Frequently Asked Questions

We've put together a list of questions that most pet owners have for us.  If you have a question that is not answered here, please call us at 708-448-6600 and we will be happy to answer your question for you.

1. What are the Hospital hours?
Our hospital is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 7:00pm. On Saturdays we are open from 8:00am until 3:00pm. The clinic is closed on Sunday.

2. Do I need to have an appointment?
Yes, patients are seen by appointment. 

3. What types of animals do you provide treatment for?
Palos Animal Hospital provides medical care for dogs and cats. 

4. What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Check, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express

5. Can I make payments?
Payment is required at the time of service.

6. At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered?
Spaying or neutering can be done at approximately 6 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. A pre-anesthetic blood screen is also recommended prior to undergoing anesthesia and surgery.

7.  What is the pre-anesthetic blood screening?
This is a blood test that is run here in the clinic prior to surgery. It tests the organ functions and red and white blood cell counts of your pet. The pre-anesthetic blood screening is done to assure safety during surgery and the ability to heal following surgery.

8.  Is it a good idea to let my pet have at least one litter?
No, there is no advantage to letting your pet have one litter. However there are plenty of advantages to having your pet spayed or neutered. These advantages include decreasing the chances of breast tumors later in life, decreasing the chance of cystic ovaries and uterine infections later in life, decreasing the desire to roam the neighborhood, decreasing the incidence of prostate cancer later in life, helping prevent spraying and marking, and also decreases the surplus of unwanted puppies and kittens. Please see the link to "Spaying and Neutering" for more information.

9.  Do you board pets?
Yes, we do boarding for our clients, both for dogs and cats. Dogs must be up to date on rabies, distemper, and bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines.  Cats must be up to date on rabies and feline distemper vaccines. 

10.  What are your kennels like?
Our dog kennels are all indoor. The dogs are walked 3 times daily while they are boarding.  You have the option of giving permission for your dog to be walked outside during his or her stay, or if you would prefer that your pet stay indoors at all times.  Dogs who do not have permission to be walked outside are "walked" inside in a separate run area that is cleaned thoroughly after each pet.  The cat boarders are kept in a separate ward, away from the dogs. Blankets and food are provided for our boarders, but you are always welcome to bring your own.

11. My pet needs daily treatments and medication.  Can he or she receive medical treatments while boarding?
Yes.  Both oral medications such as thyroid supplements and injectible medications such as insulin can be administered to your dog or cat while he or she is boarding. 

12. Why does my Chihuahua get the same amount of vaccine as a Great Dane?
Vaccines are targeted at the cells of a dog's immune system.  With some slight variations due to age and breed, all dogs have the same number of cells in their immune system that will be stimulated by vaccines and provide protection against disease. To put it simply, even though dogs have differences in body size and weight, they all have the same "size" immune system.  This is why both big and small dogs are given the same amount of vaccine.