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  • Animals Have Allergies, Too!

    March 23, 2023

    Zoo News | Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Blog

    Nutmeg, our 16-year-old female beaver and mother to Butternut, recently visited the Zoo vet for her annual physical exam. … At a follow-up exam, veterinary dermatologists Dr. Danielle Wyatt and Dr. Danielle Tulloss performed a skin allergy test and confirmed that Nutmeg is allergic to trees, grasses, dogs, cats, and even humans. Skin testing for animals uses the same techniques as skin testing for humans.

You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers

FAQ

  • No! We do take a large number of referrals from veterinarians, however, a referral is not required for our doctors to assess your pet.

    • You may feed your pet and remain on all current medications, but DCFA asks that you do not bathe your pet within 5-7 days of this visit.

    • The doctor will review your pet’s medical records prior to your appointment but requires that each pet have a “new client form” available prior to each initial appointment/evaluation. If a “new client form” is not obtained from you then DCFA will be required to reschedule your pet’s appointment. This ensures a complete history for our doctors and allows for better care of your pet.

    • Please do not allow your pet to meet other animals in the hospital and DCFA will require your pet to be on a leash provided by the clinic. This is to ensure your pet’s safety and the safety of the other patients. If your pet is known to be aggressive towards humans or other animals, please notify us prior to your appointment so that our staff can adequately prepare for your pet’s examination. If your pet needs sedation for any examinations with your primary veterinarian, please contact us for further recommendations.

    • For more information, please visit our “What to expect” form (hyperlink please) and “New client forms” (hyperlink please) on our website.

    • Please note that if you are unhappy with DCFA’s policies then you may ask to speak with one of the doctors or Rose. We will not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse towards our staff.

  • No - we do not perform procedures on patients unless specified otherwise. You may feed your pet and continue their current medications at the initial visit.

  • No - our doctors must perform a full evaluation on your pet prior to any procedures. This is to ensure that all pets have a doctor-patient relationship prior to any sedation or anesthesia.

    • DCFA only performs food trials for allergy testing and does not provide any serum or intradermal food allergy testing.

    • Food allergies are often required to be ruled out prior to any environmental allergy testing and this is at the doctor’s professional opinion and discretion.

    • Due to the high influx in patient volume, we require deposits to ensure patient evaluation time is secured.

    • If the appointment is canceled more than 48 business hours ahead of the appointment time, then it can be refunded. If the appointment is canceled in less than 48 business hours, it will not be refunded.

    • CareCredit can be used for deposits but can only be done in-person with verification of identification (i.e. Driver’s License, Passport, etc.)

    • Unfortunately, DCFA is unable to accept payment plans.

    • DCFA accepts cash, check, and credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover)

      • WE DO NOT ACCEPT AMERICAN EXPRESS

    • We accept CareCredit

      • If you are interested in this option, please visit carecredit.com

      • CareCredit is a third-party vendor and DCFA does not have control over how much money each client is approved for.

  • DCFA provides dermatologic veterinary services to a large area of the Olympic peninsula and new patients may be seen in 1-3 months, while rechecks can often be seen in 4-8 weeks.

  • It depends on your pet’s needs! For a full, comprehensive visit, one of our doctors will speak with you directly. For quick rechecks and treatments (such as allergen injections, Cytopoint injections, bloodwork, etc.), you will speak directly with one of our assistants or technicians during this doctor-directed visit but are only able to speak to clients directly during scheduled doctor appointments. you will speak directly with one of our assistants or technicians. Depending on the circumstances, the doctor may examine your pet and/or make adjustments to their treatment plan. You will only speak directly with the support staff during these appointments.

    • DCFA requires a phone, text, or e-mail communication at least 48-72 business hours prior to cancellation. There is a $50 cancellation fee for late appointments, “no-show” appointments, and cancellations.

    • Please note that if you are unhappy with DCFA’s policies then you may ask to speak with the Operations Assistant or Practice Manager. We will not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse towards our staff.

    • If you are requesting a prescription to be refilled within our clinic, we ask that you allow for 48-72 business hours.

      • Allergen immunotherapy is made specifically for each individual pet and pre-payment is required prior to refills.

    • If you are using an outside pharmacy for prescription refills, you must ask the pharmacist to contact DCFA directly for refills. Unfortunately, DCFA does not have any control over outside pharmacy refills and must subscribe to their policies. This includes online pharmacies as well.

    • There are many drugs that can alter blood and organ functions and it is imperative to follow the doctor’s orders regarding testing; all tests are being recommended in the best interest of your pet’s health. DCFA is unable to refill medications if bloodwork is required but not yet performed. You may schedule a bloodwork recheck with us or you may have this done with your primary veterinarian and sent to our doctors for review.

    • Our doctors are required by Washington State law, RCW 18.92.100, to examine your pet yearly to continue providing care and prescriptions for pets. This includes allergen-specific immunotherapy.

    • Please note that if you are unhappy with DCFA’s policies then you may ask to speak with the Operations Assistant or Practice Manager. We will not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse towards our staff.

  • Allergies are not curable and require long term management. While allergen-specific immunotherapy is the most helpful treatment it often does not alleviate clinical signs altogether. Please speak with the doctor for more information and recommendations regarding your pet.

EMERGENCY REFERRALS

SPECIALIST REFERRALS

REFERRING VETS

EMERGENCY REFERRALS • SPECIALIST REFERRALS • REFERRING VETS •

Veterinary Specialists

Our dermatologists work closely with a variety of specialists and may recommend that your pet be evaluated by the following:

Emergency Veterinarians

If your pet is experiencing an emergency, please contact an emergency veterinarian immediately:

Puget Sound Veterinary Specialists

1730 Pottery Ave, Suite #120 Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-871-9651

Olympia Veterinary Specialists

902 Union Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501
360-339-3596

Olympia Pet Emergency

4441 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, WA 98503
360-706-1446

Summit Veterinary Referral Center

2505 S. 80th Street, Tacoma WA 98409
253-983-1114

BluePearl Veterinary Hospital

2510 84th St. S, Ste. 30D, Lakewood, WA 98499
253-474-0791

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