Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a pet that stays close to home and never visits dog parks or requires boarding, you might be questioning the necessity of the long list of possible immunizations that many animal hospitals recommend.

At Mesa Veterinary Hospital, we take time to get to know your pets and your household habits so that we can recommend beneficial immunizations and eliminate unnecessary ones. We avoid overmedication whenever possible and take a conservative yet responsible approach to looking after your pet.

That being said, some immunizations are species-specific, and their widespread use has helped to keep animals healthy by nearly eradicating certain illnesses. Pets that go outside can get into rodent waste and urine or come into contact with diseased animals without their owner’s knowledge. Our vets also stay informed about trends in pet illnesses, such as changes in heartworm risk and canine influenza outbreaks. We often adjust our recommendations based on changes specific to Colorado.

Jefferson County, Colorado, requires that both dogs and cats have current licenses displayed on their collars, which they wear at all times, even indoors. In order to license your pet, Jefferson County requires either a one- or three-year rabies vaccination and certificate, which we will provide in our Golden vet clinic.

You know your pet better than anyone, but our furry and feathered friends do not always show signs of pain or disease and often do not let on that anything has changed at all. Changes in your pet’s health can be so subtle and progress so slowly over time that they may go unnoticed. Yearly examinations allow us to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

Your pet’s wellness exam and yearly exams will give our experienced vets an opportunity to identify any conditions or diseases that may be silent and asymptomatic to an untrained eye. Most diseases and medical issues are less costly and simpler to treat when detected early. Your pet may also have a more favorable prognosis when problems are detected early.

Your dog, cat, bird, rabbit, or snake will receive a nose-to-tail exam that includes the evaluation of vital signs and temperature, a thorough oral exam, and any necessary blood work to ensure your pet is happy and healthy.

This is also a great time to discuss any changes in your pet’s behavior or dietary habits, which can indicate medical issues.

Prevention is as essential for pets as it is for humans, and your investment in wellness exams can help your pet live a longer and healthier life doing all of the things they enjoy – chasing the ball, playing with squeaky mice, or curling up under a warm heat lamp, waiting for the next cricket snack to pass by.

If you are searching for experienced vets who love their relationships with pets and humans alike, contact Mesa Veterinary Hospital.

This is perhaps the most difficult decision that pet parents have to make.

Letting go of a beloved pet can be an emotional and traumatic experience. Our kind and compassionate veterinarians will be here for you when you need them most.

As animal lovers ourselves, we never take the recommendation for euthanasia lightly. If any other treatment options exist to give your pet more comfortable months or years, we will go over the options with you, along with associated costs and home care responsibilities.

If you choose to euthanize your pet, or “put them to sleep,” we will make the experience for you and your pet as peaceful as possible. You will have a dedicated room to share with your animal during their last moments. We will give you plenty of time to say goodbye privately.

The euthanasia procedure is painless and calm. We administer a sedative to relax your pet so that they do not feel anxiety or fear because of the strange surroundings and from feeling ill. The next drug we administer will stop the heart within just a few moments.

You will have cremation options, and we even make small keepsake memorials with fur and a paw print for you to remember your loved one.

One of the challenges of being a pet owner is that pets can’t tell you when they feel ill or are having pain. You may notice changes in behavior that could indicate a problem, but those signs may be subtle and easy to overlook.

If you suspect that your pet is sick, pay particular attention to their bowel and urination habits by following them to the yard or taking a peek into the litter box. If something seems off, like blood in the urine or feces, loose stools, or they seem to be straining, it is time for a trip to Mesa Veterinary Hospital.

Your pet’s eating habits can also be indicative of illness. If they once ate their food enthusiastically and are now displaying disinterest or not eating at all, they need an exam to rule out illness, obstruction, or even an allergy that has developed.

Other signs that should cause concern:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Foaming at the mouth
• Coughing or sneezing
• Limping
• Whining
• Aggression
• Lumps or cysts on or beneath the skin
• Cloudy eyes
• Disorientation

Tune in to your pet’s behavior and compare it to how they behaved a month or even a week ago. Any sudden changes can indicate that something is going on that requires professional attention.

We welcome dogs, cats, small animals, birds, and exotics from Golden, West Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, and the surrounding areas. Many of our patients travel from nearby states to have the personal and comprehensive vet care our skilled veterinarians provide.

Gum disease and tooth loss can have a severe, negative impact on your dog or cat’s overall health. Oral health and systemic health are closely linked, and pets that have periodontal (gum) disease may have complications with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, or diabetes.

Non-anesthetic dental cleanings, available through mobile services or at pet stores, do not effectively remove the tartar below the gums and cannot accommodate endodontic or oral surgery treatments, which are often part of keeping your pet’s mouth healthy when you seek treatment at Mesa Veterinary Hospital.

Our vets are experienced in providing comprehensive oral care to dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, and other types of animals as part of our comprehensive approach to animal medicine.

We employ every precaution to ensure your pet can be anesthetized safely, including analyzing blood work and monitoring their vitals. Your pet will be relaxed and comfortable in our surgery suite and monitored during and after their procedure.

At your pet’s annual exam, we will determine if your pet might benefit from a dental cleaning. We provide comprehensive pet dental care for our Golden, West Denver, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, and Arvada pet patients.

Give us a call if your pet experiences facial swelling or has trouble eating as these can be signs of painful oral conditions.

If this is your pet’s very first visit to our hospital, we can provide an estimate of treatment over the phone before you arrive. The cost of your pet’s care is dependent upon why your animal is being seen.

Once you and your pet arrive at our Golden vet clinic, our vets stay in constant communication with you about the cost of your pet’s care. If your pet requires any blood work or additional testing, we will let you know about these fees upfront.

We understand that pet parents want to avoid financial surprises when it comes to animal medical costs, which is why we provide treatment plans with a low estimate and a high estimate so that you have a better idea of what the anticipated range of the cost of your pet’s treatment.

To assist with fitting your pet’s medical care into your monthly budget, we allow payment through CareCredit, a third-party financing company that offers interest-free and long-term payment options.

If your pet is in our care and we encounter additional treatment needs, we will contact you directly to get your authorization before proceeding whenever possible.

First and foremost, Mesa will remain OPEN at this time. However, out of an abundance of caution and to do our part to help protect the community from the further spread of COVID-19, the decision has been made that for the time being and starting Tuesday, March 17th, we will no longer be allowing clients inside of the hospital building (with the exception of scheduled humane euthanasia appointments).

It is our intention to remain open for our clients to ensure that we are able to continue providing care to the patients who need it. In order for our doors to remain open, it is of the utmost importance that we minimize person-to-person interaction.

We ask that clients either bring their pet in a secure carrier that has been wiped down with disinfecting wipes prior to arrival or on a secure leash/harness. We also ask that anyone experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms including fever, coughing, and/or shortness of breath make plans for someone else to bring their pet in.

In order to decrease person-to-person interaction, our staff will meet you at one of the FOUR labeled entryways of our building to intake your pet. We ask that you wear a mask when interacting with our staff outside of the building. Details on the curbside intake service will be emailed to you the day before your appointment. When you arrive to the parking lot, simply call the hospital to let us know that you have arrived and relay your pet’s name and what they are being seen for. It is important that you have a full charge on your cell phone and that you stay in your vehicle in the parking lot so that we are able to reach you during your pet’s appointment.

All authorization paperwork will be completed over the phone when our staff calls to confirm your pet’s scheduled procedure or while you are on the phone scheduling your pet’s appointment. You will be asked to review and approve your authorization paperwork and provide your signature at the time of drop-off.

For medication and prescription diet pick-up, we will only be filling up to 2 months of medications at a time as well as sending only one bag/case of food home at a time. This is to ensure that all of our patients have access to the food and medications that they need. We ask that you pay for these items over the phone prior to pick-up.  Please call when you are on your way to pick-up as we will be utilizing a medication pick-up bin located just outside the hospital.

In the face of trying times, we will continue to do our best to serve you and your companion animals. Please know that these decisions have not been made lightly, and that we will continue to re-evaluate the situation surrounding COVID-19 as more information becomes available to us.

Sincerely,
The Mesa Veterinary Hospital Veterinarians and Staff