Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we do! We require your pet's past records to be sent over to our clinic PRIOR to your visit to ensure we can treat your pet safely and effectively. Please see below to learn which documents we require.

We DO need:

• We need the most up to date vaccine records.
• We need any and all previous records that pertain to concerns you want to go over with our doctors or pertaining to your pets health. (Example: X-rays, blood work, previous diagnoses, previous prescriptions.)

We DO NOT need:

• We do not need any invoices from previous appointments - these invoices do not provide us with any of the details we need.
• We do not need any outdated vaccine records;  for example if you have a rabies certificate for 2020 but also have a rabies certificate for 2021, we only need the most updated rabies certificate.

How to make sure Sploot receives my pets records prior to their appointment:

• You can call your pet's previous veterinary clinic and ask for them to email ‘full medical records’ to records@splootvets.com. Our team will make sure these records are uploaded to your pets file for all future visits. Some clinics can take up to 48 hours to send over these records so please call at least two days prior to your appointment.
  

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When scheduling a surgery or dental procedure, you might be wondering why it is so important for us to see your pet prior. We created this document to help you better understand why by answering some of your most common questions.

What is the purpose of this pre-surgery or dental procedure appointment?

• Meet with one of our veterinarians to help set expectations for your pet's surgery / dental procedure and make sure they are healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.
• Discuss the specific procedure including healing time, size and site of incisions, possible complications, post-operative recovery requirements such as exercise and/or feeding restrictions, when to return for a recheck and more.
• Allow your veterinarian to create an individual surgical / dental plan for your pet (including which medications to use, the timing of the procedure, etc)

What can I expect to happen during the appointment?

• Your pet will receive a full and thorough exam by one of our veterinarians (more often than not, you will meet with the specific veterinarian who will be performing the procedure). If any abnormalities are noted (for example lung crackles or wheezes, heart murmurs, etc) this allows us time to discuss recommendations and/or precautions to make sure your pet stays safe. Should it be a more serious matter, your veterinarian may recommend postponing the procedure or performing other diagnostics at that time. 
• Next, we will discuss key points of your pet’s procedure including possible complications, post-operative recovery time as well as tips to make the process as smooth as possible. This, of course, will vary for each procedure (for example, it may include ordering soft/canned food ahead of time if you know your pet will need dental extractions, or finding the best way to make sure your pet leaves their surgical incision alone).
• Last, we will collect a blood sample that will allow us to ensure your pet’s organs are functioning properly (see below for more information).

Why is bloodwork important prior to placing my pet under anesthesia?

• While a thorough exam will make sure that we do not detect any outward abnormalities, a full health evaluation could not be complete without looking inward. Bloodwork allows us to examine your pet’s organ function including, but not limited to, their liver and kidneys. These specific organs are especially important for processing the inhalant–the gas that keeps your pet under anesthesia–and if one is malfunctioning, it is vital that we know ahead of time as it could put your pet's health in risk. 
• We may recommend further tests, changes to their surgical plan or postponing the procedure in those situations. 

Your comfort level with your pet's surgery and their safety are of our utmost importance.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or concerns. Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health, and for being the BEST pet parent to your furry baby!

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Thank you for booking a same-day appointment with us, and for being the best pet parent to your furry friend! 

What is our cancellation policy for Same-day appointments?

If a customer cancels a same day appointment or if they don’t show up to the appointment without letting us know we will charge them a $50 fee.

Why do we charge a cancellation fee in some cases?

Our goal is to provide timely care to all our patients and to respect not only the veterinarian’s time, but the constraints of a tightly booked schedule .We don’t enjoy charging a fee for canceling an appointment, however, in the case of Same-day appointments we do not have enough time to accommodate other patients who may need prompt medical care and cannot fill that spot in our Doctors’ and Nurses’ calendars which is just not fair to them.

We understand that it can be nerve-wracking to put your pet under anesthesia for any surgical procedure, and therefore we have created this document to help you best prepare for surgery day as well as make sure you are comfortable with the entire process.

How do I prepare my pet for surgery?

• Please do not feed your pet any food after 9:30pm the night before surgery. Water is OK at all times.
• Ask your veterinarian any question you may have about the procedure itself, what the recovery entails, etc. No question is off-limits here!
• Create a safe and quiet environment for your pet to return to while they are recovering from anesthesia. In the case that exercise restriction is necessary (most soft-tissue procedures will require restriction) this may involve setting up baby gates or pens, closing off the staircase, separating pets from siblings at home, etc. 

What can I expect when I arrive at the clinic for drop-off?

• Drop off will be at 9:30 am. At that time, we will have a drop-off/surgical form for you to fill out and sign. Please allow some time (about 30 minutes) for drop-off so that our medical team can go over this form with you as well as discuss any other questions you might have about the procedure. 
• Please let our medical team know about any medications your pet is currently taking and when their last dose was given.
• Please be sure you leave us with the best telephone number to reach you in case of emergency, and make sure to keep your phone nearby throughout the day.

How long will the procedure take/when will I be able to pick up my pet?

• Every patient will be able to go home the same day of the surgery unless told differently by a veterinarian. The times for pickup will vary based on several factors: the type of procedure (spays/neuters are often quicker than dental procedures–especially those with dental extractions), what order your pet will be taken to surgery on our procedure days, as well as recovery time which is determined the day of by your veterinarian (based on how quickly/well your pet recovers, etc.)
• Please feel free to reach out to us (via text or phone call) in case you would like an update on your pet’s status. Rest assured that your veterinarian will call you in case any questions arise and certainly once your pet is awake and extubated. 
• Do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian any remaining questions about recovery at the time of the post-operative phone call. 

Rest assured that your pet is in good hands and receiving the utmost quality care by our medical team throughout the entire surgical process. We look forward to seeing you and your pet very soon!

Your pet received general anesthesia today for a surgical procedure to remove his testicles which will result in numerous health benefits including prevention of testicular cancer as well as the reduced chance of prostate issues later in life.

Exercise Restriction

• Most pets will naturally become very active in a short period of time after surgery and confinement and close supervision indoors is of the utmost importance. This means no running, jumping, climbing or rough-housing. Pets must be on a leash when going outside. This will help speed healing, as well prevent stress on the incision. 
• These restrictions should stay in place for 7-10 days post surgery, or as otherwise directed by your veterinarian. 
• Too much activity can especially lead to scrotal hematomas (swelling of the scrotal sac with fluid build-up) which can be bothersome and take longer to heal.

What can I expect when I bring my pet home tonight?

• Since your pet had general anesthesia today he may be groggy, slightly unstable. Allow your pet to recover in a quiet room at home away from other pets.
• Some pets are not quite themselves for up to 24-48 hours following anesthesia. Signs such as pacing, panting, whimpering, mild lethargy, and/or restlessness may be noticed.
• A small tube was placed down his throat and can sometimes cause irritation for a day or two. If there is persistent coughing for more than two days, please let us know.

Special Feeding instructions

• Tonight, gradually feed your pet only 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 the normal amount as pets may feel nauseous after anesthesia and vomit if given large amounts of water or food. Tomorrow you may continue food and water amounts as usual as long as your pet is eating and drinking well with no vomiting or diarrhea.
• Your pet may not want to eat at all tonight. If your pet is still not eating the day after the procedure, please let us know. 

How do I care for my pet’s incision?

• A small amount of blood seepage is normal immediately after surgery. Some redness and swelling of the incision is expected and also normal. Please check the incision at least once daily for any changes such as: redness, swelling, discharge, odors, or opening of the incision. If any of the above is noticed, please call the clinic.
• Please prevent your pet from licking/chewing at their incision. If allowed to do so it can cause delayed healing time, infection, or cause the sutures to come out. This may involve use of t-shirts, boxer shorts and an e-collar (cone).
• Never put anything on the incision unless directed by a veterinarian.
• Keep the incision(s) dry and clean (no bathing, swimming, water activities, etc)

Recheck

• In case a recheck appointment wasn’t already scheduled when you picked up your pet, please schedule one in 10-14 days. Recheck sooner if you have any concerns.
  

Should there be an emergency when our hospital is closed (our hours are from 10am-10pm), please bring your pet to one of the following emergency hospitals to be evaluated: 

• Wheatridge Animal Hospital (303-424-3325)
• Veterinary Emergency Group (720-574-9834)

Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health, and for being the BEST pet parent to your furry baby!

Your pet received general anesthesia today for a surgical procedure to remove her ovaries and potentially part of her uterus which will result in numerous health benefits including prevention of ovarian and mammary cancer, uterine infections, and the elimination of heat cycles.

Exercise Restriction

• Most pets will naturally become very active in a short period of time after surgery and confinement and close supervision indoors is of the utmost importance. This means no running, jumping, climbing or rough-housing. Pets must be on a leash when going outside. This will help speed healing, as well prevent stress on the incision. 
• These restrictions should stay in place for 7-10 days post surgery, or as otherwise directed by your veterinarian. 

What can I expect when I bring my pet home tonight?

• Since your pet had general anesthesia today she may be groggy, slightly unstable. Allow your pet to recover in a quiet room at home away from other pets.
• Some pets are not quite themselves for up to 24-48 hours following anesthesia. Signs such as pacing, panting, whimpering, mild lethargy, and/or restlessness may be noticed.
• A small tube was placed down her throat and can sometimes cause irritation for a day or two. If there is persistent coughing for more than two days, please let us know.
• If your pet was in heat during her procedure, vaginal bleeding can be normal for up to 3-5 days post surgery. 

Special Feeding instructions

• Tonight, gradually feed your pet only 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 the normal amount as pets may feel nauseous after anesthesia and vomit if given large amounts of water or food. Tomorrow you may continue food and water amounts as usual as long as your pet is eating and drinking well with no vomiting or diarrhea.
• Your pet may not want to eat at all tonight. If your pet is still not eating the day after the procedure, please let us know. 

How do I care for my pet’s incision?

• A small amount of blood seepage is normal immediately after surgery. Some redness and swelling of the incision is expected and also normal. Please check the incision at least once daily for any changes such as: redness, swelling, discharge, odors, or opening of the incision. If any of the above is noticed, please call the clinic.
• Please prevent your pet from licking/chewing at their incision. If allowed to do so it can cause delayed healing time, infection, or cause the sutures to come out. This may involve use of t-shirts, boxer shorts and an e-collar (cone).
• Never put anything on the incision unless directed by a veterinarian.
• Keep the incision dry and clean (no bathing, swimming, water activities, etc)

Recheck

• In case a recheck appointment wasn’t already scheduled when you picked up your pet, please schedule one in 10-14 days. Recheck sooner if you have any concerns.
  

Should there be an emergency when our hospital is closed (our hours are from 10am-10pm), please bring your pet to one of the following emergency hospitals to be evaluated: 

• Wheatridge Animal Hospital (303-424-3325)
• Veterinary Emergency Group (720-574-9834)

Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health, and for being the BEST pet parent to your furry baby!

We appreciate your commitment to your pet’s health. The procedure your pet received today will help to prevent future complications, such as infections, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Thank you for doing your part, and being the best parent to your furry baby! 

What did my pet’s cleaning include 

• Your pet received the same care and attention to their teeth today as you do when you visit the dentist. This includes full mouth x-rays, sub gingival (below the gum line) scaling, ultrasonic cleaning, and polishing. The doctor may also have recommended other advanced periodontal treatments.

What can I expect when I bring my pet home tonight?

• Since your pet had general anesthesia today he or she may be groggy, slightly unstable. Allow your pet to recover in a quiet room at home away from other pets.
• Some drooling can also be expected. 
• Some pets are not quite themselves for up to 24-48 hours following anesthesia. Signs such as pacing, panting, whimpering, mild lethargy, and/or restlessness may be noticed. There may also be some degree of discomfort and swelling around the mouth.
• A small tube was placed down his/her throat and can sometimes cause irritation for a day or two. If there is persistent coughing for more than two days, please let us know.
• Your pet was placed on its back for the dental procedure. Therefore it can be normal for them to experience some nasal congestion and/or sneezing. Please let us know if this does not resolve within a few days.

Special Feeding instructions

• Tonight, feed your pet only 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 the normal amount as pets may feel nauseous after anesthesia and vomit if given large amounts of water or food. Tomorrow you may continue with food and water amounts as usual. No change in diet is necessary.
• Your pet may not want to eat at all tonight. If your pet is still not eating the day after the procedure, please let us know. 

No recheck is necessary unless concerns arise. You may implement at-home dental care at your earliest convenience. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions at all. 

Should there be an emergency when our hospital is closed (our hours are from 10am-10pm), please bring your pet to one of the following emergency hospitals to be evaluated: 

• Wheatridge Animal Hospital (303-424-3325)
• Veterinary Emergency Group (720-574-9834)

Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health, and for being the BEST pet parent to your furry baby!

We appreciate your commitment to your pet’s health. The procedure your pet received today will help to prevent future complications such as infections, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Thank you for doing your part, and being the best parent to your furry baby! 

What did my pet’s cleaning include

• Your pet received the same care and attention to their teeth today as you do when you visit the dentist. This includes full mouth x-rays, subgingival (below the gum line) scaling, ultrasonic cleaning, and polishing. The doctor may also have recommended other advanced periodontal treatments and possible extractions of diseased teeth.

What can I expect when I bring my pet home tonight?

• Since your pet had general anesthesia today he/she may be groggy, slightly unstable. Allow your pet to recover in a quiet room at home away from other pets.
• Some drooling can also be expected. If extractions were performed, it can be normal to see some blood-tinged saliva. The amount of blood should decrease with time. If at any time it is worsening or excessive, please let us know.
• Some pets are not quite themselves for up to 24-48 hours following anesthesia. Signs such as pacing, panting, whimpering, mild lethargy, and/or restlessness may be noticed. There may also be some degree of discomfort and swelling around the mouth, especially if extractions were performed.
• A small tube was placed down his/her throat and can sometimes cause irritation for a day or two. If there is persistent coughing for more than two days, please let us know.
• Your pet was placed on its back for the dental procedure. Therefore it can be normal for them to experience some nasal congestion and/or sneezing. Please let us know if this does not resolve within a few days.

Special Feeding instructions

• With absorbable sutures in the mouth, it is important to feed your pet a very soft diet (this can be canned/wet food or dry food soaked in water until very soft) until they return for their recheck or otherwise directed. This also means no hard toys, treats, etc that may interfere with the healing of the extraction sites. 
• Tonight, gradually feed your pet only 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 the normal amount as pets may feel nauseous after anesthesia and vomit if given large amounts of water or food. Tomorrow you may continue food and water amounts as usual (as long as the food is still soft). Please refrain from offering any hard toys, rope toys, bones or treats until their recheck to allow the gum tenderness to fade and the extraction sites to fully heal. 
• Your pet may not want to eat at all tonight. If your pet is still not eating the day after the procedure, please let us know. It is possible that your pet is in pain from extractions and the pain is preventing your pet from eating. You can give one dose of pain medication without food (if they will not eat) to see if this helps. If not, please let us know. 

Recheck

• In case a recheck appointment wasn’t already scheduled when you picked up your pet, please schedule one in 10-14 days. Recheck sooner if you have any concerns. At-home dental care (brushing, chews, water additives) may only be resumed once the extraction sites are deemed to be healed at their recheck.
  

Should there be an emergency when our hospital is closed (our hours are from 10am-10pm), please bring your pet to one of the following emergency hospitals to be evaluated: 

• Wheatridge Animal Hospital (303-424-3325)
• Veterinary Emergency Group (720-574-9834)

Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health, and for being the BEST pet parent to your furry baby!

Thank you for looking to book an appointment with us, and for being the best pet parent to your furry friend!

The easiest and fastest way is to schedule an appointment is through online booking. You can also text or call us to book an appointment at (720) 606-4845.

You can book all types of appointments online, except for re-checks and surgeries: these appointments have to be coordinated with our care team (you are able to book Surgery Consultation and Pre-op appointments online), so please give us a call in these cases.

If you have an urgent case or emergency, or can't find availability via online booking we suggest that you give us a call or just walk into our clinic. We offer free pet triaging services. Just give us call to talk with our care team who will be able to help you understand the best treatment options and next steps, in an urgent care case or emergency.

Thank you for booking a surgery or a procedure with us, and for being the best pet parent to your furry friend! 

We understand that sometimes plans change, and we completely understand if you need to reschedule or cancel your furry friend’s surgery or procedure. Our only ask is that you give us a solid heads up so we could allow a different patient to take your spot (other parents care about their furry friend as well you know).

How do I cancel or reschedule my furry friend’s surgery or procedure? 

We try to make this as easy as possible for you, the parent, so you can either call us or text us, and we’ll take care of it.   

Are you taking a deposit when I book a surgery or a procedure for my furry friend?

At the time you book a surgery or a procedure we will require a deposit of $200. This deposit will be returned, or credited back to you at the time the surgery or procedure is performed and paid for. 

Am I getting my deposit back if I decide to cancel or reschedule my furry friend’s surgery or procedure?

• We will refund the full amount of the deposit ($200) if you cancel or reschedule the surgery / procedure at least 48 hours before your appointment. 
• We will not refund the deposit ($200) if you cancel or reschedule the surgery / procedure less than 48 hours before your appointment. 

Why do you take a deposit in advance for a surgery or a procedure? 

Our goal is to provide timely care to all our patients and to respect not only the veterinarian’s time, but the constraints of a tightly booked schedule .We don’t enjoy charging you a deposit up front, however, to ensure we provide your furry friend with the best possible medical care, we usually book our doctors & nurses for 3-5 hours for each surgery / procedure, and if you don’t give us enough heads up we do not have enough time to accommodate other patients who may need prompt medical care and cannot fill that pretty long spot in our team’s calendar which is also just not fair to them (their time is valuable as well you know).

Thank you for booking an appointment with us, and for being the best pet parent to your furry friend! 

We understand that sometimes plans change, and we completely understand if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. Our only ask is that you give us a solid heads up so we could allow a different patient, who is seeking to get medical care, to take your spot (other parents care about their furry friend as well you know).

How do I cancel or reschedule my appointment?

We try to make this as easy as possible for you, the parent, so you can either call us or text us at (720) 606-4845, and we’ll take care of it. If you booked you appointment online, you could also use the link in the appointment confirmation email you received.

Is there any fee for canceling or rescheduling an appointment?

• If you cancel or reschedule your appointment at least 24 hours before your appointment we will not charge you any fee (why would we? You’ve been responsible, and we appreciate it).
• If you cancel or reschedule your appointment less than 24 hours before your appointment we will charge you a $25 fee.
• If you cancel or reschedule your appointment less than 1 hour before your appointment or if you don’t show up to the appointment without letting us know we will charge you a $50 fee.

Why do you charge a fee in some of these cases?

Our goal is to provide timely care to all our patients and to respect not only the veterinarian’s time, but the constraints of a tightly booked schedule .We don’t enjoy charging you a fee for canceling or rescheduling your appointment, however, if you don’t give us enough heads up we do not have enough time to accommodate other patients who may need prompt medical care and cannot fill that spot in our Doctors’ and Nurses’ calendars which is just not fair to them (their time is valuable as well you know).

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You can always reach out to us via text or call at (720) 606-4845 or email us at info@splootvets.com for general questions. if you need to send us your pet's medical records, please do so at records@splootvets.com. We are able to reply to texts or answers calls during during our pet parents experience's operating hours 8am-10pm every day (including holidays and weekends).

In every clinic we have Pet Parent Experience (PPX) Associates who ensure both pet parents and pets are enjoying the highest standards of customer experience, before during, and after your appointments. This concept is very unique in the veterinary space and this is another aspect that sets Sploot apart.

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We will provide the paperwork needed for you to file an insurance claim. Most insurance requires payment upfront (similar to your home or car insurance). You would then be asked by the insurance company to submit a claim for reimbursement, and we will provide with all the information you need to successfully process your claim. We also work directly with Trupanion, and if you hold one of their policies we will be able to process the claim for you and minimize your out-of-pocket expense.

All pet parents (humans) and Sploot employees require to wear masks while at the clinic. This helps us to keep both our team and customers safe.

We follow CDC guidelines and best practices. Employee that is not well will not come in for work. If an employee is tested “positive” for COVID-19, or has symptoms compatible with COVID-19, they will stay at home until resolution of all clinical signs and until they are consistently “negative” on re-test.

At Sploot, we put your and your pet’s health and safety as a top priority. Shared surfaces and equipment are thoroughly disinfected between patients. We have HEPA filters in every exam room and other common spaces to ensure air is circulated and cleaned.

All surgical and dental instruments are sterilized after each use as well, to ensure that potentially harmful pathogens do not persist on equipment after use. Lastly, when we are treating a patient that is confirmed or suspected of having an infectious disease we will follow a strict protocol to isolate them and limit exposure to the other patients.

We accept both CareCredit and ScratchPay. These are payment plans/financing solution that will help you pay for treatments and procedures.

To learn more or apply please click on the following links:

• CareCredit
• ScratchPay

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We are cashless. We accept all major credit and debit cards, such as Amex, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa credit cards.

Being cashless help us to:

• Keep you and our team are safe
• Provide smoother service
• Allow us to focus on your pet instead of accounting

We can easily provide itemized invoice at the end of each treatment, as you check out. We can provide an electronic invoice directly to your email or a printed copy. If you need a copy of your invoice feel free to email us at info@splootvets.com or text us at (720) 730-8890 and we will send you one.