Patient Information

What to Expect at a Veterinary Appointment

Knowing what you should expected from your first appointment with us will help to make the process more comfortable for both you and your pet.

Our Pet Care Philosophy

At River Oak Veterinary Hospital, we are proud to serve pet owners in the Central Valley area and beyond. Our vets are dedicated to encouraging preventative veterinary care, providing the best possible service to pets and pet owners and promoting responsible pet ownership.

We are passionate about making and keeping your pets well through all of the challenges life may throw at you and your pet to ensure you have long, healthy and happy lives together.

Hospital FAQs

Learn more about our office policies, payment options, and appointment booking by reading through our hospital FAQs.

• What types of payment options are available?

  Payment in full is expected when services are provided or, when we discharge your pet. We accept payment by cash, check, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and Visa.

• Are there payment plans available for my pet’s care?

  We are proud to offer CareCredit as a financing option. They offer an easy application process that will give you results in minutes.

• Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?

  We will provide you with a good-faith estimate of the cost of our services before treating your pet. However, unforeseen circumstances may arise which impact your final bill.

  We will always discuss our written estimate with all clients before they leave our facility, and require a deposit based on our estimate prior to any further treatment.

• Should I call ahead to book an appointment?

  We encourage you to call ahead and book an appointment to make sure that we have room in our schedule to see your pet. 

  In the event that your pet needs emergency care during our regular business hours, please contact us right away.

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• What is your appointment cancellation policy?

  If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the open space in our schedule to other clients and find a new time for your next appointment.

• What types of animals do you treat?

  We take care of all breeds of cats and dogs.

• Where can I purchase my pet's prescription and food?

  You can purchase all the medications and specialty food your pet needs either via our online store or our in-house pharmacy.

• What are the fees associated with an emergency visit?

  Depending on the emergency and if our vets need to stop what we are doing to focus on stabilizing your pet, additional fees may be charged. Once your pet has been assessed and is in a stable condition a doctor will talk to you about what is happening with your pet.

  A treatment plan and an estimate will be presented to you. If you agree with the treatment plan a deposit will be required. 

  Please realize that unforeseen circumstances may arise and can impact your final bill. If further hospital treatment or surgery are required an additional deposit may be asked of you. Payment in full is due when your pet is discharged. 

• Can you help with my pet insurance?

  We’re happy to help you fill out pet insurance forms for your pet’s visit.

Pet Owner Resources

Here are some helpful links for your pet's health.