10395 NW Glencoe Rd. Ste.700 North Plains, OR 97133 503-647-0928
FAQ
What is a VCPR?
Can I get my prescription from an online retailer or my neighborhood pharmacy?
What is a Consultation with Dr. Tsui?
Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship or VCPR is the relationship between the doctor and the patient. To get a prescription (including prescription flea and parasite medication or therapeutic diets) filled or refilled, or series of vaccines, you must have a valid VCPR. To get a valid VCPR, your pet has to have been examined by the doctor within the last year.
What is a Consultation with Dr. Tsui?
Can I get my prescription from an online retailer or my neighborhood pharmacy?
What is a Consultation with Dr. Tsui?
If you have a current VCPR (see above) and you need undivided attention from the doctor for a second opinion, detailed discussion, or guidance for your pet. You can set up a phone consultation appointment. These usually take place in the evening and are between 15 minutes (the minimum) to an hour. Prior to the consultation, you will be billed for the entire hour. If the call is less than that, your account will be credited after the consultation.
Can I get my prescription from an online retailer or my neighborhood pharmacy?
Can I get my prescription from an online retailer or my neighborhood pharmacy?
Can I get my prescription from an online retailer or my neighborhood pharmacy?
Yes! Whether it is our pharmacy or another of your choice, Dr. Tsui always recommends getting your prescriptions filled at an accredited and properly licensed veterinary pharmacy. At your appointment you can request a written prescription. You can send it in or take that prescription wherever you choose.
Are you accepting new clients?
Why do you require a deposit for my first appointment?
Can I get my prescription from an online retailer or my neighborhood pharmacy?
We are currently still taking new clients. This is always subject to change. Our website is updated on a regular basis for any changes.
New client appointments are generally booked further out to give priority to our current clients. We require a deposit for New Client appointments. If it's been over three years since your pets have been seen by Dr. Tsui, we require a deposit for reestablishing care.
If you have questions about the deposit requirements, please refer to the FAQ "Why do you require a deposit before my appointment?" section.
What is your Late/No Show Policy?
Why do you require a deposit for my first appointment?
Why do you require a deposit for my first appointment?
An appointment is considered a "no-show" when a client is more than 15 minutes late to a scheduled appointment or does not show up at all. At that point, the appointment may need to be rescheduled.
If a client accumulates more than two no show appointments, in the future, they will be required to pay a deposit for the next appointment that is made. The deposit will be the price of the exam for that appointment.
Our policy regarding canceling or not showing up for a surgical procedure is similar. If a client cancels or doesn't show more than two times, we will require a deposit that is half the estimate for the planned procedure. The deposit will need to be paid at the time of scheduling.
We have these policies in place because our clinic philosophy is to practice quality patient care and quality client care. When we have a no-show appointment, it is potentially harmful to the patient that misses the appointment and is also potentially harmful to the patient that could have been seen in that time slot. When the time is left open unexpectedly, we are not able to provide that type of quality care that we take pride in practicing.
Why do you require a deposit for my first appointment?
Why do you require a deposit for my first appointment?
Why do you require a deposit for my first appointment?
First of all, we love seeing new clients and welcome people from all over. We understand that getting a veterinary appointment anywhere these days is more difficult than it has ever been. Some people are shopping around and trying to find the soonest appointment. Some people just moved to the area or just got a new pet. We welcome them all and want to be prepared to give the best care that we are able.
We put a lot of effort into preparing our staff and clinic for a new client's first appointment. Part of the preparation for a new client is building a medical history file. The (electronic) file includes your pet's records, your information, and any of the forms that you filled out prior to your appointment. Members of the technical staff and the doctor all review the previous records and our client care team obtain and organize the information. We prepare for each appointment with the appropriate handouts and custom information that pertains to your pet's condition. That energy and effort is wasted when the appointment is a no-show. In addition, at that point it is too late to have another pet who needs medical care come in and fill that space.
If you need to cancel your appointment, please do so no later than 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Your deposit will be refunded to the card that you paid with originally. If you cancel your appointment later than that, your deposit will be not be refunded, and you will lose that deposit. We require another deposit if you make a new appointment.
If you have any questions, please ask a member of our team.
What is Laser Therapy and how does it work?
Can I have another pharmacy call or fax for refills on a prescription?
Can I have another pharmacy call or fax for refills on a prescription?
Laser therapy uses a beam of light to stimulate a healing response in cells which leads to reduced pain, reduced inflammation, and increased healing speed. It is non-invasive and most treatments only take a few minutes. Animals tolerate it well, all they feel is a gentle, soothing warmth.
Laser therapy can effectively reduce pain and inflammation associated with a variety of acute and chronic conditions, including: Dental procedures, infections, sprains and strains, joint disease, fractures, wounds, post-surgical, osteoarthritis, inflammation, and more.
Can I have another pharmacy call or fax for refills on a prescription?
Can I have another pharmacy call or fax for refills on a prescription?
Can I have another pharmacy call or fax for refills on a prescription?
The short answer is no. We will not process any orders that are faxed or called in from another pharmacy, with the exception of some compounding pharmacies.
The long answer has to do with our clinic philosophy. "We are a client-centered practice. In our practice, quality patient care and quality client care are everyone's responsibility. We believe the best way to care for animals is by educating owners about their animal's healthcare needs, to be responsive to the owner's needs, and to treat all clients with courtesy and respect." In order to achieve that type of quality and care, we need to keep the focus on taking care of our patients and clients that are in the clinic, not to spend our time on the phone or sending multiple faxes to outside pharmacies.
In addition to that, authorizing outside prescriptions is costly in terms of staff time, research, and effort. We do not recoup these costs. We cannot give away this energy simply for convenience. We would have to raise our fees overall or charge for the service up front. There is a lot of unseen effort that goes into this process and we think it makes more sense to keep the care focused in the clinic and provide another option.
Finally, we understand that cost is a big reason that our clients purchase from outside pharmacies and online retailers. We are always doing our very best to make sure that our prices are competitive and fair. Most importantly, by purchasing directly from our hospital and our online store, you are supporting our local business here in North Plains. The warehouse for our online pharmacy, Vetsource, is located close-by in Portland. Rather than send your dollars off to a large corporation, we would hope that you would choose to support our small business and shop locally. Our online pharmacy has many incentives to help with the cost of medications and food. Any medications or food purchased from our clinic or our online store are guaranteed by the manufacturer and Dr. Tsui.
If you have any questions about this policy, please feel free to contact us.
Why don't you quote surgical prices over the phone?
Can I have another pharmacy call or fax for refills on a prescription?
Why don't you quote surgical prices over the phone?
While a spay or neuter surgery may be routine, it is not necessarily simple. The same goes for a dental cleaning.
A lot of people calling in to the clinic want to know how much it is to spay their cat or dog or to have their teeth cleaned. We do not have a set price for these services. We individualize each procedure for the best care of your pet, which means it is often different from the last or next patient.
We pride ourselves in our safety and in our surgical protocols. Even young and seemingly healthy patients can have issues that cannot be seen from the outside. Weight, anatomy, breed, and overall health will influence medication dosages and treatment plans. For dentals, we don’t really know for sure about the extent of dental disease until the procedure. Our computer system allows us to individualize each estimate to the weight of your pet. After a thorough exam, only Dr. Tsui can speak to the health and if it requires any change from our routine protocols. All of these things affect the estimated price of the surgery and we want to be as accurate as possible when we give you information. Any surgical procedure can have a detailed estimate once Dr. Tsui has had an opportunity to examine the pet in person.
If you have cost concerns, please communicate that to us so that we can build an estimate that will work for your budget.
What is a nutritional consult?
When is the best time to call for an appointment?
Why don't you quote surgical prices over the phone?
If your pet has special dietary needs or concerns, it may be beneficial to have a nutritional consult. This is a discussion with the doctor or CVT (Certified Veterinary Technician) to determine the appropriate diet and feeding regimen for your pet’s current needs. There is an additional charge for the consult depending on how much time in involved.
When is the best time to call for an appointment?
When is the best time to call for an appointment?
When is the best time to call for an appointment?
Now! If you know that your pet will be due for a vaccine or a wellness exam in the next few months, call and get the appointment on the books early. If you plan on getting a new pet, call and make those appointments well in advance. It's ok if you don't know your new pet's name yet, we can at least get an appointment on the books.
What can I donate to the clinic?
When is the best time to call for an appointment?
When is the best time to call for an appointment?
Spring cleaning has many people with some extra items on hand. We are happy to accept donations. Below is a list of items we are able to accept. All food items are donated to local shelters and/or local food banks.
- Bath towels, hand towels, and bathroom mats that are in good condition
- Unopened pet food that is not expired
- Kitty litter
We cannot accept:
- Expired medications
- Controlled medications
(These are both best to drop at a prescription drug return box at your local police station. There is also a drop box at Kaiser hospital in Hillsboro at 2875 NE Stucki Avenue. )
- Use the link below to find a drop off site near you:
https://safe.pharmacy/drug-disposal/
-Open or expired food
FAQ
How can I help my cat with Osteoarthritis Pain?
Why does NPVC require vaccinations? Why so many?
Why does NPVC require vaccinations? Why so many?
While Feline Osteoarthritis isn’t curable, the pain from Osteoarthritis can now be effectively managed.
Solensia helps your cat get back to moving more freely again and stops Osteoarthritis pain from disrupting their life and their quality time with you!
Solensia is once monthly injection for cats only. It takes around three months to be fully effective, but pet owners sometimes see some improvement in just after three weeks!
Call to make an appointment with the doctor to see if this is right for your cat. This is a long term medication that is given once monthly by a Veterinary Professional.
For more information about this medication, please visit:
https://www.zoetispetcare.com/products/solensia
Why does NPVC require vaccinations? Why so many?
Why does NPVC require vaccinations? Why so many?
Why does NPVC require vaccinations? Why so many?
Vaccines are an excellent way to protect your pet from many contagious diseases including Canine Distemper, Canine Influenza, Parvo, Feline Leukemia, Rabies and many more. Having your dog or cat vaccinated also protects the other pets that you directly or indirectly come in contact with. Some of these diseases can travel through the air or on your shoes spreading to your pet even if they don’t do a lot of socializing. Vaccines are important to keep your pet healthy, which in turn keep pets around them healthy too.
As a Veterinary clinic, we see both healthy and ill animals. We want to do our part in providing the safest environment possible for all pets that come to our clinic and that means requiring all pets to be fully vaccinated.
Why do you require bloodwork before surgery?
Why does NPVC require vaccinations? Why so many?
What do you mean by "multi-modal approach" to my dog's pain management?
It’s easy to see how your pet is feeling on the outside. If they are eating, drinking and playing the way they always do, chances are good that they are truly well.
When undergoing an anesthetic procedure, we are looking for more than their outward attitude. Lab work provides us insights on how your pet is working on the inside. Lab work findings provide our doctor with important information to customize an anesthetic protocol best suited for your pet. The doctor will contact you to relay these findings and recommendations to you.
Ultimately, we want the procedure to be as safe as possible. Achieving that outcome includes regular yearly wellness lab work with urinalysis and fecal analysis in addition to lab work prior to any anesthetic procedure.
What do you mean by "multi-modal approach" to my dog's pain management?
What do you mean by "multi-modal approach" to my dog's pain management?
What do you mean by "multi-modal approach" to my dog's pain management?
There are many options for the care and management of your dog's pain. The multi modal approach is using more than one of the options below. Dr. Tsui can recommend what's right for your dog.
- Gentle exercise or physical therapy
- Omega 3 Fish Oil supplement
- Joint supplements like Dasuquin Advanced tablets
- NSAIDS or other pain medication like Gabapentin
- Adequan injectable therapy
- Librela injections each month
- Laser therapy
What is considered an emergency for my pet?
What do you mean by "multi-modal approach" to my dog's pain management?
Do I need a prescription to get a therapeutic diet for my pet?
The most common emergency issues are:
- Hit by a car/Trauma
- Toxin ingestion
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
- Inability to urinate
- Allergic reactions
- Eye injuries
- Difficulties during labor
- Seizures
This is not a complete list. There are many other issues that are considered an emergency. If you are concerned, please call us at 503-647-0928 or after hours, call Tanasbourne Veterinary ER 503-629-5800
Do I need a prescription to get a therapeutic diet for my pet?
What do you mean by "multi-modal approach" to my dog's pain management?
Do I need a prescription to get a therapeutic diet for my pet?
Therapeutic Diets do not require a traditional prescription, but they do require a recommendation and approval from your Veterinarian with a valid VCPR. Pets must be seen by Dr. Tsui each year to continue with the recommended therapeutic diet.
At your appointment the Doctor will assess your pet's health and nutritional needs with a thorough exam and recommended lab work.