FAQ

Annual blood work and fecal tests ensure that our pets are in the best shape and lets us know if there is something wrong before we can visually see any symptoms. Dogs and cats age much quicker than humans do, so their bodies are changing much faster than we think. With annual preventative diagnostics, we are able to detect issues early and get your pet started on the necessary medications/diets to slow the issues down or diminish them altogether.

Over the years, we have seen an increase in tick-borne diseases, fleas and heartworms in Southern California. Treatment for infections can be more costly than the preventative care itself and not to mention an uncomfortable experience for your fur baby. Like all medications, these are a preventative measure and not a guarantee against fleas, ticks and heartworm. But it is crucial to administer these preventatives to your pet in the time frame instructed. Annual heartworm test is required to continue heartworm prevention. And who doesn’t like a flea-free home!

If your pet’s stool isn’t extremely water, contains fresh blood or is black and tarry, then try fasting your dog for 12 hours. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water and start back up on a bland diet of chicken breast and white rice. If loose stool persists or you notice any of the symptoms above, call to schedule an exam with our veterinarian. Do not give your pet Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate; not all medicine made for humans is safe for our pets.

Are there other symptoms you are noticing along with loss of appetite, such as lethargy, decreased water intake, diarrhea and/or vomiting, abnormal behavior/activity, coughing and/or sneezing? If so, contact us so we can help assess the situation further!

It is required by a State law that the doctor establishes a valid client-patient-doctor relationship before treating an animal and/or sending your pet home with treatment. This also applies to preventative care prescriptions like flea/tick and heartworm preventions; exams must be current within the past year.

We understand that veterinary care can appear to be very expensive. At LBVMC, our goal is to help better your pet, not go after your wallet. Unlike human medicine and insurance, vet bills must be paid upfront and most pets are not covered by insurance. Our doctor has an extensive education, including 4 years of veterinary school where Doctor has acquired a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and is also required to complete 20 hours of continuing education a year. Our facility is more than just a patient’s office; we have a variety of advanced equipment so that we can offer the best of care. We have a dental suite with dental x-rays, Full body x-ray machine, Surgery suite with laser for surgical procedures, an oxygen therapy chamber and much more. The technology and sophistication of the veterinary field is expanding quickly and often is on par with human medicine so that we can offer the best care for your fur babies.

We are currently partnered with CareCredit and Scratchpay. These services can be used to pay your vet bills in installments. This allows you to be able to pay off your vet bills how you like. We also strongly recommend pet insurance.

Every company offers different coverage plans. Some plans can be breed specific, some can be for emergencies and others can cover the basic general care for your pet. With pet insurance, you pay the upfront and then you send your invoice to your insurance company for a reimbursement.