Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from Yorktown Heights pet owners. Don't see yours? Call us at (914) 962-5579, we're glad to help.
New clients & first visits
Are you accepting new clients and patients?
Yes, we welcome new clients and their dogs, cats, and exotic pets. New clients receive $25 off the first visit. You can book online in under a minute or call us at (914) 962-5579.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring any previous medical and vaccination records (or your prior veterinarian's contact information so we can request them), a list of any current medications, and your pet, safely in a carrier or on a leash. You can also fill out our new-client forms online before you arrive to save time.
Can I fill out my new-client paperwork before I arrive?
Yes, and it saves time at check-in. You can complete our new-client forms online ahead of your visit, you'll find them on our Online Forms page, or just arrive a few minutes early to fill them out in person.
What happens at the first visit?
We start by gathering your pet's full history, then perform a complete physical exam to establish a baseline for their health. Our veterinarians take time to get to know each pet personally and answer all of your questions before recommending any care.
Which pets we treat
What kinds of animals do you treat?
We care for dogs, cats, and a range of exotic pets: reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and hamsters. Please note we do not see birds.
Do you really see exotic pets?
Yes. We provide species-specific care for reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and hamsters. That's hands-on exotic experience many general practices in the area don't offer. (We do not treat birds.)
Do you vaccinate rabbits against RHDV2?
Yes. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 is often fatal and sudden death is frequently the first sign. The vaccine is two doses given 21 days apart, then annually. We recommend it even for indoor-only rabbits, since the virus travels on shoes, clothing, and foraged greens.
Do you see bearded dragons and other reptiles?
Yes, for non-venomous reptiles: bearded dragons, leopard geckos and other lizards, tortoises and turtles, and snakes. Reptile visits include a full husbandry and lighting review, because temperature, UVB, humidity, and calcium are behind most of the reptile illness we treat.
Cats & feline visits
Do you have a separate entrance and waiting room for cats?
Yes. Cats have their own entrance, their own waiting room, visual barriers at reception, and a cat-only exam room, so your cat never has to sit next to a dog or be examined in a room a dog just used. We also run calming pheromone diffusers in the cat lobby and exam rooms.
What do you do to keep a vet visit calm for a cat?
We put a soft towel on the exam table, close the door to cut hallway noise, speak softly, move slowly, and offer feline treats like Churu and Purr Pops when appropriate. We work at your cat's pace, and if a cat has hit their limit we pause and reschedule rather than push through.
Are your cat vaccines different from your dog vaccines?
Yes. We carry non-adjuvanted feline vaccines. Adjuvants are the additives that boost a vaccine's immune response, and they are also associated with the rare injection-site tumors cats can develop. The non-adjuvanted line takes that variable off the table.
My cat panics at the vet. Can you still see them?
Usually yes. We can prescribe gabapentin to give at home before the visit, a mild anti-anxiety medication that takes the edge off travel and handling. We also offer drop-off appointments, where your cat stays with us for the day and is seen once they have settled.
My cat never goes outside. Do they still need an annual exam?
Yes. Indoor cats hide illness just as well as outdoor cats, and kidney disease, thyroid disease, and dental disease all start quietly. Adult cats need an annual exam, and cats 7 and older do best on twice-yearly visits.
Booking & visits
How do I book an appointment?
The fastest way is the Schedule button on this site. Pick a date and time online, with no account required. You can also call or text us at (914) 962-5579 and we'll find a time that works.
Do you take walk-ins, or do I need an appointment?
We see pets by appointment so each one gets our full attention. Booking online is quick, and if your pet needs to be seen soon, call us and we'll do our best to fit you in.
Do I need to fast my pet before the visit?
For a routine wellness exam or vaccines, no fasting is needed and your pet can eat normally. For a scheduled surgery or certain blood tests, we'll ask you to withhold food (and sometimes water) beforehand, and we'll give you the exact instructions when we schedule.
Where are you located and what are your hours?
We're at 1865 Commerce Street, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. We're open Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays. See current daily hours and directions on our Contact page.
Is there an app I can use?
Yes, for existing clients. PetCare is a free app from DaySmart Vet, the software we use, that lets you book, confirm, or cancel appointments, view your pet's vitals and medical records, and access invoices, estimates, and certificates from your visits. Download it from the App Store or Google Play, choose Heights Hospital for Animals, and sign in with the email or phone number we have on file. You don't need the app to book, the Schedule button works for everyone.
Costs, payment & insurance
How much will my visit cost?
Our standard office visit is $99.23, which covers the exam with one of our veterinarians. Anything beyond the visit, such as vaccines, diagnostics, or treatment, is quoted in a detailed written estimate up front, before anything is done, with no surprises. We accept CareCredit and work with most pet-insurance plans.
Do you offer payment plans or accept pet insurance?
We accept CareCredit, which lets you spread payments over time, and we work with most pet-insurance plans. We'll give you the documentation you need to file your claim. Ask us and we'll walk you through the options.
Emergencies & after-hours
Do you handle emergencies or after-hours care?
We are not a 24-hour emergency hospital and do not provide after-hours care. If your pet has an emergency while we're closed, please contact the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital right away. During business hours, call us as soon as possible and we'll help.
Hospice & end-of-life care
Do you offer euthanasia or hospice care?
Yes. We provide compassionate end-of-life and hospice care to keep your pet comfortable and to support your family through a difficult time. It can be done here at the hospital or at home, and we can help with cremation arrangements and keepsakes. Please call us at (914) 962-5579 so we can help with the arrangements. If we haven't met your pet yet, please still call and we'll talk through the options with you.
House calls & home visits
Do you make house calls?
Yes, for established clients in the Yorktown Heights area, in certain situations, for example a pet who travels poorly or a family that can't get to the hospital. Call us at (914) 962-5579 to ask whether a home visit is a good fit.
Still have a question?
Booking takes under a minute, no account needed. Pick a time online, or call and we're happy to help.
