Frequently asked
questions

While we love the puppies and kittens, our friendly and professional staff also enjoys working with more unique pets such as small mammals including bunnies, ferrets, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, sugar gliders and more. We have two doctors who treat domestic fowl such as ducks, turkeys, geese and chickens. We also treat amphibians reptiles of all sorts.

PPVC has always taken an interest in the scaly buddies that excite so many people. We treat frogs, toads, salamanders and newts. Turtles, tortoises, lizards and snakes (no alligators please) all have a place in our hospital. We recommend you bring your reptile in for a visit while he or she is healthy so that we can get you into our system and get a little familiar with them.

While we can occasionally see a parrot, parakeet or other exotic bird, to be sure you get excellent care, we recommend you get established with a facility that does see exotic birds. We do see backyard fowl: chickens, ducks and geese.

Our online store carries heartworm medications, flea and tick prevention and pet food. The store offers free 3- to 5-day shipping with no minimum purchase.

Tolliver’s Angel Fund allows us to care for stray kittens and cats that we rehab or otherwise get ready for adoption in our reception area. While we fund much of their care ourselves, Dr. Marsden created this fund in hopes of engaging the community in the care of these lost souls. Tolliver was a kitty with a huge heart who Dr. Marsden adopted from a feline nutrition research facility while she was in college. Tolliver was white, blue-eyed and deaf, and he loved everybody: kittens, dogs, baby robins, even squirrels! PPVC takes donations and adoption fees in honor of Tolliver and as a bridge for caring people to help these kitties find their forever homes. Our donation box on the reception counter accepts small change and bills, but we can also accept checks or credit card payment for larger amounts. Help us help our kitty community!

If you are a new client, please call 719-475-1747 so we can find out exactly what you need and try to schedule the right doctor for your pet’s needs. Once established, you can make appointments through the PPVC Vet app, which you can download for free through Apple or Google Play stores.“

Our clinic hours vary from season to season. See our current hours on our Contact page.

Yes! We moved into this building in 2009 and are always excited to share what we do with those who want a behind-the-scenes look at the world of veterinary medicine. You can ask for a tour when you are here for a visit. You can also schedule a tour for your boy/girl scout troop, 4-H club, school class or other group.

We accept cash, check, major credit cards, Care Credit and Scratchpay.

A popular option for financing pet care, Care Credit is a healthcare credit card designed to assist you, your family and your pets with healthcare needs. This card does require a credit check. Once you are accepted, you can use the card over and over again for a variety of health and pet care needs. If your bill is over $200, you can get no-interest terms as long as you pay the monthly minimum and pay it off within the time established between you and your veterinary office.

You can apply for a Scratchpay loan right on your phone. Scratchpay offers simple, transparent payment plans and the clinic you are working with is paid right away. Scratchpay is not a credit card and your credit score will not be affected when you apply for Scratchpay.

Yes. There are many pet insurance options available, each with their own pricing structure and covered expenses. Here are basic guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association to help you choose the best plan for you:

The AVMA recognizes that viable pet health insurance programs may be an important approach for the veterinary profession to continue to provide high-quality veterinary services.

Pet health insurance policies should:

• Require a veterinarian-client-patient relationship;
• Allow policyholders to choose their own veterinarians, including specialists and emergency and critical care facilities;
• Never interfere with the veterinarian’s fee structures;
• Be approved by the state insurance regulatory agency where the policy is sold;
• Be consistent with the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics and the pet health insurance industry ethical standards;
• Use licensed veterinarians to assist in claims adjudication;
• Be clear about policy limits, pricing structures, and optional coverage (eg, coverage for annual wellness visits) that might be available to policy holders;
• Be transparent about how the terms and conditions of plans will impact coverage and costs, including the financial obligations of policy holders such as co-pays, deductibles, and exclusions;
• Communicate clearly about the fee reimbursement process (ie, how reimbursements are determined and how quickly reimbursements are provided to policy holders).

To get you started, go to Pet Insurance Review. PPVC does not specifically endorse any of the pet insurance plans.

We at PPVC believe there is a “right” dog for everyone. It’s a good idea to find out more about the needs of different breeds before you get a puppy so you are ready to handle what they may throw at you. In that vein, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has come up with a handy evaluation tool that can help you select the right breed for you.

We often have cats and kittens (occasionally dogs and puppies) available for adoption right in our clinic. Check our Blog for posts about current adoptables. The adoption fee is $75 to help cover the costs of food, care, vaccinations and sometimes a spay or neuter. PPVC requires that you fill out adoption paperwork that will be reviewed by our staff. Call to make an appointment to meet any of the current pets available for adoption: 719-475-1747.

Our Pet Health Library contains an extensive database of articles on all kinds of medical conditions and medications.

We recommend the following to help with pet behavior and training:

• All Breed Rescue & Training (ABRT) — Dog training
• Canine Contentment — Dog training
• Colorado Dog Works — Dog training
• Cutie & the Beast — Cat and dog training
• Good Dog & Co — Training for various pets
• House of Dog — Dog daycare and training
• Pinecone Pups — Dog training
• Zoom Room — Dog training
• Animal Behavior Associates — Behavior articles
• The Cat Behavior Clinic — Cat behavior tips

PPVC does not provide after-hours emergency care. If you have an after-hours pet emergency, please contact one of these local emergency clinics on our Services page. You may also try Animal ER Care on North Nevada Ave. They are open 24 hours a day: 719-260-7141.

Should you find a wild animal that is injured or babies that seem to have lost their parents, please download the Animal Help Now app on your phone. This app will link you with a certified wildlife rehabber near your exact location. You may also try Animal ER Care on North Nevada Avenue. They are open 24 hours a day: 719-260-7141.

If the pet will come to you, check to see if it has tags. If so and you can safely contain the pet, contact the owner. If you have nowhere to safely harbor the animal or it has no tags, bring it to the nearest veterinary hospital where they should have a microchip scanner and the ability to safely shelter it until the owners can be located. You can also read the American Kennel Club’s recommendations and the Humane Society’s suggestions about how to handle a stray pet. You can look up microchip numbers for lost pets through the AAHA.