Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: I'm a new client and I just want to bring my pet in for acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, ear infection, vaccinations, etc. Is this OK?

A: All new patients must first have an hour-long initial consultation with one of our holistic veterinarians. This initial appointment is very important because your practitioner needs adequate time to review your pet's medical history, thoroughly examine your pet, and discuss with you any problems or symptoms that are occurring. During this consultation, your doctor will also seek to understand your pet's current behaviors, diet, and living environment. Based on an analysis of all these factors, together you and the doctor will determine the best treatment strategy

Q: Does the initial consultation fee include acupuncture, chiropractic, or other treatments?

A: No, treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic therapy are separate charges, but if time permits these treatments may be done during the initial visit.

Q: Why do I need to give my credit card to hold the initial consultation appointment?

A: When scheduling a new patient consultation, we ask that you provide a valid credit card number to hold your appointment because we have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you are unable to keep your appointment, we require 24 hours notice, otherwise your credit card will be charged for the amount of the initial consultation fee. As our practice continues to grow, we encourage our clients to adhere as closely as possible to scheduled appointments for the consideration of other clients, as we may have turned away clients who desired your appointment time. We greatly appreciate your cooperation with our appointment policies.

Q: May I speak with the doctor before making the initial consultation appointment?

A: We cannot give medical advice about pets that are not our patients, and our doctors are typically very busy seeing patients, therefore phone consultations are not often granted. Any questions you may have are best addressed in an appointment with the doctor, because the doctor will need to examine your pet and consult with you on a variety of topics before he or she can make recommendations tailored to your pet's situation.

Q: I want to bring in two (or more) animals with the same problem. Can I get a discount?

A: In some instances, a discount may be given, but this will be up to the doctor's discretion after the appointment and will depend on the length of time spent with your pets and the exact nature of their problems.

Q: What kinds of diets and foods do your doctors recommend? -or- What does your vet recommend for fleas, vomiting, diarrhea, etc?

A: Our holistic veterinarians do not recommend any one thing for every patient; each case is different. In general, we recommend the most natural treatment possible, and involving the least chemicals. If we've never seen your pet before, such questions can only be answered in an initial consultation with one of our doctors, as we first need to understand the medical history of your pet and his or her environment.

Q: Why do I frequently get your voicemail when I call the clinic?

A: Coastal Holistic is a small clinic, so we often rely on our nurse-receptionists to assist with patients, prepare and dispense herbal medications, etc. If you call during business hours and get our voicemail, it's likely we are with another client or patient. However, your call is very important to us, so please leave a message and we will return your call promptly. We check voicemails frequently during business hours.

Q: Can I bring another pet to my pet's appointment for companionship?

A: We're pet owners, too, so we can empathize with a client's desire to bring a companion pet along, but we normally advise against it. Our doctors need to focus their attention on the patient requiring care, and bringing other pets along can cause a disruptive atmosphere that's not conducive to this goal. In addition, the distracting behavior of another pet can reduce the effectiveness of treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic, which are most beneficial when the patient is in a relaxed state.