Frequently Asked Questions
Email: BloodBank@rbvh.net – this is the best way to get in touch with us!
Phone: (732) 747-3636 – ask for Lauryn in the Blood Bank
An initial exam with extensive blood screening is performed on each candidate. This bloodwork screening is complimentary for our superhero candidates.
Cats: We prefer cats that are somewhat comfortable with the process of coming to the hospital, which can be a challenge! Cats must be between the ages of 1-7 years old and must weigh more than 10 pounds. They must also be healthy, up-to-date on vaccines, and have no history of major disease.
Cats have two major blood types (A and B) and a rare blood type (AB). Up to 90-95% of all cats in the United States are Type A. Cats can only receive blood transfusions of their own blood type, so we carefully screen the blood of the donor and the recipient to avoid any complications.
Dogs have at least 6 different blood types known as Dog Erythrocyte Antigens (DEA). At Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, we blood type all of our blood donor and blood recipients to ensure the best match. More advanced blood testing, called cross matching, can be utilized for dogs and cats that have had transfusions in the past.
These reasons can be categorized into 3 general causes of anemia (low red blood cell count).
- Major blood loss or bleeding may necessitate a blood transfusion. This may be caused by trauma (a fall, getting hit by a car), surgery, or other major illness such as cancer.
- Destruction of red blood cells at the microscopic level may be caused by diseases such as infections, toxins (penny ingestion), immune system malfunctions (i.e. immune mediated hemolytic anemia, or IMHA), or cancers.
- Decreased production of red blood cells can be caused by bone marrow disease. This may include infections, cancers, toxins (certain medications), or cancers.
- Please give us a call at (908) 359-3161 when you arrive and a member of our team will come out and greet you at your car
- Once your pet is inside, the doctor will call you to discuss their exam and answer any questions you may have
- After your pet’s exam, a member of our team will return your pet to you at your vehicle, answer any last-minute questions, and finalize all paperwork and payment
When interacting with our staff, we ask that you please wear a mask at all times and maintain a social distance of 6 feet.
If you are feeling ill or have recently traveled and your pet needs medical attention, if possible, please try to arrange for another person to bring your pet to the hospital.
We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate these challenging times and keep everyone safe and healthy!
- We ask that you follow all posted guidelines within the hospital. We are following CDC guidelines and ask that unvaccinated individuals wear a mask inside the hospital. Masks are optional for vaccinated individuals.
- Please give us a call at (908) 359-3161 when you arrive to check-in. Once checked-in, a member of our team will then meet you in the lobby to escort you to an exam room.
- If the exam rooms are occupied, we may ask you to wait in the waiting room until an exam room is free. However, the general waiting room capacity is limited to 6 clients and the cat waiting room capacity is limited to 1 client.
- If we reach max capacity, we will ask you to remain or return to your car and we will call you once we have an exam room available
ER will remain curbside until further notice.
- Please give us a call at (908) 359-3161 when you arrive and a member of our team will come out and greet you at your car
- Once your pet is inside, the doctor will call you to discuss their exam and answer any questions you may have
- After your pet’s exam, a member of our team will return your pet to you at your vehicle, answer any last-minute questions, and finalize all paperwork and payment
- If your pet is experiencing an emergency and you are able, please call ahead at (856) 429-4394 and select OPTION 1
- If you are entering through our emergency room, please park in the FRONT of the hospital in a numbered spot
- If you are bringing your pet to see one of our specialists, please park on the LEFT of the building in a numbered spot
- If you are bringing your pet in for euthanasia, please park on the LEFT of the building in spots 5-7. A team member will meet you at our comfort room door and escort you and your pet inside
- Please call the front desk (856) 429-4394 to let us know which spot you are located in and a technician will meet you at your car
- Please remain in your car, or at one of our shaded benches until you have spoken with a doctor regarding your pet’s status
- Use of the restrooms within the hospital is allowed, but please call (856) 429-4394 and speak with a team member prior to entering the building
- If you do enter the building, we ask that you follow all posted guidelines within the hospital. We are following CDC guidelines and ask that unvaccinated individuals wear a mask inside the hospital. Masks are optional for vaccinated individuals.
- If your pet is being admitted into the hospital, do not leave until all admission forms have been completed
Still not sure what to do? Check out this tutorial video from our Hospital Director:
- If you are a new client, we ask that you please complete this “New Patient” form prior to your pet’s appointment.
- For appointments, admits, discharges and pharmacy pick up, upon arrival please check-in to let us know you’re here using the link below:
- Link to Check-In: https://www.redbankvet.com/rbvh-in-tinton-falls-curbside-check-in/
- Click here to download our helpful handout to learn more about how to use our QR code/url check-in method
- Find an Attendant: On most days, we have parking lot attendants walking around and available to help you check-in if needed.
- Link to Check-In: https://www.redbankvet.com/rbvh-in-tinton-falls-curbside-check-in/
- Once you are checked-in, a staff member will call you and gather any necessary information over the phone to prepare for your pet’s visit.
- We will then greet you at your car and bring your pet into the hospital for their visit. After we perform our exam, we will call you to discuss findings and answer your questions.
- Following the exam, you will be contacted by one of our team members regarding next steps for any outstanding paperwork and collecting payment. One of our clinical staff members will return your pet to you at your car.
Additional Information & Resources:
The whole team is welcome to experience our new space and meet some of the specialists that provide care to your patients.