FAQS & Policies

Onalaska Animal Hospital is a privately owned practice. We are not affiliated with a corporate or private equity group, which allows us to make decisions based on what is best for our patients, clients, and community.

We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM by appointment. We are closed on weekends.

For after-hours concerns, please visit our Emergency Info page for guidance and available resources.

Yes. We welcome new clients and appreciate the opportunity to care for your pet.

Appointments may be scheduled online, through the PetDesk app, or by calling or texting 608-668-6777. Our team is happy to help you find a time that works best for you and your pet.

Please call us as soon as possible so we can help determine the best next step.

If you arrive 10 minutes or more late, a $15 late fee may apply, and your appointment may need to be shortened, worked into the schedule, or rescheduled depending on availability and your pet's needs.

To help us prepare for your visit, please complete the New Client Registration Form and New Pet Registration Form available on our Forms page prior to your appointment.

Please bring any previous veterinary records, a list of current medications or supplements, and any questions or concerns you would like to discuss. This helps us provide the most thorough and personalized care possible.

We encourage you to visit our Fear Free page for helpful tips before and after your visit.

You are welcome to bring your pet's favorite treats or a familiar toy from home. With your permission, we may also offer treats during the visit. When appropriate, arriving a little hungry can help pets feel more comfortable accepting treats and engaging with our team.

Please give pre-visit medications at least 90 minutes before your scheduled appointment, unless otherwise directed.

These medications help reduce fear, anxiety, and stress and support a safer, more positive experience for your pet and our team.

To help ensure a safe and successful visit, please give all pre-visit medications as directed. If they are not given, we may need to reschedule your pet's appointment.

Our goal is to provide the safest, calmest, and most stress-free experience possible for your pet.

A valid Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) exists when a veterinarian has examined your pet within the past 12 months and is able to make informed medical decisions and provide appropriate follow-up care.

A valid VCPR is required for prescribing medications, providing medical advice, and ensuring your pet receives safe, appropriate, and individualized care.

Yes. Annual exams are important for early detection of health concerns and help maintain a valid VCPR so we can continue to care for your pet appropriately.

A wellness exam focuses on preventive care and overall health for pets that are doing well. A sick exam focuses on diagnosing and treating a specific concern or change in your pet's condition.

Not always. Depending on your pet's needs, a separate wellness exam may still be recommended to ensure all aspects of their health are addressed.

Annual heartworm testing is required for dogs receiving heartworm prevention products, in accordance with the American Heartworm Society.

Puppies may begin heartworm prevention products prior to testing but should follow a recommended testing schedule. Dogs over 7 months of age should be tested before starting heartworm prevention products.

Yes. Annual testing remains important, as missed doses, vomiting after administration, or product failure can occur.

Yes. Giving heartworm prevention products year-round helps avoid gaps in protection and supports consistent, effective care.

Yes. Ticks may be active whenever temperatures rise above freezing, and fleas can persist indoors. Lyme disease is also common in our region.

Flea and tick products are important, but they are not 100% effective. The Lyme vaccine provides an additional layer of protection against disease.

Refills may be requested by calling our office, through the PetDesk app, or via our online pharmacy.

Prescription refills require veterinarian approval and may require an exam and/or testing.

Please allow 24 to 48 hours for refill processing. A member of our team will notify you when your prescription is ready for pickup.

We ask that you plan refills accordingly so there is adequate time to complete any necessary exams or testing and to avoid missed doses.

We no longer work directly with third-party pharmacies due to concerns regarding product sourcing, storage, and quality control, as well as occasional discrepancies that can impact patient safety.

Yes. A $10 administrative fee applies for written prescriptions requested for third-party online pharmacies.

The PetDesk app helps you stay connected with your pet's care between visits.

Please download the PetDesk app here.

With PetDesk, you can:

• Message our team
• Request appointments and refills
• Receive reminders
• Access the Learning Library
• Track your Paw Points (Onalaska Animal Hospital's loyalty rewards program)

Yes. Please do not give any food after 10 PM the night before surgery unless otherwise directed. Water is allowed.

Please give medications with a small amount of food unless otherwise advised. Let our team know what was given at intake.

Yes. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork is required within two weeks of surgery.

This allows our doctors to assess your pet's organ function before anesthesia and tailor anesthetic protocols to your pet's individual needs.

Completing bloodwork ahead of time also helps your pet's surgery morning move more smoothly and allows our team to focus on providing attentive, individualized care from the moment your pet arrives.

Most procedures require anesthesia. Your pet will be closely monitored throughout the procedure to support a safe and comfortable experience.

Most patients go home the same day once they are awake and stable. Because we are not staffed overnight, patients do not remain in the hospital after hours.

We follow AAHA canine vaccination guidelines and AAFP feline vaccination guidelines, along with your pet's lifestyle, age, health status, and risk of exposure, to recommend the vaccines that are most appropriate for your pet.

Rabies is a fatal disease that can affect both pets and people. Current rabies vaccination helps protect your pet, your family, our team, and the community.

Wisconsin law requires rabies vaccination for dogs. OAH also requires current rabies vaccination for dogs and cats receiving routine care at our hospital.

Dogs may qualify for a 3-year rabies vaccine schedule once they are up to date. Cats receive a non-adjuvanted 1-year rabies vaccine to help reduce the risk of injection-site inflammation and rare vaccine-associated sarcomas.

No. OAH does not use 3-year rabies vaccines in cats. We use a non-adjuvanted 1-year rabies vaccine specifically designed for cats because we feel it is the safest and most appropriate option for our feline patients.

Rabies is a fatal disease that can affect both pets and people. Keeping rabies vaccination current helps protect your pet, your family, our team, and the community.

If an unvaccinated or overdue pet bites a person or is exposed to a potentially rabid animal, Wisconsin law may require quarantine, public health involvement, and additional monitoring. Because safety is a top priority, OAH requires current rabies vaccination for dogs and cats receiving routine veterinary care.

Wisconsin law requires rabies vaccination for dogs. OAH also requires current rabies vaccination for dogs and cats receiving routine care at our hospital.

For cats, OAH uses PUREVAX® Feline Rabies 1 YR, a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine specifically designed for cats. We choose this vaccine because it avoids adjuvants, which have historically raised concerns about injection-site inflammation and rare vaccine-associated sarcomas in cats. Because this vaccine is labeled for 1-year protection, annual vaccination is required.

For dogs, OAH uses Nobivac® 3-Rabies, a rabies vaccine manufactured by Merck Animal Health. After the initial rabies vaccination and required booster one year later, this vaccine provides 3-year protection when used according to its label.

The difference between a 1-year and 3-year rabies vaccine is not the amount of vaccine given. The difference is the manufacturer's research and USDA-approved label showing how long protection has been demonstrated to last. By using a 3-year rabies vaccine in dogs, we can provide long-term protection while reducing the number of rabies vaccinations needed over a pet's lifetime.

Most pets can receive rabies vaccination starting at 12 weeks of age. Dogs in Wisconsin must be vaccinated by 5 months of age.

After the first rabies vaccine, a booster is needed one year later. After that, your pet's due date depends on the vaccine used and your pet's vaccination history.

If your pet is overdue, we can usually update the rabies vaccine at the visit. Routine services require current rabies vaccination unless a veterinarian determines there is a medical reason not to vaccinate.

No. Rabies titers do not replace required rabies vaccination and are not accepted as a substitute for vaccination under Wisconsin rabies regulations.

Only for a veterinarian-approved medical reason. Age alone is not considered a reason to exempt a pet from rabies vaccination.

Yes. Please call ahead so we can assess availability and guide next steps.

For after-hours emergencies, please visit our Emergency Info page or call 608-668-6777.

If you call after hours, please select 0 from the phone tree to be connected directly with VetTriage. VetTriage offers after-hours video consultations with a licensed veterinarian for a fee. They can help assess your pet's condition, provide triage guidance, and help determine the most appropriate next step for care.

On our Emergency Info page, you can also:

• Access VetTriage through a direct link
• Find Pet Poison Helpline information
• View a list of trusted 24-hour emergency veterinary facilities in the region with whom we are familiar and whose quality of care we support

Please complete our Record Release Form. A signed authorization is required, and processing may take up to 48 business hours.

Medical records are confidential. Written authorization helps ensure your pet's information is shared securely and accurately.

We accept cash and major credit or debit cards.

Yes. Financing options include Cherry and CareCredit.

Please visit our Financial Resources page.

Most pet insurance plans reimburse you directly. We are happy to provide records to support your claim.

We are very sorry for your loss. Please call us when you are able so we can help guide you through the next steps.

You may wrap your pet in a blanket or towel for transport.

Yes. We offer in-hospital euthanasia in our Comfort Room, as well as at-home euthanasia services, to help provide a peaceful and supportive experience for you and your pet.

At-home euthanasia is available for established clients with an active VCPR, allowing families the option for a more familiar and comfortable setting for their pet.

We offer both private and communal cremation options.

With private cremation, your pet is cremated individually and their ashes are returned to you.

With communal cremation, pets are cremated together and ashes are not returned.

We strive to stay on schedule, so each patient receives the time and attention they deserve.

To help us provide thorough care for each patient, please arrive on time for your appointment. If you arrive late, your appointment may need to be rescheduled, or we may work your pet into the schedule depending on scheduling availability and your pet's needs. Late arrivals may be subject to a $15 late fee.

We kindly request at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment so we can offer that time to another patient in need.

Repeated missed appointments or late cancellations may result in a reservation fee or scheduling limitations.

To help us reserve dedicated time for your pet's care, a reservation fee may be required at the time of scheduling. We appreciate your understanding, as these appointments often involve additional time, staffing, and preparation to support your pet's care.

New Client Reservation Fee
This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and will be applied toward your pet's exam at the time of the visit. The amount varies by appointment type and will be confirmed at the time of scheduling.

Surgery Reservation Fee
To reserve your pet's surgery date, a $250 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required. Because surgery time is reserved specifically for your pet, this deposit will be applied toward the cost of the procedure. If the surgery appointment is canceled, rescheduled, or missed, the deposit will be forfeited and cannot be transferred to another patient, procedure, service, or future appointment.

To help keep visits and treatments running smoothly, payment is due at the time services are provided.

If you have questions about costs or financing options, please let us know. We are happy to help you plan ahead.

If a check is returned, a $35 fee will be added to the balance. Future payments may be required by cash or credit card.

Every pet's needs are unique, so exact surgical estimates are best provided after our team has reviewed your pet's medical needs and recommended procedure.

Estimates are available during visits once a doctor has evaluated your pet and established a valid Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR).

Estimates are intended to provide a general outline of anticipated costs and may change based on your pet's age, weight, health status, selected care plan, and response to treatment.

Our goal is to keep you informed as plans evolve. You are always welcome to request an updated estimate at any time.

For your pet's safety, all dogs must be on a leash when entering the hospital, and all cats must be secured in a carrier.

While you may feel confident in your pet's behavior, the hospital environment can be unpredictable. Leashes and carriers help keep pets safe, prevent unexpected interactions, and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress.

A temporary leash may be obtained from a Customer Service Representative. Temporary cat carriers may also be available for purchase.

Prescription refills require veterinarian approval and may require an exam and/or testing.

Pets receiving long-term medications may also require periodic or annual laboratory testing to help ensure the dose remains appropriate and to monitor for potential side effects.

Please allow 24 to 48 hours for refill processing. A member of our team will notify you when your prescription is ready for pickup.

We ask that you plan refills accordingly so there is adequate time to complete any necessary exams or testing and to avoid missed doses.

We do our best to accommodate urgent cases whenever possible during regular office hours. If we are unable to see your pet, we will help guide you to the most appropriate next step for care.

After-Hours Emergency Info
For after-hours concerns, please visit our Emergency Info page or call 608-668-6777. If you call after hours, select 0 from the phone tree to be connected directly with VetTriage. VetTriage offers after-hours video consultations with a licensed veterinarian for a fee. They can help assess your pet's condition, provide triage guidance, and recommend the most appropriate next step for care.

Our Emergency Info page also includes access to the Pet Poison Helpline, as well as a list of 24-hour emergency facilities we know, trust, and feel confident recommending.

We offer several convenient ways to reach us, including phone, text, PetDesk chat, email, voicemail, and online pharmacy refill requests.

Our team reviews messages throughout the day while also providing hands-on care to patients in the hospital. We appreciate your patience and will respond as soon as we are able, though replies may not always be available within the hour or same business day.

We appreciate your patience while we respond as promptly and thoughtfully as possible. If your pet has an urgent concern, please call us directly so our team can triage the situation and help determine the most appropriate next step.

Our goal is to maintain a supportive environment where clients, patients, and team members all feel safe and respected.

We understand that stressful situations can happen in veterinary medicine, but we ask that all interactions with our team be guided by kindness and respect. Abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behavior may affect our ability to continue the veterinary-client relationship.