What to Expect at a Veterinary Appointment
Knowing what to expect at your first appointment will help make the process more pleasant for both you and your pet.
Get Settled
Please arrive approximately 10 minutes early to fill out our New Patient Form. To save a bit of time, you can complete the New Patient Form online in advance.
Meet Your Veterinarian
A member of our team will review your pet's history and discuss their issues. You can ask any questions you want, and we'll dedicate time to answering them.
Examination, Diagnosis & Treatment
We will offer you a diagnosis and treatment options after evaluating your pet. Your veterinarian and you will collaborate to develop a treatment plan for your pet.
After your visit, we will create a detailed report of our diagnosis, the discussion we had with you, and your pet's treatment plan. We will keep this information on hand for whenever you need it.
Our Pet-Care Philosophy
We are passionate about preventative care, client education and providing comprehensive emergency and rehabilitative care to New York pets. We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art veterinary service to you and your pet with the utmost care and compassion.
Hospital FAQs
Learn more about our office policies, payment options, and appointment booking by reading through our hospital FAQs.
- What types of payment options are available?
Payment in full is expected at the time services are provided or upon discharge of your pet. We accept payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
- Are there payment plans available for my pet’s care?
We are proud to offer CareCredit as a financing option. They offer an easy application process that will give you results in minutes.
- 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 pet. However, unforeseen circumstances may arise that impact your final bill.
Before any further treatment, we will always discuss our written estimate with all customers before they leave our facility and will request a deposit based on our estimate.
- 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 pet.
In the event that your pet needs emergency care during our regular business hours, please contact us right away.
- 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.
- What types of animals do you treat?
We take care of domestic cats and dogs.
- Where can I purchase my pet's prescription and food?
You can purchase all the medications and specialty food your pet needs either via our online store or our in-house pharmacy.
- 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 pet’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 pet is discharged.
- What are the fees associated with an emergency visit?
All emergency exams need a deposit payment. After the staff and physicians have evaluated your pet, you will be given a treatment estimate to help you decide on a treatment plan.
If further hospitalization, diagnostics or surgery are required, a deposit is required upfront, with payment in full due when your pet is discharged.
- Can you help with my pet insurance?
We’re happy to help you fill out pet insurance forms for your pet’s visit.
Pet Owner Resources
Here are some helpful links for your pet's health.
New Patients Welcome
Rivergate Veterinary Clinic is accepting new patients! Our experienced vets are passionate about the health of New York companion animals. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.