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What to Expect

Your First Visit: What to Expect at Silver Leaf

What to Expect

When visiting our clinic, you can expect compassionate care and clear communication every step of the way. Our FAQs provide quick answers to common questions, while our Patient Forms make check-in faster and easier. We also provide access to Vet Source, a convenient online resource for our clients. For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. If payment plans are needed, we also accept CareCredit.

Patient Forms

New Client Form

Drop Off Form

Your Pet’s Visit: What to Know

For Puppies

  • Prevention & Screening: Heartworm prevention, flea and tick prevention, intestinal parasite screening, and a complete physical exam (checking for ear mites, fleas, heart murmurs, and more).
  • Owner Guidance: Discussion of important topics such as crate training, socialization, meal feeding, and dental care (teeth brushing).
  • Vaccinations: Booster vaccines every 3 weeks until 16 weeks of age. See the Puppy & Kitten Vaccine Schedule below for details.
  • Spay/Neuter: Recommended at 6 months of age unless a medical reason suggests postponement (e.g., juvenile vaginitis, hooded vulva). Estimates can vary depending on your pet’s weight category.
  • Booster Visits: Exams are not required for booster appointments unless requested, which helps keep costs down. However, a doctor is always available if needed.

For Kittens

  • Prevention & Screening: Vaccinations, intestinal parasite screening, and FeLV/FIV (feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus) testing if elected.
  • Vaccinations: Booster vaccines every 3 weeks until 16 weeks of age. See the Puppy & Kitten Vaccine Schedule below for details.
  • Weight Management & Behavior: We recommend feeding a wet-food–only diet to support healthy growth and prevent obesity. Avoiding dry food helps maintain proper hydration and urinary health. Provide appropriate litter box training early and ensure multiple scratching posts are available to encourage natural behaviors and protect your home.

Puppy & Kitten Vaccine Schedule

Kitten
  • 7 Weeks: FVRCCP, FIV/FeLV/Heartworm Triple Snap test, fecal flotation, heartworm & flea/tick prevention.
  • 10 Weeks: FVRCCP
  • 13 Weeks: FVRCCP, FeLV (non-core)
  • 16 Weeks: FVRCCP, FeLV (non-core), Rabies
Puppy
  • 7 Weeks: DHP, fecal flotation, flea/tick/heartworm prevention.
  • 10 Weeks: DHP, Canine Influenza (non-core)
  • 13 Weeks: DHP, Canine Influenza (non-core), Leptospirosis, Bordetella (non-core)
  • 16 Weeks: DHP, Leptospirosis, Rabies

Note: Non-core vaccines are given when a pet’s lifestyle or environment puts them at greater risk.

About Non-Core Vaccines

  • Feline Leukemia (FeLV): Protects against a virus spread through saliva (shared food/water bowls, grooming, etc.). FeLV can cause severe illness and death, and there is no cure. It is recommended for cats that go outdoors, tend to escape, or may be exposed to strays. Required for Silver Leaf Boarding & Grooming.
  • Canine Influenza: A severe, sometimes fatal form of kennel cough. Recommended for dogs in air-contact with others (boarding, grooming, dog parks, community potty areas). Required for Silver Leaf Boarding & Grooming.
  • Bordetella: A bacterial cause of kennel cough. Recommended for dogs in shared airspace with others. Required for Silver Leaf Boarding & Grooming.
Important Notes:
  • If pets arrive for boarding or grooming overdue on vaccines, Silver Leaf Animal Hospital can administer them at check-in (with owner approval).
  • Vaccines given by breeders are not recognized, due to strict requirements for handling and storage temperatures.

For Sick Pets (Non-Emergency)

  • Evaluation: Complete history, physical exam, and vital signs assessment.
  • Diagnostics: Explanation of recommended tests, if any, and estimates provided upon request.
  • Communication: Test results and next steps are clearly explained. Owners are encouraged to ask questions, and we make sure they are fully answered before you leave.

For Emergencies (Life-Threatening)

  • Immediate Triage: Please let the front desk staff know right away. We will prioritize your pet’s care and begin emergency triage immediately.

For Anesthetic or Sedated Procedures

  • Fasting Instructions: No food after 9 p.m. the night before and no water after 6 a.m. the day of the procedure (exceptions apply for exotic surgical patients).
  • Arrival Time: Plan to arrive between 7:30 and 8 a.m. The receptionist will send paperwork the day before; completing it in advance speeds up check-in. Additional questions may be asked depending on the type of procedure.
  • Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork: Offered with every procedure but only required if your pet has preexisting conditions that may affect anesthesia. Available panels include:
    • CBC: Evaluates red and white blood cells to rule out infection.
    • Chemistry: Checks general organ function.
    • Coag Panel: Checks your pet’s blood clotting ability to ensure normal clotting function before surgical procedures that may involve bleeding.

Appointments & Wait Times

  • Scheduling: Appointments are scheduled in 15–20 minute intervals.
  • Efficiency: We strive to keep wait times short and are constantly working to improve efficiency.
  • Delays: At times a wait may be necessary, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.

Helpful Tips for Your First Visit

  • New Clients & Patients: New client and patient forms are sent 24–48 hours after scheduling an appointment. Completing these ahead of time helps streamline your visit.
  • Bring any previous vaccination records or medical history.
  • Share information about any heartworm, flea, or tick prevention your pet is currently on.
  • We encourage all pet owners to read our reviews—both positive and negative—for an honest perspective on our care.

Financing & Payment

We accept all major credit cards, cash, check, and CareCredit.

Your Questions Answered

Silver Leaf Animal Hospital specializes in the care of small animals, including dogs, cats and exotic pets such as birds, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. Their experienced veterinary team is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for your furry companions.

The hospital provides a wide range of veterinary services, including:

Wellness exams

Vaccinations

Dentistry

Dermatology

Parasite prevention

Spay and neuter procedures

Surgical services

Preventative medications

These services are designed to ensure the health and well-being of your pet throughout all life stages.

It’s recommended that pets come in for a wellness exam at least once a year. Senior pets or those with ongoing health issues may need more frequent visits. Regular check-ups help detect potential health concerns early and keep your pet on track with vaccinations and preventative care.

Silver Leaf Animal Hospital is open: Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed

To schedule an appointment, you can call the hospital directly at (405) 794-7771. They are currently accepting new patients and look forward to meeting you and your pet.

Yes, the hospital provides an online Pet Portal where clients can access their pet's medical records, request appointments, and manage prescriptions. This convenient tool helps you stay connected with your pet's health care team. We also have a veterinarian approved online pharmacy that provides prescriptions straight to your door.

We accept all major credit cards, cash, check, and CareCredit.