To book an appointment, call us at 315-673-4858

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. We have provided some answers to our most common questions.
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The Answers to Your Questions

Below are some common FAQs that might help answer any questions or concerns. Please feel free to call us at  315-673-4858 for any other concerns you might have about your pet.

What are your hours of operation?

We are open Mon – Fri at 8 AM – 6 PM and we are closed on Saturdays & Sundays.

What services do you offer?

Lake Country Veterinary Care offers a wide range of veterinary services for our patients. Just a few of our wellness and preventive care services are listed on our Services page.

For more information on these or other services, please call  315-673-4858.

Do I need to make an appointment?
Yes, here at Lake Country, appointments are required, walk-ins will not be guaranteed service. To schedule an appointment, please submit a request using the following link or by calling or texting our office at (315) 673-4858.
What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept a variety of payment options, including Credit Card, CareCredit, Cash, and Check.

What do you charge for spays and neuters?

We do not publish our spay and neuter prices. The price varies depending on your pet’s age and size, anesthetic needs, pre-anesthetic lab work, etc. Once we meet you and your pet, we are happy to provide a written detailed estimate.

Click here to learn more.

My pet hates coming to the vet. What can I do to make it easier?

Your pet can sense your stress about his/her visit. We try to make the environment here feel as calm and relaxed as possible. You’ll find fuzzy blankets for cats, lots of treats, and gentle handling of your pet for exams. If you know ahead of time that your pet will be stressed, please call us to talk about it prior to the exam. There are medications available to administer to your pet at home prior to your visit to help him feel less nervous while he’s here.

We also recommend stopping by for “happy visits.” During these visits, you drop in with your pet to get some treats and pets, and then you’re on your way. Hopefully, these visits will help your pet know there’s nothing to fear at the vet’s office.

Does your clinic offer payment plans?

At this time, we are unable to offer payment plans. As a private small business, we are not able to finance payments in this manner. We understand that unforeseen medical bills can be costly, so we try to maintain competitive, affordable prices and also accept various payment methods, including CareCredit. Other services that can help reduce the cost of veterinary care include the use of insurance coverage. Frequently utilized insurance companies include but are not limited to; Trupanion, Embrace, HealthyPaws, Nationwide. Please reach out to these companies directly for more information. For more information about CareCredit, please see www.carecredit.com.

Why is annual testing for heartworm required?

We at Lake Country follow the protocol as outlined by the American Heartworm Society. This allows us to provide the best standard of medicine to keep your pets healthy and safe year-round. The first heartworm test is performed at 6 months of age, which is the earliest detection window, and is subsequently tested each year (every 12 months). Please see the following website for more information: www.heartwormsociety.org

Can you explain the significance of tick-borne diseases in our area?
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi which is transmitted via tick bites. Ticks in our area can transmit other diseases, including anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. Common clinical signs associated with these diseases are; “leg shifting lameness,” lethargy, and on rare occasions increased thirst and urination. Pets can be subjected to these bacteria without clinical signs, which is why annual screening at their wellness exam is recommended to identify exposure and take appropriate action to try and prevent progressive illness. People are also at risk of contracting similar tick-borne diseases, therefore prevention is recommended for your pets as a public health initiative as well.
Why can’t I get my pet’s prescription refilled?
There are a number of reasons why a prescription may be declined and is dependent on the circumstances of each different case. Possible reasonings may be; there is no current veterinary-client-patient relationship established, the pet is overdue for blood work (4dx, disease-specific, monitoring, etc.), there are new clinical signs or circumstances for which the doctor needs to see the pet in order to develop the best therapeutic plan.
What is a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR)?
According to New York State Practitioner Law, a current VCPR must be maintained in order to legally diagnose medical conditions and subsequently prescribe medication. This is why a staff member may recommend scheduling an exam prior to offering any medical advice. We define a VCPR as a doctor having performed a physical exam within a year. NYS Veterinary Medicine & Veterinary Technology: Practice Guidelines: Guideline 5 (nysed.gov)