Great Paws Veterinary Hospital

Great Falls
Great Falls, Va 22066

(703)389-9335

www.greatpawsvet.com

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Here are some questions/answers that we are frequently asked. If you have additional questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to give us a call at (703) 389-9335.

Our hospital is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Yes, patients are seen by appointment.

Cash, Check, Mastercard and Visa

Payment is required at the time of service.

No, we do not board pets.

Our No-Show/No-Call Policy is in place to ensure that we can provide the best care and service to all of our patients. If an appointment is missed without prior notice or cancellation, a fee will be applied to the owner's account.

If you miss an appointment without contacting us to reschedule or cancel, a fee of $45 will be applied to your account. We understand that things come up unexpectedly, but we kindly ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

The fee helps cover the costs of the time and resources reserved for your appointment. When a scheduled appointment is missed without notice, we miss the opportunity to care for another pet in need during that time slot. The $45 fee allows us to continue providing timely care to all of our patients.

To avoid the fee, simply let us know at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment if you need to cancel or reschedule. You can contact us by phone or email.

 

FAQ: Prescription Refills

 

We require 48 hours' advance notice for most prescription refills to ensure that our doctor has adequate time to review your pet’s medical history, confirm that the medication is still appropriate, and prepare the prescription. This allows us to provide the best possible care and avoid delays in getting your pet the medication they need.

We understand that sometimes refills are needed unexpectedly. While we always strive to accommodate urgent requests, we ask that you allow at least 48 hours for prescription refills. This time ensures proper review and preparation. If you need a prescription sooner, please contact us as soon as possible, and we will do our best to assist you, though immediate fulfillment may not always be possible.

If the prescription is for medication prescribed by another veterinarian, we may need to review your pet’s medical history to ensure the medication is appropriate and safe. This may take additional time, and we encourage you to allow extra time for these requests.

 

FAQ: Why Don't We Work Directly with Chewy
and Other Online Third-Party Retailers?

 

As a small veterinary practice with one doctor, we prioritize providing personalized, high-quality care to each of our patients. Due to our limited staffing, we simply do not have the capacity to manage the volume of phone calls and administrative work that third-party retailers require. These calls often need the doctor’s attention and can take time away from caring for patients.

Third-party retailers like Chewy sometimes call several times to ask the same questions, request approval, or ask to speak directly with the doctor. Since our doctor is the only provider available, when they are in surgery or appointments, they are unavailable to take these calls. This can delay prescriptions, which may affect a patient’s treatment plan and overall health.

Yes! We can provide you with a written prescription, signed by the doctor, which you can submit to online retailers. You are welcome to take it to any online pharmacy of your choice.

Our doctor does not take phone calls from third-party retailers. We understand that this may be an inconvenience, but our primary responsibility is to the health and care of our patients. As a result, we cannot prioritize phone consultations with online retailers.

Of course! We are happy to call in prescriptions to a local pharmacy of your choice or provide you with a written prescription. We want to ensure your pet gets the care they need, whether through local pharmacies or online retailers, but we must keep our focus on patient care and maintaining an efficient, effective service for everyone.

If you have an urgent prescription request, please let us know as soon as possible. While we may not be able to interact directly with online retailers, we will do our best to ensure your pet’s medication needs are met promptly through local pharmacies or by providing you with a prescription. Please note that we usually require 48 hours' advance notice for most prescription refills, so plan accordingly to avoid delays.