Frequently Asked Questions

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at info@holisticalvets.com.

General

How is HolisticalVets different from other mobile veterinary services or brick-and-mortar veterinary facilities?

HolisticalVets focuses on different things to make us unique.

We thought about the usual stressors in veterinary medicine (e.g., 15 minute appointment slots resulting in not enough time to talk to clients or help pets feel comfortable and relaxed, crowded and busy waiting rooms filled with stressed out animals, trying to catch pets to put them in the car to travel to the veterinarian, the “just get it done” mentality, etc.) and we wanted to stay away from all that.

So, we decided to take time out of the equation, because we wanted to make sure there was ample time and resources available to help a pet be relaxed and comfortable. Which is why, instead of the usual 15-30 minute appointments you usually see at a veterinary facility, our appointment time is 1 hour, with an additional hour set aside in case your pet needs it.

Since we come to you and your pet, you also no longer have to worry about how and when you’ll get your pet to the veterinarian or if they’ll be further stressed out waiting in the lobby.

We also stayed away from the “get it done” mentality and we went through the extra step of getting Fear Free certified. It’s important for us to treat pets how we would like to be treated: with respect, kindness, understanding, patience, and compassion. We listen to what pets are telling us (after all, non-verbal communication can be just as powerful as verbal communication) and we work with the pet, not against them and therefore, we won’t force a pet to do something they don’t want to do.

In addition to the 8 years of schooling required to become a veterinarian, we also underwent countless hours of additional training and education to become proficient in veterinary acupuncture, Tui-na, food therapy, and herbal therapy and we’ve obtained certifications in veterinary acupuncture (CVA) and food therapy (CVFT), with certifications in Tui-na and herbal therapy coming soon.

Our core values guide everything we do. We believe in the combination of conventional and holistic approaches to provide well-rounded care for your pet. We are open and honest in our communication, sharing information to empower you as a pet owner. Our focus is on your pet’s individual needs and comfort. We strive for high-quality care, keeping up with the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. Most importantly, we treat every pet and owner with kindness, compassion, and respect, creating a caring environment where you and your pet feel supported.

What services does HolisticalVets provide?

HolisticalVets currently offers select holistic services (which consist of veterinary acupuncture and Tui-na for all animal species, along with food therapy and herbal therapy for dogs, cats, and horses), in-home euthanasia services and personalized pet memorial keepsakes for dogs, cats, pocket pets (e.g. guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, hamsters, rabbits, mice, rats, etc.), and birds, and virtual Quality of Life telehealth consultations for dogs and cats. HolisticalVets also currently provides product and telemedicine consultations. For more information about services, products, and associated prices, please visit our services and pricing page.

Which counties does HolisticalVets travel to?

HolisticalVets provides services to pets in Somerset County, Middlesex County, Mercer County, Monmouth County, Ocean County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Salem County, Cumberland County, Atlantic County, and Cape May County in New Jersey.

Which species does HolisticalVets treat?

HolisticalVets is able to offer acupuncture and Tui-na to pets of all species, food and herbal therapies to dogs, cats, and horses, in-home euthanasia services and customized pet memorial keepsakes for dogs, cats, pocket pets (e.g. guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, hamsters, rabbits, mice, rats, etc.), and birds, and virtual Quality of Life telehealth consultations for dogs and cats.

How long is an appointment?

In-person appointments are scheduled for 1 hour; however, if the veterinarian feels that your pet needs more time, the appointment may be extended for up to a maximum of 2 hours at no additional charge. Quality of Life telehealth consultations are for up to 30 minutes.

Why is there a 2 hour (120 minutes) estimated time of arrival?

Since HolisticalVets has an extremely large service area (twelve counties) and travels to multiple locations per day, we wanted to set aside some time to account for traffic and other unexpected delays.

What is Fear Free and why are you certified in it?

Stress can cause a great deal of negative effects on the body. As humans, many of us get stressed out when going to a doctor (and that’s with us knowing what’s going on). Therefore, it’s easy to understand how a pet may easily get stressed in the same situation.

Fear Free helps to eliminate some (or hopefully all) of that stress by focusing on an animal’s physical and emotional wellbeing. By using Fear Free techniques, everyone, including the pet, is happier and safer and a higher quality of medicine is achieved. To learn more about Fear Free, please visit the official Fear Free website.

Other than in-home euthanasia, does HolisticalVets offer any emergency services or conventional services?

HolisticalVets only offers in-home euthanasia services, Quality of Life telehealth consultations, and certain holistic services and is therefore not a full service veterinary facility. Therefore, HolisticalVets does not provide any emergency services or conventional/Western medicine (except for in-home euthanasia and the occasional sedative if needed for holistic treatments).

For this reason, we require that all of our patients have a primary conventional/Western veterinarian, especially since there may be times that HolisticalVets recommends conventional/Western diagnostics and treatment. View our list of local emergency and urgent care facilities.

Will pet insurance cover HolisticalVets' services?

There are many pet insurance companies that cover holistic and euthanasia services. HolisticalVets recommends that you contact your pet insurance company to see what they cover. If/when pet insurance is used, often times, the pet insurance company will reimburse you directly after you’ve paid for veterinary services and HolisticalVets will be more than happy to provide your pet insurance company with the indicated documentation (e.g., invoice, your pet’s medical records) when needed.

What's the best way to reach HolisticalVets?

HolisticalVets’ primary mode of communication is via email (info@holisticalvets.com) and it is the best way to reach HolisticalVets.

Messages through social media accounts or other email addresses are not routinely monitored and HolisticalVets is unable to accept to any information/questions regarding pet concerns, medical questions, and appointments, etc. to any form of communication other than email to info@holisticalvets.com.

In-home Euthanasia

How do I know when it's time to say goodbye to my pet?

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, and deciding when it’s time can be one of the hardest choices you’ll ever face.

To offer guidance and support, we provide Quality of Life telehealth consultations for dogs and cats, where we can discuss your concerns and help you assess your pet’s comfort and well-being through video conference.

We’ve also provided a Quality of Life Assessment Form to help you reflect on your pet’s daily experiences and gain clarity as you navigate this emotional decision.

Will my pet be given sedation or anesthesia prior to being euthanized?

At HolisticalVets, we believe in providing compassionate care to all pets, including during their end-of-life journey.

To ensure your pet’s comfort, we will administer profound anesthesia before proceeding with the euthanasia. In order to give the anesthetic the best chance of working properly and to help your pet relax, we ask that the environment around your pet be quiet, calm, and free from anxiety at all times and that any handling of your pet (e.g., petting, hugging, etc.) be done so in a soft and quiet manner.

Is there a possibility of my pet reacting in any way during any part of the euthanasia process?

At HolisticalVets, we know that every pet is unique and may react differently to the medications used during the euthanasia process. While some pets may experience a slight sting or discomfort from the initial anesthetic injection (if the anesthetic is given via injection and not orally), we take great care to minimize any discomfort they may feel. In some cases, pets may require additional anesthetic injections to ensure that they remain calm and comfortable throughout the pet euthanasia process (those subsequent injections are much less likely to be felt or noticed by the pet due to the effects of the pain-relieving effects of the first anesthetic).

Medications are a vital part of the pet euthanasia process, and pets can respond to them differently, just like humans do. During the euthanasia process, it is normal for pets to exhibit various reactions. Some of these reactions (which include, but are not limited to, muscle movement/tremors, agonal breaths, loss of bowel control, eyes remaining open, arching of the body, legs stretching out, etc.) may seem scary or surprising (especially if/when seen for the first time) and some reactions have a higher risk of occurring if the pet has an underlying disease. We cannot predict exactly if or how a pet will react until it happens; however, please be assured that HolisticalVets is experienced in assisting both you and your pet through any reactions that may occur, even those not specifically mentioned in this paragraph. Your pet’s comfort and peace are our highest priorities and the anesthetics we use essentially induce a state of deep sleep, where pain, stress, worry, confusion, and consciousness are eliminated; therefore, should any reactions occur, your pet will not be aware of their occurrence.

How long will the euthanasia process take?

The duration of the euthanasia process can vary significantly, ranging from a few minutes to over an hour. It’s important to note that sick or debilitated pets may take longer to metabolize the medications used, as their organs may not be functioning properly. Conversely, in rare cases, pets with severely compromised health may pass away from the anesthetic alone. Rest assured that once your pet is fully anesthetized, they are completely unaware of their surroundings and are unable to experience any pain.

Is HolisticalVets able to euthanize animals that show aggression?

Signs of aggression, such as growling, hissing, attempts to bite, snap, scratch, resistance to being petted or held, and not allowing injections, can be displayed by animals for various reasons, including fear, pain, stress, and protection. It’s important to note that these signs of aggression do not imply that the pet is inherently bad. However, due to the in-home nature of our services, we are regrettably unable to provide euthanasia for animals exhibiting such signs. This precaution is necessary to prevent potential risks of injury to the pet, the pet owner, and our employees. Therefore, we strongly recommend that pet owners who anticipate a higher risk of their pet displaying signs of aggression contact their primary veterinarian or veterinary clinic. They can offer additional safety measures to protect both the pet and the veterinary staff during the euthanasia process.

Please note: At HolisticalVets, we prioritize the health and safety of both pets and humans. If a pet shows signs of aggression during an appointment, we cannot proceed with the euthanasia. In such cases, a fee of $275 will be charged to the credit card on file to cover travel time and resources utilized. While we understand that animals may be more prone to biting when they are sick, injured, or fearful, it’s important to be aware that if a pet bites a human, the bite must be reported to the local public health department as required by law. Additionally, if the bite occurs within 10 days of the pet’s passing, whether from euthanasia or other causes, New Jersey state law mandates rabies testing on the pet, regardless of its rabies vaccination status. Due to the at-home nature of our services, we cannot perform euthanasia or rabies testing in such cases (and a fee of $275 will be charged to the credit card on file to account for travel time and resources used if we are already on the premises). In such situations, two legal options are available: (a) postponing the euthanasia and strictly quarantining the pet, provided the pet is not actively suffering; or (b) proceeding with euthanasia and rabies testing at a veterinary facility with the necessary capabilities. If option (a) is selected and the pet passes away on its own before the 10-day quarantine period ends, rabies testing is still required by law.

What happens if my pet tends to be anxious, fearful, and/or stressed?

If you believe that your dog or cat may experience fear, anxiety, or stress before the euthanasia process begins, we highly recommend that you consult with your primary veterinarian and ask for a small amount of “fear-free” medication. This medication can be given to your pet a few hours before the euthanasia appointment to help alleviate any fear, anxiety, or stress they may have. Please be assured that we will also administer an anesthetic at the beginning of the in-home euthanasia appointment to ensure your pet’s comfort and well-being throughout the entire process.

If there are other animals in the household that have the potential to exhibit aggression towards animals or people, we require that they be securely confined away from our employees at all times. This precaution is taken to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

Reducing Fear, Anxiety, and/or Stress in Pocket Pets and Birds:
To ensure the comfort of your bird or pocket pet (a small mammal such as a guinea pig, hamster, chinchilla, ferret, rabbit, mouse, rat, etc.) and minimize any fear, anxiety, or stress, HolisticalVets may request that you gently pick up your pet from their enclosure and embrace them during the process.

What happens if I need to reschedule or cancel my pet's euthanasia appointment?

Please understand that we reserve the right to discontinue/refuse service and/or cancel appointments at our discretion and at any time. If such a situation arises, we will promptly notify you through the email address you provided (or in person if we are already at the appointment location). This policy particularly applies when euthanasia appointments are made primarily for convenience or involve animals displaying aggressive behavior, as we are not able to offer our euthanasia services in those circumstances. Additionally, this policy extends to appointments that go against our Code of Conduct or ethics.

If you need to reschedule or cancel a scheduled euthanasia appointment for any reason before we begin our journey to the appointment location or before our team has prepared and gathered the necessary resources, there will be no charge to the credit card on file, as we completely understand that circumstances can change and decisions may evolve in regards to euthanasia. However, please be aware that if our staff has already initiated the trip, begun preparation, or arrived at the appointment’s location, a fee of $275 will be charged to the credit card on file regardless of the reason(s) the appointment was rescheduled or cancelled. This fee accounts for the time and resources dedicated to making the journey and preparing for the appointment, allowing us to continue providing compassionate care to other pets and clients. Therefore, due to our extremely large service area, please notify us via email (info@holisticalvets.com) at least 4 hours before your scheduled appointment time to avoid cancellation or rescheduling charges. For example, if your in-home euthanasia appointment is set for 11am, please email us by 7am at the latest. While we process rescheduling and cancellation requests during our business hours (8am – 5pm, Fridays through Tuesdays), we also accept requests outside these hours. If your request is received outside of business hours, the timestamp of your email will determine if a cancellation/rescheduling fee applies.

To reschedule or cancel, please email us at info@holisticalvets.com and we will email you back during our business hours once we receive your email. If looking to reschedule your appointment, please check our scheduler for available days and times, and in your email, specify your preferred new appointment slot. Once we receive your request, we will let you know (via email) if we can reschedule the appointment to your requested day/time. If we are able to accommodate your request, you will also receive a confirmation email detailing the new day/time.

We genuinely appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding our policies. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@holisticalvets.com.

Does HolisticalVets perform convenience euthanasias?

Convenience euthanasia is defined by many as the euthanasia of psychologically and physically healthy animals that are no longer wanted. Since HolisticalVets is a veterinary practice that believes in providing compassionate, honorable, and ethical veterinary care, we only perform euthanasias that are medically indicated (such as when a pet’s quality of life is declining) and we are unable to perform euthanasias requested for the sake of convenience. Therefore, if we determine at any time that a pet is not a candidate for euthanasia for any reason, we reserve the right to decline to perform the service (please be aware that $275 will be charged to the credit card on file to account for travel time and resources used if our staff has already initiated the trip or arrived at the appointment’s location).

Which towns are included in HolisticalVets' service area for in-home pet euthanasia?

HolisticalVets provides in-home pet euthanasia services for cats, dogs, pocket pets, and birds in all towns near you in Monmouth County, Ocean County, Burlington County, Cumberland County, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Salem County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Middlesex County, Mercer County, and Somerset County in New Jersey.

Holistic/Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM)

What is TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine)?

TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) is an adaptation from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), which has been around for about 3000 years. Like TCM, TCVM focuses on the patient wholly and entirely. It does this by not just focusing on symptoms that tell you something is wrong, but also focusing on the body, mind, spirit, and environment, which helps resolve imbalances in the body and promote health.

What makes TCVM's Tui-na and acupuncture different from other bodywork systems?

It’s no surprise that are multiple types of bodywork systems out there. What makes TCVM’s Tui-na and acupuncture different is that treatment is based on a TCVM pattern diagnosis, which is made using the pet’s medical history and current exam findings. It is this pattern diagnosis that determines the correct and appropriate treatment for a pet.

An example of this would be a patient that exhibited diarrhea and was diagnosed with colitis (inflammation of the colon) in conventional/Western medicine. However, in TCVM, the diagnosis of colitis can be broken down further into a pattern diagnosis (e.g., Spleen Damp Heat, Spleen Qi Deficiency, etc.) and treatment is different depending on which pattern the colitis actually stems from.

As you can see, treating the appropriate pattern treats the underlying cause of the colitis, not just the symptoms. In the same manner, when HolisticalVets begins to offer food and herbal therapies, the ingredients and herbs chosen for a pet will depend on the correct TCVM pattern diagnosis.

What makes TCVM's Tui-na and acupuncture different from other bodywork systems?

What is a VCPR (veterinary-client-patient-relationship) and why is it important?

A valid and legal veterinary-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) begins with a physical exam of the pet, and it is formed when there is mutual trust and respect between the client and veterinarian/veterinary entity, as it relies on communication and agreement to grow, foster, and succeed.

Without mutual trust, respect, communication, and agreement, it is impossible to help the pet involved, as both parties are unable to work together effectively, which results in a failed VCPR. Without a valid and current VCPR, a veterinarian/veterinary entity is not legally allowed to treat a pet or offer medical advice for that pet.

By law, in order to provide any kind of medical advice or prescription for a pet, a physical exam for that pet is required at least once a year to maintain a VCPR. In addition, an updated physical exam is required for any new concerns or a change in medical status.

For a pet to receive holistic treatment from HolisticalVets, why is required for the pet to have a primary conventional veterinarian?

HolisticalVets firmly believes that an integrative approach, where both conventional/Western and holistic/Eastern medicine are utilized, offers the best care for animals and there may be times where HolisticalVets recommends conventional/Western diagnostics and treatment for your pet. In the same manner that conventional medicine is not a substitute for holistic medicine, holistic medicine is not a substitute for conventional medicine. However, when both are used together, pets can reap the benefits from both.

Is there anything I should keep in mind when requesting a TCVM/holistic appointment?

When requesting an in-person appointment, please choose a day/time where you have at least four hours free for your appointment, as there is a two hour (120 minutes) estimated time of arrival window for HolisticalVets to arrive at the designated appointment location and appointments can last up to two (2) hours each.

Appointments for holistic services should NOT be scheduled less than 1 hour after meals and/or exercise, as the scheduled pet’s body needs time to digest and rest prior to treatments. HolisticalVets requires that scheduled pets be easily accessible and available in a safe, secure, and non-stressful room/enclosure at the start of the scheduled appointment time to enable HolisticalVets to provide services.

If a licensed rabies vaccine is available for your pet’s species, HolisticalVets requires that your pet be up to date on their rabies vaccination prior to any holistic service appointments (unless your pet’s medical records state that your pet should not be vaccinated for rabies or if there isn’t an FDA approved rabies vaccines for your pet’s species).

Is there a separate charge for each type of treatment my pet receives?

Nope, no separate charge. 😊 Charges are based on the number of appointments per pet, not the type or number of treatments provided. So, for example, if your pet receives both acupuncture and Tui-na during the same appointment, you will not be charged an additional fee for one of those treatment modalities.

However, if you’re interested in a product or service that’s not included in an appointment session (e.g., food recipes, herbal products, telemedicine or product consultations, etc.), there is an additional charge for that. There is also an additional travel charge associated with each appointment. To see what is or isn’t included in an appointment, please click here.

Why is there an additional charge for questions I may have about products and diets that are not associated with HolisticalVets?

As you can imagine, there are hundreds of pet food diets and non-prescription supplements and medications. While some can be safe for your pet, unfortunately, there are many others that are not safe. If you happen to have questions about any of them, HolisticalVets wants to make sure that we provide you with answers that are based on research and experience, since your pet (and their safety) is our priority. In order to accomplish this, additional time for research is required in order to provide you with the appropriate medical advice and correct information.

Let's talk
about your
pet!

Please feel free to email us at:

info@holisticalvets.com

(Emails are monitored daily from 8am – 5pm, except for Wednesdays, Thursdays, and some holidays)

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Business Hours:

Fridays: 8am – 5pm
Saturdays: 8am – 5pm
Sundays: 8am-5pm
Mondays: 8am – 5pm
Tuesdays: 8am – 5pm

(HolisticalVets LLC may be closed on some holidays)

2360 Lakewood Rd. Unit 3, Suite 136, Toms River, NJ 08755
info@holisticalvets.com
(848)-276-7238

HolisticalVets provides loving, professional in-home pet euthanasia services throughout New Jersey. We serve all towns and cities in Ocean, Atlantic, Monmouth, Mercer, Burlington, Middlesex, Cape May, Somerset, Cumberland, Camden, Salem, and Gloucester counties.

The information provided by HolisticalVets LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) on HolisticalVets.com (the “Site”) and via social media is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site and social media is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site or social media. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR SOCIAL MEDIA OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

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