Downers Grove, IL

FAQs

You have questions, we have answers.

We Proudly Serve Pets in Downers Grove, IL, and Beyond

At Finan Animal Hospital, we get a ton of interesting questions from pet parents. Below are some common FAQs that might help answer any questions or concerns. Please feel free to call us at (630) 985-2777 for any other concerns you might have about your pet.

Please browse our frequently asked questions.

How much will my visit cost?

A 30-minute nose-to-tail examination with consultation for current clients with the doctor is $72.

A new client/patient exam to establish care is $87. All new clients must prepay for their pet’s exam. This holds your slot for the appointment time and is nonrefundable if you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or no show for your appointment.

We cannot provide you with more detailed pricing prior to your visit because we do not know what your pet needs until we meet him or her. We don’t do “cookie-cutter” vaccination protocols for our patients, so every pet is treated as an individual. Once we evaluate your pet and prior to providing any treatment, you will be provided with a complete written treatment plan detailing the costs of your visit. We don’t like surprises when it comes to money, and we know you don’t either.

If you’re looking for the cheapest vet in town, we’re not it. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality care for your pet.

Can you see my bird/reptile/rabbit?
The only exotics we treat here are ferrets. Otherwise, we recommend Ness Exotic Wellness Center:

Click here to learn more.

Why does my pet need an exam? Can't he just get his rabies vaccine without an exam?
According to Illinois state law, a rabies vaccine must be administered by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will examine your pet’s overall health and suitability for vaccination. It is imperative that your pet gets a full examination at least once yearly to check for things you’re not able to see at home such as dental infections, heart murmurs, ear infections, etc. Your time with the veterinarian is valuable. We hope you’ll use this opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your pet’s health.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes please! Spending enough time with you and your pet is important to us. To make this possible, we ask that you call and make an appointment.
Do you do boarding or grooming?
No, we are a medical facility only. Of course, we are happy to trim your pet’s nails while here, but we do not offer full-service grooming.

We do recommend a number of groomers and boarders. Please check out one of these options:

Grooming:

Daycare/Boarding:

Dog walker/Pet sitting:

Do you offer training?
We do not have training at our facility but we highly recommend Enjoy Your Dog They have trainers that are CPDT-KA certified.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA®) measures a broad range of knowledge and skills in ethology, learning theory, dog training technique, and instruction. It is one of the top certification processes for trainers.

How to Choose a Professional Dog Trainer or Behavior Consultant:

Step 1: Look for our certifications
The designations are: CPDT-KA®, CPDT-KSA®, CBCC-KA®.

  • CPDT-KA® indicates that a dog trainer has passed a comprehensive exam and has at least 300 hours of dog training experience.
  • CPDT-KSA® indicates that a dog trainer has passed a comprehensive exam and an objective skills-based assessment along with at least 300 hours of dog training experience.
  • CBCC-KA® indicates that a dog behavior consultant has passed a comprehensive exam on behavior modification and has at least 300 hours of dog behavior consulting experience.

Step 2: Assess the trainer
Browse the trainer’s website and any other marketing materials. Does everything look and sound professional? Do the messages appeal to you? If so, set up a phone call or in-person meeting. Can the trainer answer your questions about training, behavior, and methods knowledgeably and clearly? Is she (or he) patient and thorough in her replies? Do you feel comfortable with her? Does she have experience working with the problems you need help with? Can she provide references from clients?

Step 3: Beware of red flags
A couple of things should raise a red flag in your assessment. If the trainer focuses on a model of dominance and submission—using language like “dominant” and “alpha” —or uses primarily punishment-based methods, that trainer doesn’t meet the standards of science-based training.

For free online lessons for you and your pup visit

What is heartworm? Why does my dog need heartworm pills?
Heartworm is a very serious and potentially deadly disease carried by mosquitos. As we all know, mosquitos are common in Illinois. Even pets who only go outdoors briefly are at risk of contracting heartworm. Heartworm is exactly what it sounds like- large worms that grow in your pet’s heart preventing the heart from functioning properly. Heartworm is very expensive and dangerous to treat, which is why prevention is so much easier (and less expensive). Thankfully the prevalence of heartworm has gone down in recent years thanks to responsible pet owners administering monthly heartworm prevention pills to their pets. Prevention pills are administered year-round even though we don’t see mosquitos in the cold winter- this is because of the way the pill works.

For more information on heartworm please visit the American Heartworm Society, please click here.

Do you accept insurance? How does that work?
We are happy to accommodate you regardless of what pet insurance company you use. Pet insurance companies usually have you, the pet owner, pay the bill up-front at the vet’s office. After your visit, you submit the paid receipt and a claim form to the insurance company. They will review the claim and issue you a check.
What do you charge for spays and neuters?
We do not publish our spay and neuter prices. The price varies depending on your pet’s age and size, anesthetic needs, pre-anesthetic labwork, etc. Once we meet you and your pet, we are happy to provide a written detailed estimate.

Click here to learn more.

What are my options for payment? Do you have any payment plans?
Payment is due at the time of service. If you’d like to make payments we recommend doing so through CareCredit. CareCredit offers deferred interest payment options for up to 12 months. You can see if you qualify for CareCredit here.
My pet hates coming to the vet. What can I do to make it easier?
Your pet can sense your stress about his/her visit. We try to make the environment here feel as calm and relaxed as possible. You’ll find soothing music in the exam rooms, fuzzy blankets for cats, lots of treats, and gentle handling of your pet for exams. If you know ahead of time that your pet will be stressed, please call us to talk about it prior to the exam. There are medications available to administer to your pet at home prior to your visit to help him feel less nervous while he’s here.

We also recommend stopping by for “happy visits.” During these visits, you drop in with your pet to get some treats and pets, and then you’re on your way. Hopefully, these visits will help your pet know there’s nothing to fear at the vet’s office.

Can I buy my pet's medications cheaper online?

Of course! Please visit our online pharmacy by clicking here. This provides the convenience of quick online orders sent to your home from a reputable source-us!