Q: I don’t have a referral to your clinic, can I still make an appointment?
A: Yes! However, we do ask that you notify your family veterinarian of your visit so they will know to expect a report from one of the doctors. When you call The Sams Clinic staff will help you decide which doctor would be the best fit for your pet.
Q: If my pet needs an emergency or urgent appointment but has never been seen at The Sams Clinic before can you fit them in?
A: The Sams Clinic is not an emergency hospital and can be limited in scheduling certain more urgent cases. We suggest calling our Clinic for information about your pet’s current condition and may recommend you to another facility for your pet’s care. If you are a current client and the pet/patient has been seen by one of our doctors recently we will always try our best to see the pet as soon as possible. (Our clinic hours are Monday - Thursday 8 am- 5 pm and Fridays until noon. After-hour answering service is available for recent client urgent messaging)
Q: Can I make an appointment for an annual checkup and vaccinations at your clinic?
A: No. We are a specialty orthopedic, pain management, and rehabilitation clinic only. There are many wonderful general practice veterinarians in the area. To help you find the right doctor for your pet, you might try asking your friends and family for a referral.
Q: I have stairs at home. Will my dog be able to go up and down the stairs after surgery?
A: Yes! In most cases, we will fit a harness to your pet after surgery. This harness will allow you to assist your pet up and down stairs, into and out of the car, or over uneven ground.
Q: Why did the Doctor recommend the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) to treat my dog’s torn cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)?
A: In Dr. Sams’ experience, the TPLO has provided the best short and long-term results for our patients. In his opinion, this is because the TPLO does the best job of stabilizing the stifle (knee) joint, giving our patients the best outcome. In some cases, Dr. Sams may recommend a different surgery for your pet based on size, weight, age, and other factors. Considering all of these elements, he will recommend the knee stabilization surgery he feels will bring your pet the very best result.
Q: Since they will already be under anesthesia, can my pet have a dental cleaning at the time of surgery?
A: No. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer this service as dental cleanings have the potential to release bacteria into the bloodstream and could increase the risk of post-operative infection.