Questions About Your Pet’s Care

Caring for your pet comes with plenty of questions, and we’re always happy to help answer them. Whether you’re preparing for your first appointment, wondering what to bring, planning for surgery, or simply trying to determine the right next step for your pet, you’ll find answers to some of our most common questions below.

If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us. Our team is happy to help!

Appointments & New Patients

What pets do you see?

We are happy to provide veterinary care to a wide variety of pets. 

• Dogs & Cats

• Rabbits, Guinea Pigs & Ferrets

• Other small mammals (Chinchillas, mice, rats, gerbils, hedgehogs & hamsters)

• Reptiles & Amphibians (lizards, snakes, turtles, & tortoises, )

• Birds (tropical & domestic)

• Fish

• Wildlife (for our beloved wildlife rehabbers)

• Mythical Creatures (bigfoot, jackalopes, chupacabras, etc)

To get started, schedule an appointment and complete our New Patient Form before your visit. Providing this information ahead of time helps everything run smoothly and allows our team to get to know your pet before we meet them!

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes! We’re happy to welcome new patients and their families to Black Mountain Animal Hospital.

To get started, schedule an appointment and complete our New Patient Form before your visit.

• Book an Appointment

• Complete New Patient Forms

How do I schedule an appointment?

You can request an appointment through our Book an Appointment page or contact our office directly.

If you’re unsure what type of appointment your pet needs, give us a call. Our team can help determine the best next step based on what’s going on with your pet.

What should I bring to my pet’s first appointment?

If available, please bring or send us your pet’s previous medical records, including vaccination history, recent laboratory results, current medications, and other relevant health information. We also want your pets' cutest picture to go on their record!

How can I transfer my pet’s medical records?

If your pet has been seen by another veterinarian, please ask that practice to send their medical records to Black Mountain Animal Hospital.

Having previous records available allows our veterinary team to better understand your pet’s medical history and avoid unnecessary repetition of tests or treatments.

Your Pet’s Care

How often should my pet see a veterinarian?

We love to see our pets at least once a year. Healthy annual visits are the most efficient way to ensure you have extra sets of eyes on your pet family. The perfect schedule all depends on your pet’s age, health, lifestyle, and individual medical needs. 

Many healthy adult pets benefit from annual wellness visits, while puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets managing ongoing health conditions may need to be seen more frequently.

We will recommend an appropriate schedule for your pet and adjust accordingly as they grow!

What happens during a routine veterinary visit?

Since every pet is so different, every visit is a little different too!

A typical visit will include a physical exam, a discussion of any changes you’ve noticed at home, a review of your pet’s medical history, and recommendations based on their age, lifestyle, and current health.

Most importantly, it’s an opportunity for you to ask questions. If something has been concerning you, even if it seems minor, routine visits are the best time to ask!

What vaccinations does my pet need?

Vaccination recommendations are not the same for every pet. We will make recommendations based on factors such as your pet’s age, health history, lifestyle, environment, and potential exposure to disease, all while staying compliant to state regulations.

During your appointment, we can review your pet’s vaccination history and discuss which vaccines are appropriate for them.

My pet seems sick. Should I make an appointment?

Changes in appetite, energy level, bathroom habits, behavior, breathing, mobility, or other everyday routines can indicate that something is wrong. You know your pets day-to-day routine better than we do, so if you see something unusual, we will be happy to set your mind at ease and treat if needed.

If you’re concerned, we are concerned. Our team can help determine whether an appointment at Black Mountain Animal Hospital is appropriate or whether your pet should receive more immediate care elsewhere.

Surgery & Procedures

Does Black Mountain Animal Hospital perform surgery?

Yes. Surgical care is available at Black Mountain Animal Hospital.

Because the appropriate procedure and treatment plan depend on each individual pet, we will always schedule a pre-surgical exam to discuss your pet’s needs. We can explain the recommended procedure, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect before, during and after surgery.

Visit our Surgery page to learn more.

How should I prepare my pet for surgery?

Preparation can vary depending on your pet, the procedure being performed, current medications, and other health considerations.

We will provide specific pre-surgical instructions for your pet. Please follow those instructions before making any changes to food, water, or medications.

If anything is unclear before your pet’s procedure, contact us. We would much rather answer a question beforehand than have you wondering what to do.

What should I expect after my pet’s surgery?

Recovery instructions will also vary depending on the procedure and your pet’s individual needs.

Before your pet goes home, we’ll review the appropriate aftercare instructions with you. These will include information about medications, activity, incision care, feeding, follow-up visits, and symptoms you should monitor for at home.

If you have questions or notice something concerning during your pet’s recovery, contact our team right away.

Urgent & Emergency Care

Does Black Mountain Animal Hospital provide emergency veterinary care?

Black Mountain Animal Hospital is not an emergency veterinary hospital.

If your pet is experiencing a serious or potentially life-threatening emergency, please seek care from an emergency veterinary facility rather than waiting for a regular appointment. When faced with an emergency scenario, we will do our best to stabilize your pet and transfer to an emergency clinic. It is always best for your pets to avoid this extra stop and go straight to an emergency hospital. 

We maintain an Emergency page with information about trusted emergency care options in the area.

How do I know if my pet needs emergency care?

Some situations clearly require immediate attention, while others can be difficult to judge at home.

Severe injuries, difficulty breathing, collapse, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, suspected poisoning, or other rapidly worsening symptoms should be treated as emergencies.

If you believe your pet may be experiencing an emergency, do not wait for a routine appointment. Contact an emergency veterinary hospital for guidance and care.

If the situation does not appear life-threatening but you are concerned about your pet, contact Black Mountain Animal Hospital and we can help determine the appropriate next step.

Before Your Visit

Where can I find your patient forms?

Our Patient Forms page contains the forms you may need before your pet’s visit, including forms for new patients.

Completing the appropriate forms ahead of time can make check-in easier and gives our team important information before your appointment.

[View Patient Forms]

Where can I learn more about the veterinary services you offer?

Visit our Services page for an overview of care available at Black Mountain Animal Hospital.

If you’re not sure whether we can help with your pet’s particular concern, contact us. We’ll be happy to point you in the right direction!

[Explore Our Services]

Still Have Questions?

Every pet is unique, and sometimes a quick conversation is the easiest way to get the answer you need.

Contact us today with questions about your pet’s care, an upcoming appointment, forms, surgery, or anything else we can help clarify. We look forward to hearing from you!

[Contact Us]‍  ‍[Book an Appointment]