What to Expect at a Veterinary Appointment
Knowing what to expect at your first appointment will help make the process more pleasant for both you and your pet.
Get Settled
Please arrive approximately 10 minutes early to fill out our New Patient Form. To save time, you can complete the New Patient Form online in advance.
Meet Your Veterinarian
A member of our team will review your pet's history and discuss any issues. You can ask questions, and we'll dedicate time to answering them.
Examination, Diagnosis & Treatment
Once your pet has been assessed, we will provide a diagnosis and treatment options. Your vet will work with you to determine a treatment plan for your pet.
After your visit, we will create a detailed report including your discussion, and your pet's treatment plan. We will keep this information on hand for whenever you need it.
Our Pet Care Philosophy
We proudly serve pet owners in San Mateo. We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art veterinary service to you and your pet with care and compassion.
We are passionate about preventive care, client education, and providing comprehensive emergency and rehabilitative care to San Mateo pets.
Hospital FAQs
Learn more about our office policies, payment options, and appointment booking by reading through our hospital FAQs.
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What types of payment options are available?
Payment in full is expected at the time services are provided or when your pet is released from the hospital. We accept payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
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Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?
We will provide a good-faith estimate of the cost of our services prior to treating your pet. However, unforeseen circumstances may arise that 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?
Yes, please call ahead to book an appointment to ensure 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.
Book Your Next Appointment -
What is your appointment cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer the space in our schedule to other clients.
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What types of animals do you treat?
At South Hillsdale Animal Hospital our vets are trained in the care of dogs and cats.
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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.
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What are the fees associated with a specialty appointment?
You are financially responsible for the initial examination fee and any diagnostics or treatment that you consent to for your pet’s treatment. This payment is due at the time of service.
For further hospitalization, diagnostics, or surgery, a deposit is required upfront with payment due in full when your pet is discharged. -
What are the fees associated with an emergency visit?
A deposit payment is required for all emergency examinations. Once the staff and doctors have examined your pet, an estimate for treatment will be given to you to determine a treatment plan.
If further hospitalization, diagnostics or surgery are required, a deposit is required upfront, with payment in full 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.
Online Booking & Refill Requests
Easily access your pet's medical records with the AllyDVM app.