General FAQs

Q: I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE PUPPY I BOUGHT IS SICK! IS THE PET STORE LEGALLY REPSONSIBLE FOR HIS MEDICAL BILLS?

A: New Jersey law provides options for people who purchase dogs or cats (from pet stores or pet dealers) that are deemed "unfit for purchase" by a licensed veterinarian. *Click here for information from the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association.

Q: WHY DO I ALWAYS PAY MORE AT THE VET’S OFFICE THAN AT MY OWN DOCTOR’S OFFICE?

A: One of the major differences between human medicine and veterinary medicine is the fee structure of human medical insurance. Veterinarians have medical training which is very similar to that of human physicians. The reason you seem to pay more at your best friend’s doctor has to do with the method of payment. People with insurance simply provide a small co-payment to their doctor at the time of service, while pet owners pay the full amount for each procedure. Believe it or not, when comparing the same procedures, veterinary procedures are actually much less expensive than their human counterparts. Where else could you pay $250 for an ovariohysterectomy (spay) and get a skilled surgeon, skilled nursing care, a sterile operating room, anesthesia, pain medication, hospitalization, state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, and post-operative care? It's important to remember that veterinarians are doctors - doctors who must know about many areas of pet health and about many different types of pets. We live in a world where the bank, the utility companies, the drug and medical equipment suppliers, and support personnel all require, and deserve, prompt payment. This makes charging fees, reasonable fees, necessary. No one would ask or expect a human physician to provide a free diagnosis or reduced prescription fee. Veterinarians are no different. Veterinarians know how much you love your pet and can help guide you on an appropriate course of medical treatment. Ultimately, the decision of what to choose is determined by you. To help defray the costs of caring for your pet, you may want to ask your veterinarian about pet health insurance.

Q: SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT PURCHASING MY PET'S MEDICATONS FROM AN INTERNET PHARMACY?

A: In order for a veterinarian to prescribe medication for your pet, federal and state laws require that a veterinarian-client- patient relationship must exist. This means that a veterinarian must examine your pet a minimum of once a year to maintain this relationship. You, as the pet owner, are the client and your pet is the patient. It is illegal for a veterinarian to sell, prescribe or dispense medication without this relationship. So, while you are entitled to fill your pet's prescription wherever you choose, your veterinarian is required to ensure that a current veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists. This may take the form of an annual health exam or follow-up visit to ensure that your pet is in good health and that the prescribed medication is warranted and/or working effectively. Take caution where you purchase your pet's medications. Some pharmacies receive their medications from overseas where standards are different than those in the United States and do not meet FDA or EPA approval. Purchasing your pet's prescription medications from your veterinarian is a guarantee that the product meets appropriate guidelines. Your veterinarian is also available to provide immediate follow-up should there be a problem. If you want to purchase your pet’s medications on the internet and you would also like to ensure that they meet FDA guidelines, please visit the Black Horse Pike Animal Hospital Online Pharmacy.

Q: IS MY VETERINARIAN ALLOWED TO CHARGE ME FOR COPIES OF MY PET'S MEDICAL RECORDS AND X-RAYS?

A: New Jersey state law requires veterinarians to retain all of their original medical records, including radiographs. Should you require copies of your pet's records, your veterinarian is allowed to charge a reasonable fee to reproduce the documents.