What to Expect

Upon arriving and after checking-in at the UF Small Animal Hospital, you and your pet will be greeted by one of our client service representatives and placed in an exam room. From there our medical team will come in, take a history, and perform a physical examination on your pet, which may or may not include a veterinary student conducting the initial assessment. If a student is part of the process, they will present their findings to the veterinarian, who then conducts a final evaluation.

Once the student and veterinarian have gone over all the details of your pet’s condition, they will discuss their initial assessment with you, recommend any additional diagnostics, and provide a detailed plan.

We understand that your time is very valuable so we will do everything in our power to accomplish this in a timely manner. However, a reproductive workup can sometimes be time consuming, so please be prepared for an extended appointment period.

Minimums for Veterinary Care

  • Vaccines: Administered in accordance with recommended frequencies and to include Rabies (as required by Florida law) and multivalent DA2PP (preferably with Lepto) along with the following suggested vaccines: Lepto (if not included in DA2PP), Bordetella/Kennel Cough, and Canine Influenza
  • Heartworm Test: Negative test result within the last year and currently on preventative
  • Brucella canis Test: A recent negative test result is required. For male canines, the result is valid if tested within the last 6 months. For the bitch, the result is valid if tested within the last 6 months or every heat cycle on which she has been bred. If no test has been done or is out of the specified time frame, we can provide that testing service. Testing applies to ALL canine patients of Small Animal Reproduction. See additional resources here.
  • Physical Examination: Reviewing concerns for defects (i.e. no heart abnormalities, obvious hip dysplasia, or breed specific problems such as eye conditions or those not recommended for breeding)
  • Registration Number: Should provide a copy of registration number (i.e., AKC, other organization, etc.)

Treatment Plan and Payment

Every effort is made to discuss fees prior to and during treatment. The costs associated with specialized medical care are often a concern for families. Due to the nature of some medical conditions however, it is not always possible to precisely predict the outcome or associated costs. If substantial deviation from the treatment plan is anticipated, you will be informed by our staff and a new estimate of costs will be presented to you before any new or additional measures are implemented.

Fees for outpatient visits are to be paid in full at the time of service. Hospital admission, including emergencies, requires a deposit of 75% of the high end of the estimate with the remaining balance due at time of discharge. We accept cash, checks and major credit cards. The UF Veterinary Hospitals do not offer payment plans, however, we do accept CareCredit. To pay your bill or for more information regarding our financial policies, visit our financial services page.

University of Florida

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As part of both the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and UF Health, Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to advancing animal, human and environmental health through teaching, research, extension and patient care.

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UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Animal Hospitals

Need animal care? Visit the UF Small Animal and Large Animal Hospitals. From dogs, cats, birds and exotics to horses, cattle, llamas, pigs and many other large farm or food animals, our experienced veterinary staff is ready to assist.

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Animal Airwaves

Animal Airwaves is a daily radio series that features one-minute segments relating to animal health, ranging from insights into animal behavior to veterinary patient care breakthroughs and trends.

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