Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Hospital hours?

   Our hospital is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. 

2. Do I need to have an appointment?

    Yes, patients are seen by appointment.

3. What forms of payment do you accept?

     Cash, Check, Mastercard, Visa, and Care Credit.

4. Can I make payments?

    Payment is required at the time of service, however Peninsula Animal Hospital and Orthopedics has a credit application that you may apply for should your circumstances require credit to be extended by the practice. 

5. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?

   Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6-9 months of age. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Dr.Haberstroh likes pets to be closer to their full growth prior to spaying or neutering and discourages infantile spays/neuters. Research has been conducted examining the effects of spaying/neutering prior to the age where long bone growth plates close. Athletic/working dogs might consider postponing their spay/neuter until they are a full year of age. This decision must factor in other health risks, and Dr. Haberstroh will be glad to discuss this topic and answer any questions you have during the pre-surgery office appointment. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. After spaying or neutering, male and female dogs, and female cats typically stay overnight for monitoring and care until Dr. Haberstroh is satisfied with their progress. Some patients may be sent home the evening of the surgery date if deemed appropriate. 

6.  What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?

   A full blood panel is run in the clinic prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions, blood counts and clotting function of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.

7. How long do the sutures stay in after my pet's surgery?

  Cat and Dog spays have visible stitches that may either be 1) nylon or 2) surgical staples which are typically removed in 10-14 days once the surgery incision has healed. Male cat neuters are discharged the same day and have no stitches.

8.  Is it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?

    No, there is no advantage to letting your pet have one litter. However there are plenty of advantages to having you pet spayed or neutered. These advantages include decreasing the chances of breast tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens. 

9.  Do you board pets?

   No, but if your pet has special medical needs that local boarding kennels cannot attend to, please ask Dr. Haberstroh if she can accommodate your special needs pet on a case by case basis.

10.  What are your kennels like?

   Our dog kennels are all indoor. The kennels and cages keep patients separate from one another at all times. We have special recovery cages that pump in oxygen and have heated floors for extra safety for our patients coming out of surgery/anesthesia. These high tech oxygen cages also provide an excellent treatment environment for patients that have breathing problems that require special oxygen supplementation (heart failure, vehicle trauma, asthma, and pneumonia patients). Contagious pets are quarantined in an isolation ward that has negative pressure air flow to decrease the risk of spreading infectious disease to other patients in the hospital. The dogs are walked several times daily while they are hospitalized. Blankets and food are provided for our patients, but you are always welcome to bring your own. Please visit our virtual tour page to take an inside look at our facility. You are welcome to visit and inspect our hospital facilities at any time. 

11.  What is the difference between a DVM and a VMD? 

   A DVM or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine has completed 4 years of undergraduate school and 4 years of veterinary school.  A VMD (veterinariae medicinae doctoris) is how the veterinary school degree is given from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine which traditionally has used latin letters to honor its school's graduates.  The veterinary program at the University of Pennsylvania is also a 4 year program, but one of the oldest veterinary schools in the country, with a deep rooted tradition in problem oriented medical training. 

12.  What is a D.A.B.V.P. (canine and feline practice)

A DABVP or Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners is a veterinarian who has demonstrated exceptional knowledge and education in their specialty field.  To become a certified diplomat, a considerable amount of continuing education course work must be undertaken.  Case studies must be researched and written in publication format that demonstrate the candidate's expertise in diagnosing and treating complicated medical and surgical small animal patients.  Letters of recommendation must be completed from board certified specialists that have worked closely with the candidate and verify the quality of their veterinary abilities.  When all of the former criteria have been met, the candidate is then eligible to sit for a rigorous two day examination that covers written test material and visual clinical material designed to demonstrate an exceptional understanding of all areas of canine and feline practice.  This certification must be renewed every 10 years. 

If you have additional questions, please feel free to call us at (302) 846-9011.