What to Expect at a Vet Appointment
Knowing what to expect at your first appointment will help make the process more pleasant for both you and your dog, cat, or horse.
1. Arrive & 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.
2. Meet Your Veterinarian
A member of our team will review your animal's history and discuss their issues. You can ask any questions you want, and we'll dedicate time to answering them.
3. Exam, Diagnosis & Treatment
Once your animal has been assessed, we will provide you with a diagnosis and options for treatment. Your veterinarian will work with you to determine a treatment plan for your dog, cat, or horse.
After your visit, we will create a detailed report of our diagnosis and treatment plan. We will keep this information on hand whenever you need it.
Our Care Philosophy
We proudly serve animal owners in Sturgis and western South Dakota. 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 Sturgis dogs, cats, and horses.
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 upon discharge of your pet or horse. We accept payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
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Are there payment plans available for my animal's care?
We are proud to offer CareCredit and Scratchpay as financing options. They offer an easy application process that will give you results in minutes.
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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 animal. 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.
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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 animal.
In the event that your cat or dog needs emergency care during our regular business hours, please contact us right away. For horses, we offer 24/7 emergency care.
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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?
We take care of cats, dogs, and horses.
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Where can I purchase my pet's prescription and food?
You can purchase all the medications, specialty food, or regular 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 animal'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 animal is discharged.
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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 animal, 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 animal is discharged.
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Can you help with my pet insurance?
We’re happy to help you fill out insurance forms for your animal's visit.
Client Resources
Here are some helpful links for your animal's health.
PetDesk Pet Health Mobile App
Connect with your pet care providers, request appointments, get reminders, and access everything you need to prioritize your pet’s health with the PetDesk app.
New Patient Form
Fill out the New Patient Form prior to your first appointment. This will help you get in to see the veterinarian sooner and also allow you more time to ask your vet any questions.
Financing Options
Get financing with CareCredit quickly and easily and receive flexible payment options. CareCredit financing is available for dog and cat patients only.