UPDATE: EFFECTIVE STARTING MONDAY 3/23/2020
To all of our clients at Animal Health Care Center:
Thank you for your support and understanding in these uncertain times. In an effort to still offer quality care while maintaining the health and well being of our staff we will be operating on a drop off and telemedicine basis only due to recommendations for social distancing. We will make every effort to continue offering all services and maintaining our normally scheduled appointments within the 30 minute allotted time slot.
How will this work?
To make an appointment please call or email us. We will then triage over the phone and make an appointment for you or ask if you would prefer telemedicine services, which we will be performing via FaceTime or Google Duo. Please note that telemedicine services can only be done for established clients and patients that we have seen in the clinic in the past 12 months-this is Texas state law. The telemedicine fee will be $25 per 15 minutes and full payment is due at time of services rendered. Telemedicine options will be set up by appointment only and will only occur during regular business hours. This will be conducted by both Dr. Hubbard and Dr. Rachal.
Telemedicine through Facebook: Cyndi Rachal Dvm (FaceTime)-this covers BOTH doctors. Please send a friend request and when it’s your appointment time we will call you through Facebook.
Telemedicine through Google Duo: Vetaahcc@gmail.com orarlingtonahcc@gmail.com You must have the Google Duo application on your phone/tablet/computer to use this. This is similar to FaceTime but can be used for both iPhone and android phones.
If you have a scheduled appointment (telemedicine OR in clinic) please email us the reason for your visit, any questions or concerns you may have and a brief history. If your pet is sick please answer the following:
– What is the primary reason for your visit?
– How long have the symptoms been going on?
– Are there any other pets in the household affected?
– Did any diet change/medication administration precipitate the concerning behavior?
– Any vomiting or diarrhea?
– Any coughing or sneezing?
– Any change in activity level?
– Any change in water intake?
For sick pets, please anticipate that your doctor may recommend bloodwork and/or xrays and a treatment plan. The cost of full bloodwork and urinalysis is $190. The cost of xrays is $179. We will make every effort to be in close contact to discuss your pet as our exam findings and diagnostics unfold.
Please arrive to in clinic appointments 5-10 minutes prior to the appointment time. PLEASE REMAIN IN OR NEAR YOUR CAR AND CALL US TO TELL US YOU HAVE ARRIVED. ALL DOGS MUST HAVE AN APPROPRIATELY ATTACHED LEASH/COLLAR/HARNESS AND ALL CATS AND OTHER PETS MUST BE IN CARRIERS. WE WILL ATTACH A SECOND SLIP LEASH AS A SAFETY MEASURE TO PREVENT YOUR DOG FROM RUNNING INTO TRAFFIC.
A staff member will meet you at the curb after you unload your pet to bring him/her inside. We will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of gloves and possibly gowns, masks and eye protective wear. The current stance is that companion animals cannot be infected with the corona virus but they can carry it and transmit it to other people much as the handle of a grocery cart might.
If your appointment is for wellness (vaccines, routine labs, injections, etc) please remain in the car as we will make every effort to complete services within 30 minutes. If we are asked by the government to prioritize appointments, we will be asking that routine things be re-scheduled and will only be seeing sick animals. If you need refills on medications during this time, including heartworm prevention, we may be able to do that without an exam (if the animal is healthy) if we have seen them in the last year.
Medication refills: As long as the clinic is open, we ask that you call the clinic when you arrive. We’ll take payment over the phone, and then an employee will bring the medications to your car. If you cannot leave your house and/or the clinic is closed, we will have two days a week where an employee will deliver medications directly to your home (there will be a $5 additional fee to compensate for gas for said employee) and drop them off on your doorstep.
We will call you prior to returning your pet to you to collect payment via credit a card over the phone and then return your pet to you curbside.
Please reach out by phone or email if we can be of help. Wishing you health and safety, Always!
The Doctors and Staff of Animal Health Care Center