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Vet in Lake Forest, CA

Serrano Animal & Bird Hospital FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.

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We proudly serve the pets Lake Forest, CA and beyond.

At Serrano Animal & Bird Hospital, we get a ton of interesting questions from pet parents. Below are some common FAQs that might help answer any questions or concerns. Please feel free to call us at 949-855-9744 for any other concerns you might have about your pet.

What kinds of pets do you see?

At Serrano Animal and Bird Hospital, we see almost all companion animals, including cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, rodents, ferrets, hedgehogs, reptiles, amphibians, primates, and fish.

What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, all major credit cards, and CareCredit.
Do you offer payment plans?
Payment is required at the time of services. We accept CareCredit, which offers different payment plan options from which to choose.
Do I need to make an appointment?
Our veterinarians and staff care for pets by appointment only. Whether routine or urgent, please call us so we can best assist you and your pet.
Do I have to vaccinate my pet?

Yes. California and Orange County require all dogs to be vaccinated for rabies. We highly recommend cats to also be vaccinated for rabies as well. If your pet were to bite someone or another animal, or if there is suspected contact with a bat (very common in South Orange County) they are required to be quarantined. If current on their rabies vaccine, this quarantine is often done at home. We only recommend vaccines according to your pet’s lifestyle and risks based on established vaccine guidelines.

Do I really need to get my pet flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives all year round?
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos require freezing temperatures for several days to die, which we do not experience in our area. We often see the worst cases of fleas in the winter when people stop using preventatives. Intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms occur regardless of the weather. These parasites are also contagious to people, especially children. Heartworm preventatives help to control these parasites as well as heartworm disease.
My pet had the same problem last time. Can’t I just get a refill of the same medication?
Every case is unique, but most likely, we will need to examine your pet again, even if they were showing the same symptoms recently. California law requires us to examine a pet every time we dispense medication unless there are specific circumstances. Some medical conditions can show similar symptoms. If we assume it is the same problem, we may not be treating your pet correctly. Certain medications if used repeatedly or inappropriately can result in resistance, which can cause a lack of response or more severe problems.
Do you offer emergency services?
We offer urgent care appointments during business hours for same-day emergencies as available. After-hours emergency services are available from Animal Urgent Care of South Orange County in Mission Viejo. If you call us after hours, the call is automatically transferred to them and they are able to take care of your pet when we are not available.
What do I do if I find an injured wild animal?

DO NOT TRY TO CAPTURE THE ANIMAL YOURSELF! If you get injured, it may result in the animal being euthanized for rabies testing instead of being treated. Please call your local animal control agency. They are trained to assess the animal, safely capture it if needed, and transport it to the appropriate wildlife care facility. In most of Orange County, call Orange County Animal Care Center at 714-935-6848, after hours 714-259-1122. In Dana Point and San Clemente contact Coastal Animal Services Authority at 949-492-1617. In Irvine contact Irvine Animal Services at 949-724-7200. In Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, and Rancho Santa Margarita contact Mission Viejo Animal Services at 949-470-3045. In Newport Beach contact Newport Beach Animal Control at 949-644-3717. In Costa Mesa contact Costa Mesa Animal Control at 714-754-5674.