up fleas & ticks.  Even if they don’t go outside, fleas & ticks can be brought into your home by humans & other pets and they can even enter through doors and windows. Indoor pets are alwawys susceptible to flea and tick infestations.

QUESTIONS ABOUT RESULTS/COMMUNICATIONS
"When will I hear back with my pet's results?" 

• We strive to contact you promptly after receiving and reviewing test results from the laboratory. While we aim for quick communication, occasional delays may occur. Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or phone at 585-293-2270 for updates or any questions.

"How often do you check your emails and messages?" 

• Our clinic email and voicemail gets checked several times a day during normal business hours. Our email and phone messages are not checked outside of normal business hours. For urgent matters or urgent appointment requests, we ask that you call the office. If your pet needs medical care outside our business hours you may visit our emergency information tab. 

"Can I speak directly to the vet" 

• ​In some cases, the veterinarian may return calls to address questions, concerns, or discuss test results. If the veterinarian isn’t available when you call, our staff can assist you, or the vet will return your call at his earliest opportunity, prioritizing based on the urgency. If you need a more in-depth conversation with the doctor, we can arrange a consultation either in-person, over the phone.

                                                                      Have a question? Feel free to contact us!