FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long as Summit Dog & Cat Hospital been in operation? Does Dr. Dorney still own the hospital?
Summit Dog & Cat Hospital has been in operation at this location since 1923. The current building opened in 1997. Dr. Dorney still owns the hospital. We are family owned and operated since 1980.
Q: Are specialists available at Summit Dog & Cat Hospital?
Yes, Summit Dog & Cat Hospital offers radiology, ultrasonography, and surgery consultations performed by specialists on an appointment only basis.
Q: I just need a rabies shot. Do I need to pay an office visit?
Yes, New Jersey sate law requires any pet being administered a rabies shot must be seen by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will examine your pet to assure they are healthy enough to receive the vaccine. This is a Dr.'s visit NOT a tech visit. You will be charged an exam fee.
Q: Do you perform surgery?
Yes, in addition to performing routine procedures such as spaying, neutering, mass removals, and dentistry, we also have surgeons who schedule and perform orthopedic and major soft tissue surgeries.
Prior to surgery, your pet is not to eat or drink after midnight the night prior to surgery. Please note, if you feed or water your pet, surgery may be cancelled and you will be charged a $99 fee.
Q: Do you have grooming available?
Yes, Summit Dog & Cat Hospital offers full grooming services by appointment. Monday to Friday drop off between 8am and 8:30am. We will call you when your pet is ready to go home.
Q: Do you offer free town rabies anymore?
No, we stopped participating in the town's free rabies program in 2021.
Q:What products do you have available for sale?
We offer Royal Canin prescription diet for dogs and cats. We also offer products for the control of fleas, ticks and other parasites.
How long before my pet's remains will be returned to me?
You're pets remains NORMALLY arrive back to the office within 10 to 14 day's. We make no guarantee of this as we use an outside company. Pet Meadow comes to the hospital every Monday.
Q: Why do I need a physical examination to refill my pet's medication?
Even if your pet is taking a medication for life, your veterinarian must do a physical exam at least once a year to be sure there are no changes in your pet's condition. In some cases, a blood test may be needed to be sure your pet still requires the same dose of medication. Medication doses must be accurate to maintain your pet's health.
Observed clinical signs can be very similar, but have a very different cause, and require very different treatment. One example of this might be that your pet seems to have an itchy skin condition every year, and receives medication for it. However, if this time your pet has a medication, the symptoms might appear the same, but the same medication could actually spread the infection and make it worse. Another example might be that your pet is squinting and seems to have an eye infection, however, if your pet has scratched his eye, the medication would be different. You should never use eye creams or ointments without a visit to the veterinarian or you could damage your pet's eye.
Q: At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?
Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6-8 months of age. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether your pet is healthy enough to undergo the surgical procedure. Current vaccinations are required at the time of surgery. Also a pre-anesthetic blood screen is recommended for any pets prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.
Q: What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?
This is a blood test that is performed prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions, blood counts and clotting function of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.
Q: Why does my pet need to repeat blood work testing for certain medications?
Your pet's successful therapy depends on monitoring. This ensures that the medications are working as intended and that any possible side effects are being noted. You are your pet's health care advocate. Closely following your veterinarian's dosing instructions, immediately reporting any changes in your pet's attitude or appearance and adhering to the recommended lab testing schedule will ensure your pet is receiving the maximum benefit from therapeutic drug treatment.
Q: What is needed to sedate to groom my dog or cat if my pet isn't currently a client
Your pet must be seen by one of our veterinarians if you are new to the practice. Your core vaccines must also be up to date and emailed to us 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment: [email protected]
If your pet is 3 years or older we require lab work no more then 2 months old prior to your scheduled appointment. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made. This is for the safety and wellbeing of your beloved pet. You may call us if you have any questions prior to scheduling (908) 273-2200. We offer sedate to groom on Thursdays and Fridays with Lilly the groomer and Dr. Benn Doyle is the surgeon by appointment only. Drop off is 8am to 8:30am. No food no water the day prior to your grooming appointment past midnight. Groomers set their own fees. You may discuss the fee at drop-off directly with the groomer. You will sign a medical release for sedate to groom.
Q: May I walk in for a tech appointment or pedicure?
We require an appointment to see a technician. We keep a dedicated technician on daily for these appointments. You may call same day for a tech visit but we do require a scheduled appointment so we may keep the client's moving in a timely manner.
Q: I need a refill on medication
You may request a refill online through Pet Desk or by calling us (908) 273-2200. We require 24 to 48 hours notice so we may have your medication ready
Q: Do you charge a tech fee and why?
Pedicures are the ONLY service that we do not add a tech fee to. We no longer accept walk in tech appointments. You may call the same day to schedule but you must have a scheduled tech appointment. This is to ensure we keep the flow of the appointments moving in a timely manner.
Yes, we charge a tech fee. We make sure we have a dedicated technician for all tech appointments on staff at all times. A tech visit is a courtesy to our clients. The fee is less then seeing a Dr. and the wait time is less. You may call same day to schedule a tech visit. You must have an appointment.
Q: I have been a client for over 20 years. Can my prices be grandfathered in?
Unfortunately prices have increased over the last several years across the nation. We are unable to grandfather any prices as the coast of doing business has gone up for the hospital also.
Q:What is the non cash fee and how can I avoid paying it?
The non cash fee is 3.99%. Summit Dog and Cat Hospital is charged a fee to process credit cards. The fees are so high we are unable to offer this courtesy any longer to our clients. You may pay by check with proper ID if you are a current client or cash to avoid the 3.99% fee
Q: I'm a foster for a rescue group and want my fosters medical records
We do not provide any medical records to fosters. You must deal with the rescue group directly. The rescue owns the pet therefore we deal only with the rescue directly.
Q:Why does my pet need to be on heartworm medication all year round?
Heartworm disease is transmitted by infected mosquitos. Your pet should be on heartworm prevention all year round because we cannot say with 100% certainty when the first mosquito is going to come out and when the last mosquito will die. Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states, no matter the climate. The heartworm cycle takes up to 6 months for adults to develop and for us to notice clinical disease in our pets. So it is important to give prevention all year round. In addition, most heartworm prevention (Sentinel, Heartgard) also help protect your pets against intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms.