HOSPITAL POLICIES

We understand that not every practice is right for every pet owner, and that there are many things to consider when choosing a doctor for your pet. Our goal is to ensure that Lyons Veterinary Hospital’s practice philosophies fit with your own family’s priorities, and to make the process as easy and seamless as possible! Please take the time to read through the following list to make sure that Lyons Veterinary is the appropriate medical home for your pets.

Be kind

The field of veterinary medicine is unfortunately plagued by burnout and compassion fatigue. While we love and are here for you and your pets, we ask that you use kindness and compassion in your interactions with us. We understand that vet visits can be stressful, especially when your pet is sick. We are here to work through this with you, and provide you with the utmost support and care. Please be respectful. We will not tolerate rudeness or disrespect from anyone on any level. Verbal or physical harassment of any team member whether in person or over the phone, will result in termination of our professional relationship, and you will be given a copy of your pet’s medical records.

Communication and Trust

We work hard to provide comprehensive care and serve as your primary resource for all matters relating to your pets. To that end, we expect that you will communicate with your care team regarding any medical questions. Our team has years of training and experience and are dedicated to providing the best care for your pet, whether here in our office, or referring you to the most appropriate specialist if needed. To maintain open lines of communication, we encourage you to ask questions and to provide constructive feedback if there’s something you feel we can improve upon. We are here for you from day one!

Commitment to Wellbeing

Lyons Veterinary Hospital believes in preventive medicine, and that taking care of your pet is a lifelong commitment. It is important to remember that while there are costs associated with that commitment, investing in preventative care now means that your pet will be better off for years to come. We have outlined vaccine schedules for both cats and dogs on our website as recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). In addition, we are happy to provide educational resources detailing why we recommend annual screening labwork, as well as keeping your pets on year round flea, tick and heartworm preventative. Please do not hesitate to contact any member of our staff with questions or concerns regarding our recommendations.

Regarding antibiotic use, we work hard to practice good antimicrobial stewardship so as not to create antibiotic resistance. We make every effort to not use antibiotics unnecessarily, and educate all of our clients on appropriate usage of antibiotics based on evidence-based guidelines. Not every goopy eye or case of diarrhea requires antibiotics! In addition, we will not prescribe antibiotics over the phone as we do not believe that is good medical practice.

Technology

Our practice prides itself on efficiency through the use of technology. You will be encouraged to consult our website and app to manage your pet’s appointments, treatment, and messaging with your care team. These tools also provide automated reminders for appointments and for upcoming vaccinations that are due.

Low-Stress Environment

At Lyons Veterinary Hospital, we’re committed to creating a positive experience for your pet, which is why we practice a low-stress handling method to help your pet feel safe and secure during their visit. We also work directly with you to ensure your pet has a positive experience with us. Whether finding a solution, such as prescribing anxiety medication, or simply having the pet enter our building from an alternative door, whatever it takes, we want your pet to feel comfortable when they are here.

Timeliness and Missed Appointments

Our practice makes every effort to run on time with appointments, as we believe everyone’s time is equally valuable. As a courtesy, we will remind you of your upcoming appointments via phone/text message/email. To make sure you get the most out of your visit with us, please observe these guidelines:

  • We ask that you try to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
  • We understand that sometimes things happen beyond your control that may cause you to be late, but we request that you please call us in the event you are running late so that we can adjust our schedules accordingly.
  • If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, we reserve the right to reschedule your appointment.

While we will always do our best to make accomodations and be flexible, broken appointments represent a cost to us, to you, and to other patients who could have been seen in the time set aside for you. We reserve the right to charge a fee for canceled or missed appointments. If you do have to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please let us know at least 24 hours in advance.

A fee consistent with the cost of the exam will be charged for a second no-notice missed appointment. The third consecutive missed appointment will result in discharge from the practice.

Pricing and Payment

We believe in being transparent about the services we offer, and want to be mindful of the cost related to caring for your pets. We know that finances are a big part of your decision-making process when it comes to choosing a veterinarian. That’s why we take the time to discuss our recommendations and provide you with estimates before moving forward. We want to make sure you understand why we are recommending what we are recommending and feel confident in your decision.

To that end, payment is expected in full at the time services are rendered. If you prefer, this can be performed through our app and via contactless pay. We also accept Scratchpay and CareCredit as other forms of payment. Feel free to contact a team member with any questions or for more information.

Pet Insurance

While our wellness plans are good for preventative care, we recommend pet insurance plans for unexpected and emergent cases to ensure your pet is able to receive life saving care. Pet insurance can be a lifesaver when an unexpected illness or injury strikes your pet. Insurance covers the cost of treatment while also paying for non-covered medical expenses. Pet insurance is also helpful if you have an older pet who might need costly surgery or medication later on in life. Your pet insurance should complement your current health plan and ensure that your pet always gets the best care possible.

Urgent Care

We make every effort to meet the needs of our patients, offering both routine wellness visits and more urgent appointments. Please familiarize yourself with our office hours to see if they work for you. If you need urgent care for your pet, we can provide care for non-critical conditions that do not require hospitalization or surgery. We are not a full-service emergency clinic. If your pet is sick, we will do our best to schedule an urgent appointment and recommend calling ahead to check our availability before coming in. If your pet needs more extensive care, we the following emergency/specialty hospitals:

  • Eclipse Vet Care in Whippany 1 Papermill Dr, Whippany, NJ 07981 eclipsevetcare.com (862) 404-0991
  • Veterinary Emergency Group Union on Route 222317 US-22, Union, NJ 07083 Veterinaryemergencygroup.com
  • Garden State Vet Specialists 1 Pine St, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753 Gsvs.org
  • Oradell 580 Winters Ave Paramus, NJ Oradell.com
  • Red Bank Vet Specialists Multiple Locations Redbankvet.com