Appointment Policy

Walk-in clients are welcome, however appointments are preferred. Emergency cases shall always receive top priority followed by patients with previously scheduled appointments.

Payment Policy

We require full payment at the time that services are rendered. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash and personal checks.

Patient Arrival Policy

For your protection, and that of others, all dogs must be on a leash and properly controlled while in the waiting area or exam rooms. 

All cats, birds, and other small animals must be presented in an appropriate carrier or on a leash. 

Policy on Avian Wing, Nail, and Beak Trims

We will not perform wing, nail, or beak trims on any birds unless they have had an examination by a doctor at Littleton Animal Hospital within the past year.  We require an examination for the safety of your pet.  Some birds may have underlying health problems that may go unnoticed (heart disease, respiratory disease, underlying bacterial infections, etc.).  The procedures required to groom our avian patients may be stressful to some birds.  If your bird has a health problem you are not aware of, he/she is more at risk for complications during one of these procedures. 

Cat Boarding Policy

All boarding cats must be currently vaccinated for rabies as well as feline distemper.  All cats must have tested negative for feline leukemia and outdoor cats must have a current leukemia vaccine.  Written proof of vaccinations and leukemia test results are required prior to boarding.  Cats with any type of infectious disease will not be boarded.  Our veterinarians and/or technicians will administer required medications if needed.  There will be a $1.00 fee per treatment.  All cats will be inspected for fleas, ticks, and mites.  If found, the cat will be treated at the owner's expense.  Cats will be fed high quality food such as Purina or Hill's.  If other diets are desired, the owner is responsible for bringing these to the hospital.  Personal belongings such as toys, blankets, and other items may be left with your cat to make his or her stay more comfortable.  Littleton Animal Hospital cannot be held responsible for loss of or damage to these items. 

Ferret Vaccination Protocol

A yearly rabies vaccine is required in all ferrets in the state of Massachusetts.  Because ferrets have a fairly high incidence of vaccine reactions, during the exam, the doctor will discuss the option of pre-medicating your ferret prior to vaccinations.  Pre-medicating will require extra time.  Both distemper and rabies vaccines may be given on the same day or during separate visits if requested by the owner.  If separate visits are requested, there will be a charge for each visit.  After your ferret receives its vaccines, you will be asked to observe your ferret in the waiting room for approximately 20 minutes.  Also plan to observe your ferret for the remainder of the day.  If the owner so chooses, the ferret can be hospitalized on the day of vaccination so that he/she can be observed for a reaction.  There will be an extra charge for hospitalization.  Ferret vaccinations can be scheduled in the mornings only on Mon, Wed, and Fri and anytime before 4 pm on Tues and Thurs.  No ferret vaccinations can be scheduled for Saturdays since we are not open in the afternoon to treat a possible vaccine reaction.

Fasting Before Appointments

We recommend that birds be fasted prior to their appointments. This will make the examination easier for the doctor. It will also be safer for the bird since stressed birds can regurgitate food and then inhale it, leading to pneumonia. Please pull your bird's food 3-4 hours before putting them in the car.

We also suggest that ferrets be fasted for approximately 4-6 hours prior to their appointments. We recommend annual bloodwork on ferrets and the glucose level is more accurate when the ferret has not eaten recently.

Surgery Policy

We perform surgeries in the mornings, Monday through Friday.  You will be instructed to fast your pet (unless it is a rabbit or guinea pig) the night before and drop him/her off at 8:30 am on the day of surgery.  You may choose to have a pre-surgical bloodwork panel performed on the day of surgery.  This will help to identify any conditions that may complicate anesthesia.  If your pet is over 8 years old, we require that a complete blood count, chemistry profile, and thyroid hormone level be performed no longer than 30 days prior to surgery.   

Estimates

We are happy to provide you with an individualized written estimate of any service to be performed. 

Euthanasia Policy

The doctors at Littleton Animal Hospital do not practice convenience euthanasia.  We will not euthanize a healthy animal that is potentially adoptable.  We do require an exam/consultation prior to euthanasia for animals we have not seen before.