Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about our services. If you have additional questions that are not covered here, please feel free to give us a call at (860)867-6367 or email us at appointments@coastalvalleyvet.com.

What are the advantages of a Mobile Veterinary Service?

Mobile veterinary medicine is an extremely convenient option for you and your pets! We can care for an entire household of pets in one visit, and see many species - so the same visit can accommodate the cats and dogs in the house as well as the goats and alpacas in the barn. Geriatric pets can be seen in the comfort of their own home without frequent visits to a clinic, as well as fearful animals that may react negatively to the stress of transportation and a new environment. Families with young children don't have to worry about handling wandering tots and energetic pups at the same time - just keep everybody at home! A mobile veterinary appointment also eliminates the potential exposure to other sick animals. Finally, if the Doctor is running late, you don't have to wait in a loud, stressful waiting room, but rather in the comfort of your very own home!

What are your hours?

Routine appointments are normally seen between the hours of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Appointment times outside of these hours are available, though an additional charge may apply. There are no weekend hours for routine exams; weekend appointments are reserved for emergency and urgent care needs, including hospice and at-home euthanasia. If your pet has an emergency and you are a current client, please call us and you can schedule an emergency appointment with a doctor on-call; Green Valley Veterinary Services shares our emergency calls for large animals, or you may be referred to a local emergency clinic for small animals. Emergency calls are subject to an emergency call fee. We also offer services for at-home euthanasia.

How are appointments scheduled?

In general, an appointment start time is scheduled within a 30-minute window; if the Doctor is going to be more than 15 minutes outside of this window, you will be called and offered a reschedule if necessary. Unfortunately emergencies are inevitable and take priority over routine appointments; if an emergency interferes with your scheduled appointment, every effort will be made to see your pet that same day, but your appointment may have to be rescheduled to a different day. If you have an emergency, the first step will be over-the-phone triage (determination of the nature and urgency of the emergency); if it is determined that the emergency is beyond the capabilities of a mobile service to address adequately, you may be referred immediately to a full-service veterinary hospital. If you are given an emergency appointment, an emergency fee will apply if the call is outside of normal business hours (9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday), any time during the weekend, or any time a regularly scheduled appointment has to be rescheduled.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, Mastercard and Visa.

What are your fees?

We charge a mileage fee ($3.80 per mile from Old Lyme with a $60 minimum; this fee is calculated using Google maps and based on the mileage one-way) and a fee for professional time ($190/hour, $60 minimum) rather than an individual exam fee. All animals receiving a vaccine must be examined first to ensure they are not feverish or showing any other signs of illness that may preclude vaccination. The professional time charge can be minimized by having your pet or farm animal ready to be examined before we arrive; cats can be shut in a small room or bathroom if they would otherwise be difficult to catch, and farm animals should be haltered and kept in a stall or small paddock so that time is not spent chasing after them. Most routine vaccines range in price from $15 to $30. Other charges will depend on what is required for your pet which cannot always be determined prior to our arrival. A detailed estimate can be provided after a physical exam, and together we can create a plan that works best for your and your pets.

Can I make payments?

Payment is required at the time of service. Unfortunately we do not have the staff or the administrative support to provide billing services.

At what age can I have my pet spayed or neutered? Can you do this procedure? 

Spaying or neutering for cats and dogs can be done at approximately 6 months of age. Your pet is given an exam prior to surgery to help determine whether he or she 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 any anesthetic procedure. CVVS is not equipped to perform surgical procedures in the field other than castration and emergency cesarean sections for farm animals. See Surgical FAQs for more information. 

Do you board pets or offer mobile grooming?

No, we are a mobile facility and do not have the capability to board animals. We also do not offer mobile grooming. The names and numbers of some mobile groomers in the area are: The Dogfather (203) 907-3626; Pet Styles in Motion (860) 859-7533; Curb Side Pet Spa (860) 970-2300.