Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs – Aspen Commons Animal Hospital in Aurora, CO

Aspen Commons Animal Hospital is an animal clinic that provides veterinary care for dogs, cats, and pocket pets in Aurora, CO, and Southeast Denver, CO. On this FAQ page, we answer common questions about our veterinary clinic, medical services, urgent care, wellness, boarding, holistic medicine, and other pet-care options.

New Clients and General Care

Where is Aspen Commons Animal Hospital located?

We are located at 1842 South Parker Rd. Suite 10, Denver, CO 80231. Although our street address is technically in Denver, we typically serve pet families throughout Aurora, Southeast Denver, and surrounding areas.

What are your veterinary clinic hours?

We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to noon. 

How do I contact Aspen Commons Animal Hospital?

You can reach our veterinary clinic at (303) 368-4171 or use our contact page to send us a message. You can also use our appointment request form to schedule a visit. Please note: submitting the form does not confirm the appointment. A staff member will contact you to finalize the appointment. 

If your pet has an urgent health concern, please call us rather than submitting an online appointment request. This will help ensure the fastest response, and will give us a chance to quickly get more information and provide guidance on transport and, if needed, first aid.

What pets does Aspen Commons Animal Hospital treat?

Our veterinary hospital provides care for dogs, cats, hamsters, Guinea pigs, and rabbits. Dr. Bob James also has experience with a broad range of animals from his earlier large-animal and mixed veterinary work. The considerable experience he has working with different species allows for a very informed and insightful approach. No matter what type of pet you have, you will find that we tailor our care and approach to their individual needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

What makes your veterinary clinic different?

We combine comprehensive medical care with individualized attention for each pet. We also go the extra mile to soothe pets. We utilize things like soft yoga pads, warm blankets, and treats, and provide additional time for animals that are particularly anxious. Additionally, we combine standard, modern veterinary medicine with holistic options, such as acupuncture and homeopathic medicine.

Emergency and Urgent Care

What signs mean my pet needs veterinary care immediately?

Some of the signs that may indicate your pet needs urgent veterinary attention include:

General Emergency Symptoms

  • Respiratory issues
  • Lethargy
  • Fever
  • Severe bleeding
  • Discolored gums
  • Collapse
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Sudden weakness
  • Inability to stand
  • Sudden paralysis
  • Pain
  • Wounds
  • Burns
  • Eye injuries
  • Sudden vision loss
  • Swollen or distended abdomen
  • Repeated unproductive retching
  • Straining to urinate
  • Blood in urine
  • Not eating
  • Ongoing or extreme vomiting or diarrhea
  • Severe dehydration
  • Known or suspected poisoning
  • Foreign object ingestion
  • Sudden disorientation
  • Sudden behavior changes
  • Difficulty delivering babies

Pocket Pet Emergency Symptoms

  • Abnormal or reduced droppings
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Overgrown teeth
  • Excessive drooling
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Sudden loss of coordination
  • Head tilt
  • Unusual discharge

If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, they could potentially have a life-threatening problem. Seek immediate veterinary care. You may contact us at (303) 368-4171 

Does Aspen Commons Animal Hospital provide critical and emergency veterinary care?

Yes. We provide critical and urgent veterinary care during our regular hospital hours. Our Veterinary Critical Care services include urgent medical, diagnostic, and surgical care for serious illnesses and injuries.

What should I do if my pet has an emergency after your hospital closes?

For an emergency after our regular hours, you should contact an emergency veterinary hospital rather than waiting until we reopen. Our appointment information specifically advises pet owners with after-hours emergencies to seek care from an emergency veterinary hospital, while urgent concerns during our hours should be directed to us by phone.

Services and Medical Care

What veterinary services does Aspen Commons Animal Hospital offer?

Our veterinary services include wellness care, vaccinations, allergies and dermatology, nutrition and weight management, cardiology, dentistry, diagnostics, surgery, critical care, behavioral counseling, boarding, house calls, microchipping, wellness plans, holistic medicine, and adoption assistance. Our diagnostic capabilities include laboratory testing, digital radiology, ultrasound, and endoscopy.

How can you diagnose my pet’s health problem?

Our veterinary diagnostics include blood work, urinalysis, fecal testing, digital radiology, ultrasound imaging, cardiology, and endoscopy. These tests and screenings provide important information about our patients’ health, which we use to diagnose and develop treatment plans for medical issues. 

What types of veterinary surgery do you perform?

Our veterinary surgical services include general, oral, endoscopic, laser, laparoscopic, orthopedic, and ophthalmic surgery. We have a dedicated surgical suite and monitor patients during recovery, with many surgical patients able to return home the same day after the procedure.

Do you offer holistic veterinary medicine?

We offer complementary and alternative veterinary treatments, including acupuncture and homeopathic medicine. Our Holistic Medicine options may be considered for concerns such as pain management or certain acute and chronic health conditions, with treatment selected according to the individual pet.

Why is veterinary dental care important for pets?

Veterinary dental care helps us identify and treat problems affecting your pet’s teeth, gums, and mouth before they become more serious. We provide dental care for dogs, cats, and pocket pets as part of comprehensive veterinary care. Pocket pets can have unique dental concerns, including teeth that continue to grow and may become overgrown or misaligned. Regular oral examinations help us identify these problems and determine when treatment is needed.

Preventative Care and Ongoing Support

How often should my pet have a wellness exam?

The appropriate frequency of wellness exams depends on your pet’s age, health, lifestyle, and individual needs. Our Wellness & Vaccinations care includes physical examinations, preventive medicine, customized vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutrition and weight management, and diagnostic testing when indicated.

Does Aspen Commons Animal Hospital offer pet boarding?

Yes, we offer boarding. The boarding registration form collects pet information, vaccination status, boarding dates, emergency contacts, medications, and special instructions; submitting the form does not itself book boarding, and our staff will contact you to confirm arrangements.

Can Aspen Commons help me find a pet to adopt?

We offer adoption assistance by working with local shelters. We love helping families find the right pet, and are happy to assist you in finding one that is a good fit for your household. Our pet adoption assistance can include discussing the species and breed that may suit your family and helping facilitate the adoption process.

Can I order my pet’s medication online?

You can submit a medication request through our website, and we review your pet’s records before processing the request. Online medication requests may take up to two business days to be reviewed, filled, and made available for pickup.

Aspen Commons Animal Hospital is a veterinary clinic in Aurora, CO. Our veterinary hospital proudly cares for pets in Southeast Denver and the surrounding communities. We provide veterinary wellness, pet vaccinations, veterinary diagnostics, dentistry, surgery, critical care, behavioral counseling, dermatology, nutrition, and holistic medicine. If you are looking for an animal hospital near you, call us at (303) 368-4171 or use our contact page to reach our team with questions about your pet’s care.