Bramer Animal Hospital bases its fee structure on what we believe to be an exceptional and unsurpassed level of care and concern for your pet. Our goal is to provide veterinary medical and surgical protocols that reflect a progressive facility while remaining competitive in the local communities of Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glenview, Rogers Park, West Rogers Park, West Ridge, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, North Park, and Uptown.

We always discuss our fees with you prior to initiation of medical treatment and will gladly provide you with a printed estimate for services at your request.

An annual physical examination and consultation is the cornerstone of preventive health maintenance for your pet. This includes a complete physical examination, assessment of your pet current health status and recommendations for appropriate immunizations, laboratory testing, diet, exercise, and other measures to improve the quality and longevity of life for your companion. This examination also establishes a doctor-client-patient relationship. This relationship allows us to consult on medical or behavioral problems on the phone and be able to make recommendations or discuss best options for the problems or concerns.

A bi-annual examination is recommended for all dogs over 7 years of age and cats over 10 years of age to more closely monitor and maintain patient care. As pets age on average of 5-7 years for each calendar year, this again is like an annual examination and consultation in its scope and goals. More comprehensive laboratory testing maybe suggested as needed or desired in this age group.

Immunizations:

Rabies vaccination protects pets from rabies, a fatal neurologic disease. Although rare, because of its fatal outcome and potential spread to humans, it is required by law of all dogs and cats in Cook County: indoor cats are not exempt from this. In dogs after the initial vaccination at 4 months of age, then next vaccine can be given (1 year later) as a 3 year immunization.

Distemper-Hepatitis-Parvo-Para influenza Vaccination protects dogs against distemper a multi-system affecting viral agent; hepatitis which affects the liver; Parvo which affects the bone marrow, intestinal tract, and heart; and Para influenza which affects the respiratory system. This is given as a series of vaccinations in puppies and every 3 years in adult dogs.

Bordetella Vaccination protects dogs against the main bacterial agent of infectious canine bronchitis or “kennel cough”. Currently it is required by most dog care facilities as well as dog parks and the Evanston dog beach. This is an annual vaccination.

Leptospirosis (4-way) Vaccination protects dogs against leptospirosis infection. This disease causes a “flu-like” syndrome (loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting etc.) but can localize in the liver or kidney causing significant disease in these organs. This vaccination starts as a series of 2 vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart, then annual vaccination thereafter.

Immunizations:

Rabies: see dog description, but is required in Cook County even if the cat is an indoor pet. The safest vaccination that is available for cats comes in only a one year duration version.

Feline Upper Respiratory group and Feline Distemper Vaccination protect cats against 2 upper respiratory viruses and feline distemper (also called panleukopenia) which causes bone marrow and intestinal disease (like canine Parvo virus). This is given as a series in kittens and every 3 years in adult cats.

Feline Leukemia Vaccination protects cats against a feline-only immunodeficiency virus which causes many problems and is linked to the development of lymphatic cancers of the cat. It is really only a risk cats with direct exposure to the virus. This is considered to be primarily outdoor and stray cats.

Fecal testing is done annually in outdoor cats and all dogs on an annual basis to screen for intestinal parasites.

Heartworm testing is done annually on all dogs over the age of 6 months to screen for the possibility of heartworm infection. This is the only way to detect this infection before any symptoms can occur.

Wellness laboratory testing or profiles can be done as often as needed to more completely assess body functions in dogs and cats. It is often done yearly in older dogs and cats as part of a more complete assessment of health. There are many different profiles available depending upon what is needed for the individual pet with age, breed, sex and medical history helping guide the decision. Both blood and urine are used in wellness laboratory testing.

Methods of Payment

Bramer Animal Hospital accepts the following methods of payment at the time services are rendered:

• Major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card)
• Debit/Check Card
• Personal checks
• Cash

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