Q: What are your hours?
Monday, Tues, Thurs and Friday 8 AM-6 PM
Wednesday 8-12 PM
Saturday 8 AM-1 PM. We are closed on Sundays.
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Care Credit Payment Plans
Q: Do I need a prescription to buy my pet’s flea and parasite control?
Some flea and parasite control products need a prescription. Discuss this with our staff.
Q: How many doses of each product are there in a package of flea control?
Trifexis (an amazing new oral medication which controls fleas, heartworm and interstinal parasites)= 6 monthly doses
Comfortis (Oral Flea Control) = 6 monthly doses
Advantage Multi = 6 monthly doses (or single)
Vectra 3D (Topical Flea and Tick Control)= 6 monthly doses (or single)
Capstar = 6 monthly doses (or single)
Q: Do I need a prescription for my dog’s heartworm medication?
Yes. Heartworm medication is available by prescription only. We can dispense it to you if your pet has had a full physical exam and heartworm test by one of our doctors within the last year.
Q: What makes my pet eligible for vaccines given by a technician?
If your pet has had a complete physical exam by one of our doctors within the last year and is free of medical or behavioral restrictions (for example: past vaccine reactions or an aggressive pet requiring sedation), your pet is eligible to have one of our technicians give his or her vaccines by appointment. Our reception staff will happily answer any additional questions you may have regarding this option.
Q: flea and parasite control?
Some flea and parasite control products need a prescription. Discuss this with our staff.
Q: Can my pet have a technician appointment on a Saturday?
Yes, but only if your pet’s annual exams are current. This is to insure the health of your pets before any vaccines are given.
Q: I am taking my pet on an airplane. What documentation do I need?
We advise that you always contact the particular airline you will be traveling on for specific instructions; however, most airlines require a health certificate, which we can provide for you. To obtain a health certificate, your pet must be examined on the day the certificate is issued and the certificate is then signed by the doctor.
While health certificates are technically valid for 10 days, many airlines request that your certificate be issued with 30 days of travel. International travel requirements vary by country and it is your responsibility to contact their consulate and get all appropriate documentation prior to travel and bring this with you to your visit. Keep in mind some requirements must be met OVER SIX MONTHS prior to your travel date for some countries.
Please keep this in mind when scheduling an appointment with us.
Q: Can I buy a dog license from you?
No—if you live in the City of Huntington Beach, licenses must be purchased by calling Animal Control at (714) 935-6300.
Q: At what age should I consider spaying or neutering my pet?
We recommend spaying or neutering at five to six months of age.
Q: What is preanesthetic bloodwork and why do you require it?
Preanesthetic blood work is an important whenever your pet requires sedation or anesthesia. A preanesthetic panel is a blood panel focusing on red blood cells, kidney and liver function run here at our hospital within 30 days of the procedure. Because the kidneys and the liver aid in the body’s processing of the anesthesia or sedative, it is important to make sure they are healthy before we put a patient under for a procedure. Anesthesia or sedation always involves a risk. It is important to understand that there is no way to completely eliminate that risk, but a preanesthetic panel can minimize it significantly.
We require preanesthetic bloodwork in any pet going under anesthesia or sedation. A smaller panel is required for animals under 2 years of age while a larger, more comprehensive panel is required for pets over 2 years of age.
Q: My dog or cat is having blood drawn. Does he or she need to fast?
Yes. We recommend a 12 hour fast before all blood collection appointments in dogs, cats and ferrets (in adult pets over 1 year of age only). Rabbits, guinea pigs and birds are not to be fasted. Water does not need to be withheld. A member of our reception staff will advise you if any additional instructions need to be followed before a specific test when the appointment is made.
Q: My dog or cat is having a surgical procedure performed. Does he or she need to fast beforehand?
Yes. We recommend an 8 hour fast before all procedures requiring anesthesia or sedation.
Q: Does my cat have to be in a carrier when I bring him or her into the hospital?
Yes! For the safety of our patients, clients, and staff, we require that all of our feline patients be in carriers. If you don’t have a carrier, we would be happy to provide you with one.
Q: Can I be billed for costs incurred during my pet’s visit?
No. Payment is expected at the time services are rendered, and we do not bill. Your understanding is appreciated.
Q: I have a new puppy. At what age do you recommend beginning puppy shots?
We generally recommend beginning puppy vaccines at 8 weeks of age. A vaccine schedule specific to your puppy will be made at the time of his or her first visit based on their age or what vaccines they may have already received.
Q: I have a new kitten. At what age do you recommend beginning kitten shots?
We generally recommend beginning kitten vaccines at 8 weeks of age. A vaccine schedule specific to your kitten and its planned lifestyle will be made at the time of his or her first visit.
Q: How often does my adult dog require shots?
Most adult dogs receive vaccinations for DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Parvo) every 2 years and Bordetella (commonly called “kennel cough”) every year. Rabies boosters are given every three years. Please note that the first rabies vaccine your dog ever receives will only last one year. Subsequent boosters will last three years.
Q: How often does my adult cat require shots?
Most adult cats receive vaccinations for rabies every 3 years. Vaccinations for FVRCP (upper respiratory disease and panleukopenia) every 2 years and Feline Leukemia every year.
Q: My cat is completely indoors. Does he or she still need to be vaccinated?
We recommend that indoor cats receive regular FVRCP vaccinations even if they are strictly indoors due to airborne transmission. Leukemia and rabies vaccinations are optional but not usually necessary, unless the pet is exposed to indoor/outdoor cats, boards or gets groomed.
Q: My dog is boarding with you. What vaccines does he or she require?
All boarding dogs must have proof of current DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies administered by a licensed veterinarian with a current annual exam.
Q: My cat is boarding with you. What vaccines does he or she require?
All boarding cats must be current on FVRCP and a current annual exam. FELV and Rabies may be required also depending on your cat’s lifestyle.
Q. My older or chronically ill pet is having a procedure done that requires anesthesia or sedation. Are there extra steps taken to help ensure my pet’s safety during the procedure?
Pets that are seven years of age or older are considered geriatric; animals age at a faster rate than humans. Geriatric dogs and cats, like elderly people, are at a higher risk for complications under anesthesia. Our hospital requires that extra precautions are taken during any anesthetic procedure on a geriatric animal, particularly if the patient has any history of chronic or serious medical conditions, such as cardiac or renal (kidney) abnormalities.
Your pet will have a catheter placed prior to the procedure and fluids administered during the procedure to assist the body with maintaining blood pressure and vital functions. The catheter is also a precaution to help speed medication to the circulatory system should an emergency arise during any procedure. A chest radiograph (x-ray), electrocardiogram (ECG) or echocardiogram may also be required if your pet has known significant heart disease. Additionally, a special anesthetic called propofol may be used to further minimize the risk taken with anesthesia. Dr. Hill can discuss these procedures with you before your pet’s procedure. It is always important to remember that there is no way to completely eliminate the risks of anesthesia, but measures like fluids, a catheter, vital signs monitoring and Propofol can significantly minimize those risks.
Q: My dog or cat is boarding with you. Can I pick him or her up on a Sunday?
No. We are not open on Sundays and therefore have no reception staff available to release your pet on a Sunday.
Q: I am considering boarding my dog at your facility. What does that entail?
Your dog or cat will be kept in a roomy cage of the appropriate size; larger dogs are kept in runs. The cages are located indoors. Dogs are walked two to three times a day for elimination purposes. If your own food is not supplied, we feed Iams Low-Res Prescription diet for intestinal health. We provide bedding and dishes. Please call ahead for reservations as we are often booked up well in advance for boarding (especially on holidays).
Q: Who is the current owner of the hospital?
Dr. Annmarie Hill who purchased the ACCHB on February 14, 2007. Dr. Neil Boodman is now retired from ACCHB after many years of dedicated service.
Q: Do you see exotic pets?
Yes! Dr. Hill has had extensive additional training and continuing education specifically targed at non-traditional pets such as pocket pets, birds and reptiles, and had clinical rotations at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago during her veterinary studies. Dr. Hill has also provided veterinary services for the Wetlands & Wildlife Rehabilitation treating all forms of waterfowl, squirrels, opossums and more!