FAQs

Our veterinarian is on-call for emergencies after hours: If you need to speak with someone after hours, you can call our main line at (304) 425-9944 and our answering service will pass the message along to a doctor who will assess the situation over the phone with you.

Even if you are not the owner, the dog will need immediate medical attention. Contact Animal Control for the county in which the accident occurred immediately and make arrangements to have them seen as soon as possible or take them to an emergency vet clinic right away.
The Animal Control Officer for Mercer County WV is Melissa Meachum. She can be reached at (304) 487-5020 from 8AM - 4:30 pm and (304) 487-5095 after hours.

Compared to human medicine, if paid out of pocket, veterinary services are relatively inexpensive. For example, for patients not covered by health insurance, a hysterectomy typically costs from $10,000¬$20,000 or more. A comparable spay (hysterectomy) for a dog under 30 lbs. typically costs from $160¬$200. The cost of medical care, whether for humans or pets, is a combination of many factors: the increasing cost of medical supplies from manufacturers, costs associated with maintaining a small business, etc. However, efforts have been made to make pet healthcare affordable through insurance plans, as well as third-party financing through the following lenders: Option 1, All Pet Card: please visit their website: https://allpet.com/
Option 2, One Main: located at 1253 Stafford Dr. Princeton WV 24740 (in the Kroger Plaza next to Dollar General) or please call them at 304-425-8389
Option 3, Lendmark: located at 150 Courthouse Rd Suite 104, Princeton WV 24740 (in the shopping center across from Sheetz) or please call them at 304-487-5761
Option 4, Care Credit: please visit their website: www.CareCredit.com

Our clinic accepts walk-ins and some emergencies as well, which means we can be delayed by urgent care appointments. These urgent appointments are often time sensitive, involving critically ill or injured pets, which understandably take priority. Additionally, our veterinarians are thorough and meticulous: not satisfied with "band-aid" solutions, or “one-size-fits-all” treatments, they seek the source of the problem to improve the long-term health of the pet. This dedication to quality healthcare sometimes means there might be a wait to be seen, but please remember the veterinarian will always give your pet the same amount of attention and care when your pet is seen.

Payment is due at time of service. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, All Pet Card, One Main Financial, Lendmark, and Care Credit.

Even if you are not the owner, the dog will need immediate medical attention. Contact Animal Control for the county in which the accident occurred immediately and make arrangements to have them seen as soon as possible or take them to an emergency vet clinic right away.
The Animal Control Officer for Mercer County WV is Melissa Meachum. She can be reached at (304) 487-5020 from 8AM - 4:30 pm and (304) 487-5095 after hours.

Yes and no, we can see emergencies based on availability and situation. While we can see some emergencies, we are not an emergency clinic (the main difference being that we aren’t set up to take in new patients based on need or urgency, but rather to take patients based on a schedule). We are also not staffed 24 hours a day.
Should our schedule allow and should we be able to provide the services your pet would need, we can see urgent and/or emergent cases. However, some cases need more immediate, involved, or specialized treatment than what we would be able to provide and we would need to refer you to one of the closest 24 hour emergency clinics. While we do have an on-call veterinarian that can be reached after hours for phone consultations, after-hours emergencies would also need to be referred to one of the 24 hour emergency clinics.
If we refer your pet to an emergency clinic, it isn’t that we are refusing to treat or see them, but rather that we feel the pet would be best served either sooner than we would be able to see them or by a facility with different capabilities. We pride ourselves on maintaining a very high standard of care for our patients and, ultimately, our team wants what is best for them.

Much like emergencies, we can, on occasion, take walk-ins. However, we don’t recommend coming in without at least calling ahead first so that our treatment team can assess the situation and advise the best course of action as well as to maintain minimum wait times. Should you walk in, we will make every effort to have you seen, but depending on the situation and your pet’s needs, there will likely be a wait, and we may still need to refer you to an emergency clinic or specialist if the veterinarian deems that is what is best for your pet.

It mostly comes down to patient intake and triage. Like your family doctor, we are a general practice that sees patients by a schedule. This means that should we take in patients not on our schedule, the schedule then gets pushed back, and appointments that have been planned for now run late.
We are also not staffed 24 hours a day nor are we staffed to provide options such as overnight care or round-the-clock monitoring as an operating emergency clinic would.
Conversely, an emergency clinic is set up to take in patients based on need and urgency which is determined when the patient is triaged upon arrival. This means that patients who need to be seen immediately are prioritized over those who could wait to be seen.

We are pleased to say that we do offer boarding services now. We can board cats and dogs, and you can find full details on our main website. Feel free to call to set up a reservation and/or get an estimate. We do not offer grooming unless medically necessary at this time.

The Food and Drug Administration and the State Veterinary Board have strict laws concerning the use of prescription medications. Among these are that veterinarians can only prescribe medications where a “valid veterinary-client-patient relationship” exists. In order for this relationship to exist, the veterinarian must examine your pet in-person at regular intervals.

It is actually illegal for veterinarians to diagnose illnesses over the phone. And without having the right diagnosis, treatments are likely to be ineffective, a waste of money, and/or even harmful! We pride ourselves on maintaining a very high standard of care for our patients and, ultimately, our team wants what is best for them.

Most puppies and kittens should start their vaccine series between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Talk to your veterinarian to determine the right timing for your new family member.

Many pets that are “indoor only” actually go outdoors from time-to-time, whether it’s for a brief bathroom break, a trip to the groomers or vets, or even an accidental escape. And for some diseases, direct contact with an infected animal is not required for transmission! For example, parvovirus can be carried into the house on a person’s shoes and cause illness in an indoor only dog. And just finding a bat in your house can put your pet at risk for exposure to rabies. Talk to your veterinarian to discuss which diseases your pet is at risk for.

The active components in vaccines are very fragile and any type of improper handling can make them ineffective. When you purchase vaccines over-the-counter you have no way of knowing if the vaccines were shipped, stored, or mixed correctly. Therefore, by using these products, you have no way of knowing if your pet is protected! Additionally, only your veterinarian can tell you if your pet is healthy enough to vaccinate, and advise you on the proper specific vaccines and vaccine schedule for your pet.

Heartworms are extremely common in the West Virginia area, and can infect both our dogs AND our cats. Heartworms are transmitted from mosquitoes as a juvenile worm known as microfilaria. Unless your pet is on a heartworm preventative, these juvenile worms can mature into adults which can cause serious damage to the animal’s heart and lungs, and may even cause death.
Remember that a monthly preventative not only keeps your dog or cat healthy, but is less expensive than having to treat adult heartworms. The caring doctors at All Creatures can determine which preventative is right for your pet, based on their needs and circumstances. Schedule an appointment at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic for your dog or cat and get them on a heartworm preventative today!

Did you know that often each year for the life of an animal is approximately 7 years for humans? Imagine a 7 year-old dog that doesn’t go to the vet for 3 years. This would be the same as a 49 year-old person not going to the doctor for 21 years! At All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, we recommend yearly exams and blood work as necessary. Taking proper care of your pet during their younger years can mean fewer medications as they age, and may extend the life of your pet. Call one of our veterinary professionals to set up your pet’s yearly appointment today!

All it takes is an open door or open window to allow a mosquito into your home. And since heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, even indoor pets are at risk.

If a dog is infected with heartworms, administering a preventive medication can cause large numbers of heartworm larvae to die at once. This can result in an anaphylactic-like reaction, which, in some cases, can be fatal.

Proper nutrition and weight management is very important for both dogs and cats. Proper feeding without feeding treats and table scraps help to maintain a healthy weight for our pets. It is estimated that over half of dogs and cats are overweight in the United States. Long-term obesity leads to issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, many forms of cancer and decreased life expectancy. Regular visits to All Creatures Veterinary Clinic will include weighing your pet, and our doctors will determine whether or not your pet is overweight. Proper nutrition can also maintain your pet at a proper weight, and our doctors and staff can discuss what foods are best for your pet.

There is some debate as to the best time to have your pet spayed currently, so for the best recommendation, please schedule an exam so we can evaluate your pet. While these are common veterinary procedures, keep in mind that an animal spay is the equivalent of an ovariohysterectomy in a person, and a neuter is a complete removal of the testes. The doctors at All Creatures recommend diagnostic blood work prior to the surgery to ensure the anesthesia is administered as safely as possible. Pain medications should be given prior, during and after the surgery to keep your pet as comfortable as possible.

Your dog or cat needs dental care just as humans do. When the teeth of your pet are not cared for, they develop bacteria-ridden tartar and plaque which can lead to cavities and painful teeth and gums. If your pet’s teeth and gums hurt, it becomes painful to eat and they can become sick. Over time, these bacteria can cause damage to organs including the liver, kidneys and heart. Proper diet and regular dentals can improve not only the quality, but also the length of the life of your pet. Call All Creatures Veterinary Clinic to schedule an exam for your dog or cat to be evaluated for a dental procedure today.

Just as in human medicine, the overall safety of any procedure is based on the type of treatment your pet needs. For example, a spay or neuter for a young animal generally carries less risk than a cancer treatment for a senior animal. Regardless of the type of your pet’s medical needs, All Creatures takes the greatest possible care of your furry family member! Our clinic offers the latest technology including digital x-rays, blood work diagnostics, anesthesia, and monitoring before, during and after your pet’s medical event. Contact All Creatures today to learn more on how we can take care of your pet’s surgical needs.

It is now understood that animals feel pain in much the same way as people do. The caring doctors at All Creatures strive daily to keep pets in their care as comfortable as possible. This means medicating prior to surgery, in a similar manner to human medicine. Our doctors are also experienced in diagnosing age-related pain, including osteoarthritis, and managing the pain associated with the disease. Any time that your pet may be facing a surgical procedure or painful event, our doctors recommend pain prevention. All Creatures only carries products which have been proven safe and effective for pain. If your pet is facing a painful condition, rest assured that the compassionate doctors and staff at All Creatures will provide the most secure care for your pet.

It can sometimes be hard to tell if your pet is suffering or in pain, because animals tend to hide pain as a protective mechanism. Some signs, such as limping or vocalization (whining for example), can be obvious, while others are much more subtle. Changes in appetite, decreased energy level, decreased grooming behavior, and urinating in abnormal places can all be indications of pain. You can also occasionally see an increase in panting, restlessness, or dilated pupils in painful animals. If you have any questions about whether or not your pet is in pain or is suffering, please talk to your veterinarian.

The answer to this question will vary, depending on the change of behavior you are noticing. For example, you may notice your dog or cat exercising less even though they are still relatively young. This could mean anything from arthritis to heartworm disease. For our doctors at All Creatures to properly diagnose a significant change in your pet’s behavior, it is best not to wait and schedule an appointment right away!
While we may sometimes have a wait time for booking an appointment we also offer urgent care (or same day) appointments, as available, and we have a cancellation list so that anyone needing to be seen can be seen sooner should an opening come available.

There are a number of parasites that you may find on your pet in West Virginia. Fleas, ticks, lice, and scabies are common and should be addressed right away; many of these external parasites can be passed on to people, as well as many internal parasites. All Creatures Veterinary Clinic has a complete pharmacy with the safest and most effective medications available today. A consultation is needed to determine which pests your pet may have and which product would be right for them. Call one of the caring team members at All Creatures and schedule an appointment for your pet today.

Yes! Several diseases can be transmitted from pets to people, including ringworm, leptospirosis, roundworms and hookworms, toxoplasmosis, and rabies. Fortunately, many of these diseases can be prevented in pets, which minimizes their occurrence in people. See your veterinarian to discuss ways to keep your pets, and thus, your family healthy.

Yes, we carry Royal Canin pet foods, but they are prescription diets that require an exam and evaluation before being prescribed. We can also get you set up with autoship through our online pharmacy, for free delivery on Hills, Purina, Royal Canin, and other top food brands as well. We also carry Pill Pockets in the clinic to help make administering your pets much needed capsules and tablets even easier.

Yes they do. Prescription food diets aren’t just a change in calorie count or flavor, but designed to support specific needs for specific pets. Providing a pet with a prescription diet that they don’t need could be detrimental to their health.

Yes we do. All of our flea prevention options are based on weight for pricing and what we carry over-the-counter is subject to change, based on the latest veterinary recommendations from our doctors collaborations, in-house.

Yes, and if the flea prevention also does heartworm, we need to have a negative heartworm test on file within the past year, or the past two months if not on consistent heartworm prevention.