Frequently Asked Questions

At El Paseo Animal Hospital, your pet’s first appointment includes a thorough nose-to-tail exam. We check vital signs, heart and lung function, skin, teeth, joints, and overall health. We’ll also review your pet’s background, address concerns, discuss vaccines, and create a wellness plan so you feel confident about your pet’s care moving forward.

While we don’t offer around-the-clock emergency care in our clinic, we will direct you to nearby 24-hour emergency hospitals if something happens after hours. Once your pet has been treated, we’re happy to continue care and follow up with you at our hospital.

El Paseo Animal Hospital provides a wide range of services, including routine wellness visits, advanced diagnostic care such as X-rays and ultrasounds, surgical procedures like spaying and neutering, dentistry, pain control, and in-house lab work. We support pets through every stage of life with customized preventive and treatment plans.

Yes — same-day visits may be available depending on scheduling. While booking in advance is recommended, we’ll always try to accommodate urgent needs and see your pet as quickly as possible.

Absolutely. When booking, you may request your preferred veterinarian. We value consistent care and will make every effort to schedule your pet with the doctor you trust most.

Your first visit includes a complete physical exam, discussion of any health concerns, vaccine recommendations, and preventive care planning. We’ll also talk about nutrition and develop a personalized wellness approach to help support your pet’s long-term wellbeing.

Yes — spay and neuter surgeries are part of our surgical offerings. These procedures help control pet overpopulation while also contributing to your pet’s overall health.

You’ll find El Paseo Animal Hospital at 72608 El Paseo , Suite 4, Palm Desert, CA 92260. We’re open Monday through Friday and ready to help care for your pets and arrange appointments.

Routine wellness visits allow us to detect potential issues early, keep vaccines current, and track changes as your pet grows or ages. These exams help us build proactive care plans that support a longer, healthier life.

If you notice sudden changes in your pet’s appetite or behavior, reach out to us right away. These signs may point to discomfort or illness that should be evaluated promptly by our team at El Paseo Animal Hospital.

Some pets may have minor reactions such as sleepiness or mild stomach upset. We’ll review possible side effects with you, explain what to monitor at home, and adjust treatment if necessary.

At El Paseo Animal Hospital, we use diagnostic tools alongside customized pain management strategies — including medications and supportive therapies — to help pets stay comfortable while promoting recovery for both short-term and long-term conditions.

Yes — ultrasound imaging is very safe. It uses sound waves rather than radiation to create internal images, allowing us to evaluate organs and conditions in a gentle, non-invasive way.

Yes. Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays and ultrasound,s can identify tumors or internal changes early, helping us begin treatment sooner and improve outcomes for many conditions, including cancer.

Early appointments focus on growth monitoring, vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutrition advice, and behavior guidance. These visits help establish a strong foundation for your puppy or kitten with complete exams and preventive care.

Start by exchanging scents, then allow brief, supervised visual meetings before progressing to shared spaces. Make sure each cat has separate food, water, and litter areas, and allow introductions to happen gradually to minimize stress.

Yes — oral disease can cause discomfort that leads to mood changes, decreased appetite, or withdrawal. We evaluate dental health and recommend appropriate care to help keep your pet pain-free.

Regular tooth brushing, veterinarian-approved dental products, and routine professional cleanings all play an important role in preventing plaque buildup and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Healing time depends on the type of surgery, but many pets begin improving within a few days. Complete recovery may take several weeks. We provide clear aftercare instructions and ongoing support throughout the healing process.

To arrange a surgical consultation, simply call or book online with El Paseo Animal Hospital. We’ll walk you through the procedure, preparation steps, and answer any questions ahead of time.

Most pets enter their senior years around age seven, though this can vary by size and breed. As pets age, their health needs change, which we closely monitor during routine exams.

Older pets typically do best with veterinary visits about twice yearly. These checkups help us catch changes early and adjust care plans to maintain comfort and quality of life.