More than likely, you have been referred to us by your family veterinarian, or possibly by a friend or family member in case of an emergency. However you arrived here, rest assured that you have found the right place for your pet to receive specialized medical expertise and for you to experience personalized service. To help prepare for your visit, here is some information we think you might find useful.
Your Visit
Consultations with a specialist are available Monday through Friday by referral from your family veterinarian. Please call to schedule an appointment and bring completed Client and Patient information forms and history questionnaire with you. Upon arriving at our hospital, you will be greeted by our client services team who will gather information from you to help expedite the care of your pet. Then, one of our veterinary technicians will escort you and your pet to an examination room to take a history and/or perform an evaluation of your pet. One of our specialists will then meet with you, make an evaluation, and offer their recommendation for any additional diagnostics and/or treatment. A team member will then present you with the treatment plan and answer any questions you may have. Depending on the plan, we may keep your pet throughout the day or longer if necessary. Please be aware that procedures which require sedation or general anesthesia may require an overnight stay in the hospital.
In case of emergency, please call ahead so we can best prepare for your arrival.
24–Hour Patient Care
Our clinic hours are 8am to 5pm. However, many of our patients require intensive care or treatment on a continuous basis. All hospitalized patients are cared for by a member of our critical care team which is fully staffed 24 hours a day. Your pet will never be alone, and will be observed and cared for around the clock.
Estimates and Payments
Prior to your pet being hospitalized for any diagnostic procedures, treatment, or surgery, you will receive a written estimate of the cost of the recommended medical care plan. Due to the nature of your pet’s condition, and related variables, such as length of anesthesia, types and amounts of medications dispensed and administered, this is only an estimate and not a final invoice. The estimate has a range of potential costs, and we will do our best not to exceed the upper limit of the estimate without notifying you first.
A payment of the lower end of the estimate is expected before any procedures can begin. At the time your pet is discharged, a refund will be credited back to you, if owed, or any remaining outstanding balance will need to be paid.
While Your Pet Is Hospitalized
Our specialists are available for appointments Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm. After these hours, our patients are monitored by a member of our critical care team. You can expect our doctor to contact you first thing each morning if your pet remains hospitalized. During this call, we can schedule any visitation and/or a discharge time for that day.
Patient Updates
Each morning (including weekends and holidays), the doctors of the Center for Veterinary Specialty Care will call the owners of hospitalized patients to provide an update on how their pet is doing. You may call throughout the day to receive additional updates by speaking with one of our technicians. The doctors may not always be available to speak with you throughout the day due to scheduled appointments, emergency procedures, and surgeries.
Please realize that our telephones are answered between 8am and 5pm when our clinic is open. Outside these hours, we have a voicemail and answering machine system where you can leave a message, which will be returned the next business day. Your pet is being cared for by the highly trained doctors and staff of the North Texas Emergency Pet Clinic overnight. While your pet is hospitalized overnight, you may call the emergency clinic for an update on your pet. However, please understand that their staff is not allowed to give out any detailed information, answer questions about a patient’s disease or prognosis, or discharge patients during the night or on the weekend.
Visitation
Visiting your pet while hospitalized is encouraged and we recommend all visitations be scheduled in advance with any member of our team. On the weekend, visits will be scheduled by the doctor on duty and can be arranged when the doctor calls in the morning to provide an update. Length of visits will be determined by your pet’s condition and may be limited if in their best interest. For safety reasons, it is against hospital policy for clients to enter the treatment area. Therefore, we will usually bring your pet to you in one of our exam rooms for a visit.
Personal Items
During your pet’s stay, we will do everything possible to ensure that he or she is comfortable. Although your pet will be in a cage or run, we always provide several blankets and make sure there is adequate padding so they have a soft place to lie down. If your pet is expected to be hospitalized for an extended period, you are welcome to leave a special blanket or toy with them. Please be careful what you leave, however, as these items can get lost or misplaced. We do our best to label items, and to keep track of them so they can be returned when your pet is discharged. But, we cannot guarantee these items will be returned, and we cannot be responsible for any items left with your pet. Please DO NOT choose to leave personal items with your pet that have significant sentimental or monetary value.