Clinic Policies
As your veterinarian, I feel that open communication regarding clinic policies and cost of services is integral in preventing any misunderstandings that may compromise the veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Scheduling an appointment implies that you understand and will comply with clinic policies.
Scope of Service: McClure Small Animal Housecall Service is a veterinary practice limited to wellness/vaccine appointments, quality of life assessment and home euthanasia. Treatment of ailments found during wellness appointments is at the discretion of Dr. McClure and may require referral to an animal hospital.
Clients of McClure Small Animal Housecall Service will need to maintain a relationship with a veterinary hospital for services such as surgery, dental cleanings, and emergency/urgent care in addition to any appointments requiring diagnostics such as radiographs, ultrasonography or bloodwork. A list of emergency clinics is provided below.
Mode of Communication: Contact is via phone/voicemail and e-mail. Voicemail and email will be responded to by the end of the next business day (M-F), unless noted otherwise on the clinic voicemail/email message.
Text messages and phone hangups will not be responded to.
If you have an emergency, please contact your animal hospital or an emergency clinic.
Confinement of Animals Prior to Appointment: in the essence of time, animals to be examined need to readily available at the time of the appointment.
Dogs need to be leashed and confined to the house, garage, barn, etc.
Cats can be confined to a small room such as a bathroom, which is typically less stressful than placing them in a carrier (or dragging them from under the bed!)
For the exam itself, small dogs and cats may be easier to examine when placed on a surface such as a counter, tabletop or on top of a washer/dryer. Medium and large dogs typically do well on the floor/ground.
Adult Owner: an adult owner must be present for the duration of all Housecall visits, including euthanasia appointments. If an adult owner is not present when Dr. McClure arrives at the home, the appointment will need to be rescheduled and the owner will be responsible for all travel fees associated with the missed appointment.
Euthanasia appointments: Owners can decide if they would like an exam done prior to euthanasia to determine quality of life. All owners will need to sign a 'consent to euthanize' form that states their animal has not bitten any person within the 10 days prior to euthanasia.
Care of the Body: You will have the option to bury your pet at home or have his/her body cremated. If you decide on cremation, there is an option to not have your pet's ashes returned to you (group cremation) OR to have your pet's ashes returned to you (private cremation). In the case of cremation (both group and private), Dr. McClure will take care of the transport of your pet from your home after the euthanasia.
Prescription Policy: If an outside prescription is requested or required, Dr. McClure will provide a handwritten prescription for any medication that needs to be filled by a pharmacy.
It will be the pet owner's responsibility to communicate with the pharmacy regarding their pet's prescription.
No online, faxed or phone prescriptions will be provided by Dr. McClure.
Vaccine Reactions/Food Allergies/Medical Conditions: please let Dr. McClure know if your pet has any underlying medical condition(s) or if he/she has ever had an adverse reaction to a previous vaccine (hives, vomiting/diarrhea immediately after the vaccine, excessive pain). Please also let Dr. McClure know if there are any food allergies (human or animal) in the home, as food treats may be used during the exam (i.e. cheese, peanut butter, etc.)
Rabies Vaccines: All patients 4 months of age or older will be required to stay up to date on their rabies vaccine to remain patients of Dr. McClure. This policy is in line with Illinois state law that mandates that all dogs and cats 4 months of age and older must be vaccinated for rabies. This is for the safety of the patient, client and veterinarian.
Heartworm Medication: It is recommended, but not required, that dogs stay on a Heartworm preventative year-round. If you choose to use Heartworm preventative, all dogs 7 months of age and older will need to have an annual heartworm screening test in order for preventative to be prescribed. This is a simple blood test that can be drawn during the housecall exam. Puppies younger than 7 months will be placed on monthly heartworm preventative and tested at their one-year-old exam and then annually thereafter. This policy is based on the recommendations of the American Heartworm Society.
Flea Preventatives/Dewormers: flea preventatives and dewormers will only be administered to active patients that have a current annual exam (i.e. an exam by Dr. McClure within the past 12 months).
Aggressive Animals: Due to minimal staffing at housecall appointments, examination of aggressive animals will be at the discretion of Dr. McClure. This is for the safety of the patient, client and veterinarian. Please disclose any aggression issues to Dr. McClure when scheduling the appointment. In some cases, pre-medication can help with patient anxiety/aggression. Owners will be responsible for travel and exam fees even if Dr. McClure is not able to fully examine the animal due to its aggression.
Payment Policy: Payment in full is due at the time of service--cash, check or credit card are accepted. I am happy to provide an estimate prior to scheduling the appointment.
Cancellation policy: Please let me know if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. You will be responsible for the Travel Fee if you cancel the appointment after I have arrived at your home OR if you are not at home for you scheduled appointment.
Kindness Counts: healthy relationships are built and maintained on open communication and mutual respect. As your veterinarian, I strive to treat my patients and clients with kindness while practicing high-quality medicine and maintaining my veterinary oath.
Dr. McClure reserves the right to end any client relationship in which there is a lack of open communication and mutual respect or in cases in which the owner's wishes do not line up with clinic policies. In cases such as this, you may let me know where to forward any pertinent patient records.
Emergency ClinicsTri-County Animal Emergency Clinic
1800 N Sterling Avenue, West Peoria, IL 309-672-1565 71 miles from Macomb Animal Emergency Clinic 1333 Wabash Ave #A, Springfield, IL 217-698-0870 85 miles from Macomb University of Illinois Small Animal Clinic 1008 W Hazelwood DR, Urbana, IL 217-333-5300 145 miles from Macomb |
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