All pets should be either leashed or in a hard-sided or soft-sided pet carrier for their visit to the clinic. Cats are often easier to manage in a carrier, but if you have an adventurous cat who loves a car ride, a leash might work out great.
You may be requested to bring a stool (feces) sample to your appointment for testing, you can collect the sample in a sealed plastic bag and label it with your pet’s name and your name and bring it to the clinic with you.
When you arrive at Family Pet Veterinary in West Branch, Iowa you’ll park in front of the building and bring your pet inside our lobby. For dogs, there is a grassy area to the left of the front door if they need a chance to sniff and relieve themselves after the car ride.
You’ll check in at our front desk and either meet with a vet tech or be asked to wait in our lobby if your exam room isn’t available just yet. Dogs will be weighed in the lobby prior to their check-ups and cats will be weighed in the exam rooms.
Our private exam rooms give your pet the freedom to roam around as needed. Our vet techs will ask some initial screening questions and take a picture of your pet for their digital veterinary record. Your doctor will be in soon to introduce themself and greet you and your pet. Your doctor will also ask you about any concerns you have with your pet’s health or behavior and this is your chance to bring up anything you’d like help with.
A standard exam involves checking the eyes, ears, nose, teeth/mouth, heart, lungs, skin and coat as well as feeling the abdomen and lymph nodes. After the exam and reviewing any previous medical records we will recommend vaccines, tests and preventatives based on your pet’s individual needs.
After your visit you will check out at the reception desk and pay for your appointment with cash, check, debit or credit card. Full payment is expected at the time of service.
Post-visit you may receive additional test results by phone or email along with any follow-up actions that might be required. We will also send you a client survey to rate your experience- it’s very important to us that we understand the quality of care you enjoyed.