FAQs
Hillside Animal Hospital FAQs
There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.

FAQs
Below are some common FAQs that might help answer any questions or concerns. Please feel free to contact us for any other questions you may have.
Are we accepting new clients?
What is a technician (tech) appointment?
(Please note that in order to schedule with a veterinary technician, your pet must have been seen by a veterinarian within the previous 12 months.)
How long will the technician appointment take?
I am not a client, but can you answer my questions?
Do you accept Pet Assure?
Do you work on exotic pets?
Do you crop ears?
Do you declaw cats?
What are your fees for services?
Why do I need a blood test for heartworm prevention?
Is prevention really needed year round?
Most preventative medications are not only protecting against heartworms, but also intestinal parasites. Even though mosquitoes might not be active on extremely cold winter days, intestinal parasites are also a great concern. One in 30 stool tests is positive for hookworms in Missouri, and the numbers continue to increase. Check the CAPC website to see the prevalence maps for our state: https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2022/all-year/heartworm-canine/dog/united-states/missouri
Additionally, we recommend year-round flea and tick prevention.
https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2022/all-year/ehrlichiosis/dog/united-states
https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2022/all-year/anaplasmosis/dog/united-states
https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2022/all-year/lyme-disease/dog/united-states
Do we provide any in-home services?
What’s included in a dental procedure?
Our dental procedures include a complete oral exam once your pet is under anesthesia, as well as dental radiographs of every single tooth. Most of the body of the tooth is below the gum line, which makes it difficult for us to evaluate your pet’s oral health by just lifting their lips during their physical examination.
Once evaluated, a veterinary technician will then ultrasonically scale and polish the teeth, and the doctor will then perform any necessary extractions or treatments. A technician is continuously monitoring anesthesia and your pet’s vital signs and caring for your pet’s IV catheter.
We use the most up-to-date anesthesia and pain management protocols to ensure a safe and pain-free procedure for your pet!
You can find more information on our website about dental care here.