FAQs

Associated Veterinary Medical Center is open:

• Monday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Tuesday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Wednesday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Thursday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Friday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm

We open later on Wednesdays to allow dedicated time for team development and continuing education, so our staff can stay current with the latest veterinary medicine and patient care techniques.

For most visits, we ask that appointments be scheduled in advance to help us provide timely, personalized care.

However, we understand unexpected illnesses and injuries happen. Whenever possible, we intentionally leave space in our schedule for urgent and same-day medical concerns.

If your pet needs immediate attention, please call us first at (509) 525-2502 so our team can help assess the situation and prepare for your arrival if needed.

We do our best to accommodate urgent needs and keep several openings in our daily schedule for same-day appointments. Scheduled appointments are prioritized to help minimize wait times.

We accept:

• Cash
• Checks
• All major credit cards
• CareCredit
• Scratchpay

If you have questions about payment options or financing, our team is happy to help guide you through available resources.

We provide veterinary care for:

• Dogs
• Cats

Our team is committed to providing thoughtful, compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of each species we see.

Every visit is tailored to your pet’s individual needs and the reason for their appointment.

Our goal is to create a calm, supportive experience for both pets and their families. We incorporate Fear Free® techniques and low-stress handling whenever possible to help pets feel more comfortable throughout their visit.

Depending on your pet’s needs, visits may include:

• A comprehensive physical examination
• Discussion of medical history and concerns
• Diagnostic recommendations if needed
• Personalized treatment planning
• Time for questions and discussion

Whenever possible, we use a direct-to-room check-in process to reduce stress and waiting-room anxiety for pets.

After your visit, our team will also send home detailed discharge notes or follow-up information so you feel informed and supported moving forward.

To help your pet feel as comfortable as possible:

• Bring any previous medical records or medications
• Use a leash or secure carrier for safety
• Bring favorite treats, toys, or comfort items if helpful
• Let us know ahead of time if your pet becomes anxious or fearful during veterinary visits

For cats, leaving the carrier out at home before the visit can help create more positive associations with travel and vet visits.

Every pet is different, and we’re happy to work with you to help reduce stress before the appointment even begins. In some cases, we may recommend pre-visit medications to help ease anxiety or make adjustments such as appointment timing, arrival instructions, or where to park to create a calmer experience for your pet.

For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, please contact:

Mid Columbia Pet Emergency Service
Phone: (509) 547-3577

For additional emergency information, including equine emergencies and poison-related concerns, please visit our Emergency Services page.

Yes. Associated Veterinary Medical Center is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), an organization that evaluates veterinary hospitals on hundreds of standards related to patient care, anesthesia, surgery, dentistry, pain management, and hospital operations.

AAHA accreditation reflects our commitment to maintaining high standards of veterinary medicine, patient safety, and compassionate care.

Fear Free® focuses on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress during veterinary visits.

Our Fear Free certified team members incorporate low-stress handling techniques, thoughtful scheduling, calming approaches, and individualized care to help pets feel safer and more comfortable throughout their experience with us.

We believe emotional well-being is an important part of quality veterinary care.

At AVMC, patient safety is one of the many things that set our practice apart. While anesthesia in veterinary medicine is very safe overall, as in human medicine, there is always some level of inherent risk associated with anesthesia and surgical procedures. Because of this, safety is one of our highest priorities at every stage of care.

As an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, we follow established standards and protocols designed to support safer anesthesia and surgical care.

Before anesthesia, we perform a physical examination and typically recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork to help evaluate your pet’s overall health and identify any concerns that may affect anesthesia planning.

During procedures, pets are closely monitored by our trained veterinary team using dedicated monitoring equipment, individualized anesthetic protocols, and safety measures focused on comfort, pain management, and patient well-being throughout the procedure and recovery process.

Pre-anesthetic bloodwork helps us evaluate important internal health factors that cannot be seen during a physical exam alone.

This testing may help assess:

• Liver and kidney function
• Blood sugar levels
• Hydration status
• Infection or inflammation
• Overall organ health

Bloodwork helps us make anesthesia decisions more safely and tailor care to your pet’s individual needs.

Yes. Many pets continue eating normally even while experiencing significant dental disease or oral pain.

Dental disease often develops below the gumline, where problems cannot be seen without a full oral examination and dental X-rays.

Annual professional dental cleanings help identify painful or infected teeth earlier and may help prevent more advanced disease over time.

Much of dental disease occurs below the surface of the gums and cannot be evaluated by visual examination alone.

Dental X-rays help us assess:

• Tooth roots
• Bone loss
• Infection
• Fractured teeth
• Tooth resorption in cats

They are an important part of thorough, high-quality dental care.

A physical examination is recommended every 6 months for all dogs and cats. Just as with people, a physical exam is the most important component of an office visit, allowing the veterinarian to completely examine your pet and discuss any medical problems found or any behavioral concerns you may have.

Indoor cats can still develop many common medical conditions, including:

• Dental disease
• Kidney disease
• Arthritis
• Thyroid disease
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

Cats are also very good at hiding pain and illness, which makes preventive care and wellness exams especially important.

Even indoor pets can be exposed to parasites through:

• Mosquitoes
• Fleas brought inside
• Wildlife exposure
• Soil contamination
• Contact with other pets

Preventive care helps protect pets from parasites that may be difficult to detect early and easier to prevent than treat.

Pets often show pain in subtle ways rather than crying or vocalizing.

Signs of pain may include:

• Limping or stiffness
• Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs
• Changes in appetite
• Hiding or withdrawal
• Increased irritability
• Excessive licking
• Sleeping more than usual
• Changes in grooming habits

If you notice changes in your pet’s behavior or mobility, it’s a good idea to schedule an evaluation.

Whenever scheduling allows, we intentionally reserve space for urgent and same-day medical concerns.

If your pet is sick or injured, please call us as early as possible so our team can help determine the best next steps.