Frequently Asked Questions

Spay/Neuter/Vaccines

• Book directly via our portal HERE
• If there are no vaccine appointments available in the portal that means all available vaccine appointments have been booked. Please check back on Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week as we open more slots.

Requirements:

• Pets 7+ must have the spay/neuter upgrade package (see pricing) for spay/neuter.

Surgery

• Please text us at 720-500-7784 or “Request Appointment” at the top of page.

Requirements:

• Diagnosis from your regular or emergency vet
• Pet must be spayed/neutered or can be done during procedure
• Bloodwork results within 48 hours from your vet or we can perform for extra cost
• Send all exam notes/diagnostics/results/documents to info@gavccolorado.com

Dentals

• Please text us at 720-500-7784 or “Request Appointment” at the top of page.

Requirements:

• Diagnosis from your regular or emergency vet within 6 months
• Pet must be spayed/neutered or can be done during dental
• Bloodwork results within 2 months from your vet or we can perform for extra cost
• Send all exam notes/diagnostics/results/documents to info@gavccolorado.com

ONLINE SCHEDULING (Spay/Neuter ONLY)

We have the option to schedule your spay/neuter appointment online. Online appointments for spay/neuter/vaccines can be requested at https://gavccolorado.com/apt-req/

NIGHT BEFORE/MORNING-OF SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS

No food after 10pm unless your pet is a younger kitten or puppy.  If younger kitten or puppy, then give a small meatball or teaspoon of food first thing in the morning.  Water is okay for your pet until morning. If your pet is on any of the following medications, they can be given with very minimal food (only coating the pills) or no food:

• Thyroid meds
• seizure meds
• amlodipine
• antibiotics

Please let us know at check in if any meds have been given

DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS

Please drop your pet off at the time you booked your spay/neuter appointment for. Once you’ve arrived in our lobby, check in through our website- www.gavccolorado.com.  You will be asked to fill out paper work online IF you did not already complete it. You can add on services through this form such as vaccines or nail trim, etc.  There is aso the option for blood testing and IV catheter placement.  These are always great things to add;  however, most people elect not to do these unless there is more concern for their pet (ie older age animals.  Brachycephalics (pugs, bull dogs etc.) would benefit from a cerenia (anti-vomiting medication).

YOUR PETS STAY WITH US

Please have your pet go potty before drop off since they likely won’t get a chance to go while they are with us.  This is not a problem for most pets since they haven’t eating anything or had much to drink.  Your pet will be given an oral sedative/pain medicine at drop off and hang out until their turn for surgery. Sometimes, their surgery will be immediately; but other times they may need to wait longer for their surgery especially if we have a critical patient come in for a surgery.  We do not give updates on our spay neuter patients. You are welcome to text us. However, our surgery staff is often very busy with surgeries so there can be a delay in responding.  If there is any concern with your pet, we most definitely will notify you in a timely manner. No news is good news. 

PICK-UP TIME

Plan for pick up around 4:30pm unless we text you otherwise.  Sometimes, we will text you earlier if your pet’s surgery was done early and is recovering quickly.  Other times, we might text you to let you know pick up can be a little later (likely due to a critical pet surgery that needed to go earlier).  Unless you are texted to come later, please be to the clinic by 5pm or we might need to add a late fee of $25 every half hour. The late fee is to help pay for staff that otherwise would have left on time, but now are needing to stay late.

Pet Surgery Recovery Guidelines

• Cone Collar Use:
  • Ensure your pet CANNOT lick the incision site.
  • Keep the cone collar on for 10-14 days to prevent licking.
  • Contact us immediately if your pet licks around the cone.
  • If the provided cone is not tolerated, consider alternatives like soft cones, donut cones, or a body suit from Petsmart/Petco. You can also use a harness and tie the cone to it. Whichever method used, you must still ensure your pet cannot lick the incision.
  • Separate other pets if they try to lick the incision.
• Activity Restriction:
  • FOR 14 DAYS AFTER SURGERY, limit activity (walking, playing, running, etc.) as much as possible during recovery.
  • Cats/kittens are harder to restrict but generally manage well.
  • Dogs may need sedatives, which we can provide upon request with adjustable dosing.
• Vomiting/Diarrhea:
  • Common after surgery due to stress, anesthesia, medications, or vaccines.
  • If vomiting or diarrhea persists, we may recommend stopping the medication.
• Medications:
  • If patient is on these meds, you can restart the following:
    • Apoquel
    • Seizure meds (Keppra, Phenobarbital, Potassium Bromide)
    • Thyroid meds
    • Insulin
    • Urinary incontinence meds

Pet Dental Recovery Guidelines

• Expected symptoms after dental surgery:
  • Blood tinged drool
  • Significant muzzle swelling within 24 hours then goes down within 48 hours
• Cone collar must be used to ensure pet cannot rub mouth or loosen stitches
• Pet should be eating within 48 hours
• Give medicine we sent even if not eating

If you have any further questions or concerns after reading these post-surgery instructions, we recommend that you schedule a surgery re-check for $10.

Yes. At Guardian Angel Veterinary Care, we use dissolving stitches (also called absorbable sutures) for most surgical procedures. These stitches are designed to break down and be absorbed by the body naturally over time, eliminating the need for removal. This means you won’t need to schedule a follow-up visit just to take out stitches, making the healing process simpler and more convenient for you and your pet. The time it takes for the stitches to dissolve varies depending on the type of surgery and your pet’s healing process but typically ranges from 1–3 months. We do recommend monitoring your pet’s incision site during recovery for any signs of swelling, redness, or discharge. If you notice anything unusual, feel free to contact us so we can assist. Our goal is to ensure your pet heals comfortably and safely!

GAVC takes a significant amount of steps to try to keep the cost low for you. Here are some examples:

• Text messaging as our primary form of communication equals less staff time devoted to communication in the form of phone calls, checking voicemails etc.
• Online scheduling so that you, the owner, can schedule yourself for an appointment.
• Pre-surgical online paperwork that we request you fill out.
• Our surgeons are not board certified. However, we have a significant amount of experience performing surgeries since we perform many surgeries every day. This means you can feel good knowing that your pet’s surgeon has a great amount experience but you won’t have the high costs that are typically involed with board certified surgeons.
• Our surgeons are very efficient and fast since they have so much experience. This lessens surgery/anesthesia time for your pet. A win-win. We can fit in more surgeries in a day and your pet is not under anesthesia for long.
• Our anesthetic patients are monitored with a base level of equipment monitoring- pulse oximetry (measuring heart beat and oxygenation level), temperature, and blood pressure for longer procedures. Both surgeon and pet nurses work together to recognize any signs that a patient may not be doing well that might show up prior to machines recognizing an issue. We do not offer EKG.
• We do not offer hospitalization after surgeries. Most all of our surgery patients recover at home (usually due to owner cost constraints and inability to afford hospitalization at urgent/ER clinics). However, transfer to urgent/ER clinics post surgery is always an option.
• High volume and high efficiency. In order to be lower cost we need to get through more surgeries than most other clinics. There are many behind the scenes steps that we take to do this.
• All of these steps enable us to provide surgeries at half the cost or even more compared to other clinics. Please check out our pricing page for pricing on specific surgeries.

Dogs

Rabies Vaccine

Why it’s needed: Rabies is a viral disease that is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. It’s a public health concern because it can spread to humans. When to vaccinate: Puppies typically get their first rabies shot around 12–16 weeks of age, with a booster a year later. Adult dogs should be vaccinated every 1–3 years, depending on the vaccine type and local regulations. Severity: Rabies is 100% fatal for dogs and humans after clinical signs develop. Vaccination is also legally required in Colorado.

Distemper Vaccine (DHPP)

Why it’s needed: Distemper is a viral disease that attacks multiple body systems and is highly contagious. This vaccine typically includes protection against parvovirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza. When to vaccinate: Puppies receive their first shots at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16–20 weeks old. Adult dogs get a booster at one year and then every 1–3 years. Severity: Distemper is often fatal, causing neurological symptoms, respiratory distress, and seizures. Survivors may have permanent damage.

Parvovirus Vaccine (Included in DHPP)

Why it’s needed: Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. It’s especially deadly in puppies. When to vaccinate: Vaccination schedules are the same as for DHPP. Puppies start at 6–8 weeks with boosters until 16–20 weeks, followed by adult boosters. Severity: Without treatment, parvo has up to a 90% fatality rate, especially in young dogs. Early vaccination is critical to prevention.

Leptospirosis Vaccine

Why it’s needed: Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can damage the liver and kidneys and is zoonotic (transmissible to humans). Dogs can contract it from wildlife or contaminated water. When to vaccinate: The first vaccine is given at 12 weeks, with a booster 2–4 weeks later. Annual boosters are recommended for dogs at risk. Severity: Untreated, leptospirosis can be fatal due to kidney or liver failure. Prompt treatment improves the prognosis.

Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough)

Why it’s needed: Bordetella is a bacterial infection causing coughing and respiratory issues. It’s highly contagious, especially in social settings like dog parks or kennels. When to vaccinate: Puppies can get this vaccine as early as 6–8 weeks. It’s given every 6–12 months for dogs at risk. Severity: Bordetella is rarely fatal, but severe cases may lead to pneumonia, particularly in puppies or immunocompromised dogs. .

Cats

Rabies Vaccine

Why it’s needed: Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be transmitted to humans. Cats are the most commonly reported domestic animal to contract rabies in the U.S. When to vaccinate: Kittens should get their first rabies shot at 12–16 weeks old, with a booster at one year. Adult cats require revaccination every 1–3 years, depending on the vaccine used. Severity: Rabies is nearly 100% fatal after symptoms appear in both cats and humans. Vaccination is also required by law in most areas.

Feline Panleukopenia (FPV) Vaccine

Why it’s needed: Panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is a highly contagious viral disease that causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid dehydration. It’s often included in the FVRCP vaccine. When to vaccinate: Kittens receive their first shot at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16–20 weeks old. Adults get a booster at one year, then every 1–3 years. Severity: Panleukopenia is frequently fatal in kittens, with death occurring within 24–48 hours of severe symptoms. Survivors may suffer from lasting immune issues.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) Vaccine

Why it’s needed: FeLV weakens the immune system, leading to secondary infections and cancers. It’s spread through saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids. When to vaccinate: Recommended for kittens as early as 8 weeks old, with a booster 3–4 weeks later. Annual boosters are advised for cats who go outdoors or are exposed to other cats. Severity: FeLV is not curable and can be fatal over time. Vaccination is critical for at-risk cats.

We accept cash, all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover), Scratch Pay, and Care Credit. We do not accept checks. For non-spay/neuter surgeries we require a deposit at the time of surgery. For dentals, we require a $100 deposit to schedule. We can take payments in the clinic, over the phone or send a convenient link to pay online.

Payment Plans

At Guardian Angel Veterinary Care, we strive to keep our services affordable while maintaining high-quality care. While we do not offer in-house payment plans, we accept CareCredit and Scratchpay, which provide flexible financing options for pet owners.

• CareCredit: This is a healthcare credit card that allows you to pay for veterinary services in manageable monthly payments. You can apply online at www.carecredit.com or by calling CareCredit directly at 1-800-677-0718.
• Scratchpay: This service offers simple payment plans with no hidden fees. You can apply online at www.scratchpay.com to check your eligibility instantly without impacting your credit score.

Both options are quick to apply for and can help you manage unexpected veterinary expenses.

At Guardian Angel Veterinary Care, our priority is to make essential care accessible and affordable for all pet owners. To keep our services as affordable as possible, we’ve streamlined our communication by accepting text messages only. This approach helps us minimize operational costs, such as hiring additional staff to manage phone lines and reducing the time spent on lengthy calls. By focusing on text communication, we can handle more inquiries efficiently, prioritize urgent cases faster, and dedicate more resources to caring for your pets. Additionally, texting ensures accurate information exchange, reduces wait times, and allows us to respond even during busy clinic hours. We appreciate your understanding of our efforts to keep costs low while providing compassionate care for your furry family members.

We currently DO NOT OFFER wellness exams, sick exams or regular checkups. At Guardian Angel Veterinary Care, our focus is on providing high-quality, affordable surgical and specialized services for pets. While we understand the importance of routine wellness care and checkups, we do not offer these services because our clinic is primarily dedicated to surgical procedures such as spay/neuter, dental cleanings, emergency surgeries, and vaccines. By concentrating on surgery and vaccines, we can ensure that we deliver expert care, shorter wait times, and lower costs for these critical services. For routine exams and general wellness, we encourage pet owners to maintain a relationship with a full-service veterinary clinic. Our team is here to support your pet’s surgical needs, working alongside your regular veterinarian to keep your furry friends healthy and happy.

Guardian Angel Veterinary Care’s mission is to assist pets/clients where finances are an issue, but also to help with the pet overpopulation in general. Besides offering low cost spay/neuter services, we also partner with many rescues.  Therefore, in return for using our low cost services, we will require your pet be spayed or neutered before or during their procedure. We are sorry if this causes any inconvenience. You are welcome to call around to see if another clinic might not require the spay/neuter.

GAVC offers TNR services to support community, stray, and barn cats while preventing future litters. We receive no funding and make no profit from this service. Please be respectful of the following rules or else we will cancel your appointment:

Kennel/Trap Requirements

Cats must be in a metal trap for safety (ours and theirs). One adult per trap; kittens following adults are fine.

Multiple Cats

Label traps and identify cats to track notes (e.g., lactating, pregnant, wounds, dental issues).

Ear Tipping

Required for all TNRs. No ear tip means higher fee—contact us for pricing.

No CPR

Not performed on TNR cats due to unknown history, outdoor return, and low fees.

Scheduling Priority

Owned pets and emergencies come first, so TNRs may be later in the day. For lactating moms, notify us to prioritize same-day return.

Care and Monitoring

Same surgical standards as owned pets, but ferals often need higher anesthetics due to adrenaline. Recovery typically in-trap to prevent escape.

Booking Process

Text clinic ASAP (even night before) for best chance. Early contact (overnight or pre-9 AM) often allows same-day. Later requests may not. We usually DO NOT OFFER SATUDAY TNR APPOINTMENTS due to our volume of emergency surgeries—check at 9 AM for any possibility.

TNR Spay and Neuter cost

$25

Wounds

$25 for exam if already spayed/neutered or 0 charge if done during TNR procedure. We will reach out with recommendations. If surgery is needed, we may not be able to do on same day as exam.

Check-In

Scan QR code and select “TNR” on the form.

Since GAVC does not offer general appointments for sick, wellness, and/or diagnostic appointments (ex: vomiting, bloody stool, yearly checkup, itching/allergies, etc), we have curated a list of other clinics that may be able to help. If surgery is deemed necessary at any point, feel free to reach back out to us to book an affordable surgery!

• DFL Spur (more affordable!)
• Planned Pethood Plus (more affordable!)
• Pet Care Coalition (more affordable!)
• Maxfund (more affordable!)
• Liberty Animal Hospital (more affordable, orthopedic options)
• Animal Surgical Care (more affordable, orthopedic options)
• Northside Emergency Pet Clinic (urgent care, more affordable emergency)
• Animal Urgent Care (urgent care, more affordable emergency)
• UrgentVet- multiple locations (urgent care, more affordable)
• Petwell Clinics- multiple locations (walk-in)
• VEG clinics- multiple locations (urgent care, can talk to vet prior to appointment)