Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs – Richmond Veterinary Clinic in Fox Lake, IL
Voted McHenry County’s best veterinarian in 2022 and 2023, Richmond Veterinary Clinic provides advanced, compassionate care for dogs, cats, and pocket pets in Fox Lake, IL, McHenry, IL, and the surrounding communities. This FAQ page answers some of the most common questions we get about our veterinary services, integrative treatments, preventative care, and how we help pets enjoy healthier, happier lives.
New Clients and General Care
Where is Richmond Veterinary Clinic located?
Our clinic is located at 9902 N Main St, Richmond, IL 60071. We provide veterinary care for the dogs, cats, and pocket pets of Richmond, Fox Lake, McHenry, IL, and the surrounding communities.
If you need help finding us, please contact our team at (815) 678-4700.
What are your office hours?
Our regular office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
What types of pets do you treat?
We proudly care for dogs, cats, and pocket pets. We believe that all animals deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Whether your animal companion needs routine preventative care, treatment for an illness, rehabilitation, or ongoing management of a chronic condition, our veterinary team is committed to providing personalized care.
How do I become a new client?
Getting started as a new client is easy. To schedule an appointment, reach out to us by calling 815-678-4700 or by using our Contact form. You can also use our Appointment Request form. Before your first visit, we suggest completing our Online Forms, as it is very helpful to us to have some background on your pet and their medical history.
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive veterinary care, including Wellness Exams, Vaccinations, Dental Care, Diagnostic Services, surgery, nutritional counseling, parasite prevention, and senior pet care for dogs, cats, and pocket pets.
We also offer integrative therapies such as Laser Therapy, Hydrotherapy, and Acupuncture. These therapies work alongside modern veterinary care practices, often complementing them in a way that lets us provide the best of both worlds. They also help improve comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life.
What makes Richmond Veterinary Clinic different?
We believe every pet deserves individualized care. By combining modern veterinary medicine with integrative therapies, advanced diagnostics, and personalized treatment plans, we can address your pet’s unique needs while focusing on both immediate concerns and long-term wellness.
Do you care for senior pets?
Absolutely. As pets age, their healthcare needs often change. We support our patients through every life stage. Some of the services we provide for senior pets include routine wellness exams, pain management, mobility support, nutritional guidance, diagnostic testing, and integrative therapies. We are dedicated to helping senior pets remain comfortable, active, and healthy throughout their golden years.
Can I request an appointment online?
Yes. For your convenience, you can use our Request an Appointment form to schedule a visit. After receiving your request, our team will contact you to confirm the appointment and discuss any additional information we may need before your pet’s visit.
Emergency and Urgent Care
What should I do if my pet is having an emergency?
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency during our regular business hours, call our clinic immediately so we can provide guidance and determine the best next steps. If your pet needs emergency care when we are closed, we recommend contacting the nearest emergency veterinary hospital as soon as possible so they can receive prompt medical attention.
What signs mean my pet needs urgent veterinary care?
Signs of illness can vary depending on whether you have a dog, cat, or pocket pet. However, some common warning signs should prompt a call to our veterinary team:
- Loss of appetite
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
- Weight gain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Blood in stool
- Blood in urine
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination
- Increased drinking
- Decreased drinking
- Excessive drooling
- Bad breath
- Difficulty chewing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
- Eye discharge
- Squinting
- Red eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid breathing
- Labored breathing
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Collapse
- Fainting
- Fever
- Shivering
- Pain or sensitivity
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Difficulty standing
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of balance
- Paralysis
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Head tilt
- Circling
- Disorientation
- Behavioral changes
- Hiding
- Aggression
- Excessive vocalization
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Itching or scratching
- Hair loss
- Skin redness
- Lumps or bumps
- Open wounds
- Swelling
- Ear discharge
- Head shaking
- Scooting
- Difficulty defecating
- Abdominal swelling
- Bloated abdomen
- Pale gums
- Yellow gums or eyes
- Blue or gray gums
- Bad body odor
- Inability to settle
- Exercise intolerance
- Heat stress
- Toxin exposure
- Ingestion of a foreign object
If your pet is displaying any of these signs, contact us right away for guidance at (815) 678-4700.
Services and Medical Care
What is veterinary laser therapy?
Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and relieve pain. It is often recommended alongside other treatments to help pets recover from injuries, surgery, arthritis, and other painful conditions while improving their overall comfort.
Laser Therapy may benefit pets recovering from surgery, soft tissue injuries, arthritis, joint disease, back pain, wounds, ear infections, hot spots, and other inflammatory conditions.
What is veterinary acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an integrative treatment that involves placing very fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate natural healing responses. It can be used alongside traditional veterinary medicine to help improve comfort, mobility, nerve function, and overall wellness for many pets.
Veterinary acupuncture can be used to treat a wide variety of medical issues, such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, chronic pain, neurological disorders, intervertebral disc disease, mobility challenges, digestive issues, and more. After thoroughly examining your pet, we’ll determine whether acupuncture should be part of your pet’s personalized treatment plan.
What is hydrotherapy?
Pet hydrotherapy is a rehabilitation therapy that uses the natural resistance and buoyancy of water. Because the water supports your pet’s weight, it can improve strength, mobility, flexibility, and endurance without putting stress on the bones or joints. It’s also a great, gentle form of cardio.
We offer hydrotherapy using an underwater treadmill to help pets exercise safely and comfortably. It can help pets recovering from orthopedic surgery, ligament injuries, fractures, neurological conditions, arthritis, obesity, muscle weakness, and other mobility challenges.
Do you offer surgery and diagnostic testing?
Yes. We provide a variety of Diagnostic Services and surgical procedures to diagnose and treat many medical conditions. Using physical examinations, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, and your pet’s medical history, we develop treatment plans tailored to your pet’s individual needs.
Preventative Care and Ongoing Support
Why are routine wellness exams important?
Regular Wellness Exams allow us to monitor your pet’s overall health, detect medical concerns early, and recommend preventative care based on their age, lifestyle, and risk factors. Routine visits also give you an opportunity to discuss any questions about your pet’s behavior, nutrition, mobility, or changing health needs.
What preventative care does my pet need?
Every pet’s needs are unique, but most benefit from routine Vaccinations, parasite prevention, annual wellness exams, dental care, nutritional counseling, and diagnostic screenings. Our veterinary team develops individualized preventative care plans to help your pet stay healthy throughout every stage of life.
Do pocket pets need regular veterinary care?
Yes. Pocket pets benefit from routine veterinary visits just like dogs and cats. Regular exams allow us to monitor their weight, teeth, nutrition, behavior, and overall health while helping identify medical concerns before they become more serious.
What is the Care to Share Program?
This is a referral program, one that gives our clients an opportunity to help others. If you refer someone to our animal clinic, both you and the new client will be credited with $25. Our Care to Share page has more information.
How do you create treatment plans for each pet?
No two pets are exactly alike, so we take an individualized approach to veterinary medicine. After evaluating your pet’s health, lifestyle, medical history, and specific needs, we’ll recommend a treatment plan that may include preventative care, diagnostics, surgery, medications, rehabilitation, or integrative therapies to support their long-term health.
We are proud to provide comprehensive veterinary care for dogs, cats, and pocket pets in Richmond, Fox Lake, and McHenry, IL, and the surrounding communities. If you have additional questions about your pet’s health or the services we offer, we’re here to help. Contact Richmond Veterinary Clinic at (815) 678-4700 or submit an Appointment Request today to learn how we can help your pet enjoy a healthier, happier life.