? Why does the vet have to examine my animal if I want to buy medicine, “shots”, and flea & tick products?
Short Answer: State and Federal laws require that a veterinarian examine an animal in order to diagnose or treat the animal, or to prescribe or dispense medications. Vaccines, flea & tick products, and veterinary prescription diets also fall into this category and are considered medicines/treatments being prescribed/dispensed by a veterinarian.
Your animal must have been examined at least one time in the previous 12 months to obtain medicines/treatments for your animal. A new exam may be necessary if something has changed with your pet, such as an illness or injury, and needing a new/different/change in prescription or treatment, for your animal.
A veterinarian can be disciplined, including fines and/or having their license to practice veterinary medicine revoked, if they break the law.
Long Answer: State and Federal laws require that a Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR) be established in order for a veterinarian to diagnose or treat your animal or to prescribe or dispense medications.
A VCPR is established only when your veterinarian examines your animal in person. The VCPR is maintained by regular veterinary visits to monitor your animal’s health and their response to medications or other treatments.
An examination by the veterinarian is required at least once every 12 months in order for your animal to be prescribed care. However, examinations and testing may be required more often than once a year, to monitor your animal’s health and ensure the appropriateness of continuing any medications or treatments your animal has been prescribed.
For a Veterinarian, the VCPR means: The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition. This means the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of an examination of the animal or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept.
A veterinarian-client-patient relationship cannot be established solely by telephonic or other electronic means.
For the Client, the VCPR means that the owner or other caretaker of the animal, agrees to follow the veterinarian’s instructions.
For answers to more questions regarding the VCPR, please see the FAQ list on the American Veterinary Medication Association website.
To see a synopsis of the VCPR rules by state
To see a synopsis of Rabies vaccination rules by state
For info on Federal regulations regarding the VCPR/VFD
For info on Federal law regarding the VCPR and extralabel & antimicrobials
For info on the newest Federal law regarding the VCPR and over-the-counter (OTC) antimicrobials taking effect June 11,2023
? I’ve been coming here for years, why does my animal have to be examined again by the vet so I can buy something?
See question above regarding the VCPR.
? Why does my animal have to be vaccinated for rabies every year?
Our area city and county laws require that rabies vaccinations are given every year. Veterinarians are required to follow these laws. A rabies vaccination can be given only after the veterinarian and pet owner has properly established a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship.* See above question for info on establishing a VCPR.
To see a synopsis of state rules regarding rabies vaccinations, click here.
? I’ve heard that the antibiotics I’ve always bought at the feed store are not going to be available anymore. What do I do if my animals need these medicines?
Animal owners will need to have established a Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship in order to obtain needed medications, or a prescription for these medications. See question above regarding examinations being required to establish a VCPR. Click here for info from the FDA for farmers & ranchers regarding this new law.
We strongly encourage you to have your pets and/or herd examined and a VCPR established BEFORE you have an emergency. This will allow us to provide care better and faster. Waiting to establish a VCPR until you have an emergency could cause a delay, or an inability, for Dr. Robinson to care for your animals.
? Why do I need to have my animal vaccinated for the same thing several times, isn’t one time enough?
No, only vaccinating one time is not enough, unfortunately. Your animal’s immune system learns to fight diseases by being exposed to germs. It is impossible to know how long your animal’s immune system will remain “on guard” against the diseases they have been vaccinated for. This is why we recommend certain vaccinations to be given once a year, or more, depending on the disease being vaccinated against and your animal’s risk of disease exposure.
Young animals have immature immune systems and it is not possible to know exactly at what age each animal’s immune system will kick in and hold the antibodies in its system for a longer period. Repeated vaccinations at shorter intervals for young animals helps to keep their immune system stimulated to fight disease while their body and immune system is still growing and maturing. This is why we schedule puppy and kitten vaccinations as often as every few weeks, depending on age, to keep your young animals safer against disease while they grow up.
? Why must my pet have vaccinations to be groomed, boarded, or have certain other care at the vet’s office?
Germs are everywhere and they are so tiny that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. You and your pet can come into contact with germs anywhere, that could be brought into the clinic on their fur, or on your shoes, etc. While we work hard to keep the clinic clean and disinfected, there is always a chance that your pet could come into contact with a germ that could make your pet ill. Keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date when coming for grooming, boarding, or other services, helps protect your pet, and other pets and people, from disease.
? I called to get some advice but the person on the phone told me I had to bring my animal in for the vet to see. Why couldn’t they just tell me what I wanted to know?
While our receptionists and other staff are able to answer some questions when you call or come to see us, they are not veterinarians. There are some questions that only a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine can answer – otherwise our staff would be practicing veterinary medicine without a license, which is against the law.
There are times that a physical exam, and sometimes diagnostic testing, is the only way for Dr. Robinson to make an accurate diagnosis to provide proper treatment or advice, so our staff will ask you to make an appointment. See the above question regarding the VCPR and examinations.
? Do you do house calls / farm calls?
Yes, we do house calls and farm calls, with some limits. **We do NOT have a fully stocked farm/house call vehicle. This limits what we can do outside of the clinic. We need to have a good idea of what to bring with us, in order to come to you. In some cases, depending on testing or treatment needed, you may be required to bring your animal to the clinic anyway, since there is no way to bring every piece of equipment to you.
For farm/large animals, you need to have your farm and large animals contained and ready to be examined. We cannot chase your animals all over your pasture. If you can’t catch them, we can’t catch them.
(Note – we are carrying Equine Pheromones at the clinic, which can help with calming horses and donkeys, making it easier for you to load them in a trailer, have farrier work done, etc. These pheromones do not require a prescription, so you are welcome to come buy them without Dr. Robinson having examined your equine.)
In some cases you may be required to have a chute, stanchion, stocks, etc. Some procedures, including certain types of examinations, require that your animal be contained and not able to move much. This is for the safety of our staff as well as your animal. If you do not have the equipment to keep your larger animal immobilized to allow us to do the necessary procedures, you will need to bring your animal to the clinic for care.
If you desire a house/farm call, please call us so we can discuss what type of care your animal needs. This way we can determine if it is something that can be safely done at your home/farm, or if you animal will need to come to the clinic for care.
Extra fees apply for house/farm calls.
?Do you see emergencies?
Yes, we see emergencies. Please call ahead when possible.
Calling ahead allows us to care for your pet better. Calling ahead lets us be prepared for what type of emergency you are coming in with. Sometimes we already have an emergency case at the clinic, or Dr. Robinson is out of the clinic or out of town, or we don’t have the equipment for the type of of emergency you may have. Calling ahead lets us determine if we can see your animal right away, or refer you to another clinic for faster care care or to a clinic that has the equipment needed to care for your animal.
When we are unable to see emergencies, there are emergency clinics in Longview that we generally refer people to.
?Do you see “exotic” animals and wildlife?
Yes, Dr. Robinson enjoys seeing “exotic” animals, including snakes, turtles, lizards, and pockets pets like mice, hamsters, etc. Dr. Robinson also enjoys seeing birds, and will even see poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc.)
For wildlife, we are able to treat sick and injured wildlife.
However, unless you are an approved/licensed wildlife rehabber, we are not able to perform “optional” care for wildlife, such as spaying/neutering raccoons & o’possums. Unless you are an approved/licensed wildlife rehabber, it is illegal to keep wildlife, so we can’t perform optional treatments so you can keep a wild animal as a pet.
We have several approved/licensed rehabbers as clients and are happy to assist you in getting in touch with them if you find wildlife that needs care. You can also find wildlife rehabbers in the area by going to the Animal Help Now website at ahnow.org/ .
In some cases the local Game Warden may be who you need to speak with. The Game Warden is located at the Sheriff’s Department in Daingerfield. You can see who the Game Warden currently is, and their phone number, by going to the TPWD website.
? I don’t get paid until next week, can I wait to pay you then?
Payment is required at the time we provide you and your animal with services.
We accept cash, checks, and credit cards.
We also accept CareCredit and ScratchPay.
To apply for CareCredit go to https://www.carecredit.com/go/288BDV/
To apply for ScratchPay, text PLAN to 97364 or go to https://scratchpay.com
Pet health insurance is an excellent way to help you set aside money for preventive healthcare and emergencies. Go to https://www.pawlicy.com/ to get more information & find an insurance plan that works for you.