Emergency Services (Click on a question listed below to view answer)

• Do I need an appointment?

• When are you open?

• How much does a visit cost?

• What do I get for my intial payment?

• Can you explain my pet's medical problems over the phone?

• What about my regular veterinarian? How do you work with him/her?

• Why can't you contact my regular veterinarian or access my pet's records?

• My regular veterinarian used to see me for emergencies; why doesn't he or
she anymore?

• If this costs a lot, will you bill me?

Surgical Services (Click on a question listed below to view answer)

• What is a Diplomate?

• What does "board certified" mean?

• Do I need a surgeon who is board certified?

• What kinds of questions should I ask my veterinarian before my pet undergoes a procedure?

• What should I look for when considering pet insurance?

• How much are consultations, vaccinations, drugs and surgical procedures?

• What is CareCredit?

Emergency Services

Q: Do I need an appointment?

A:  No, appointments are not taken for the emergency department. You can come in at any time during our emergency service hours of 6pm-8am weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and holidays. We do ask that you try to call ahead to alert us that you are coming. Your call can help us prepare for your arrival so we can provide immediate care for your pet should he or she need it.

Q: When are you open?

A:  In general, you can think of the emergency service being open when your veterinarian is not. The emergency service is open from 6pm-8am, Monday through Thursday, and from 6pm Friday night until 8am Monday morning. We are also open 24 hours a day on all major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day).

Q: How much does a visit cost?

A:  Our emergency exam and consult fee is $80. Each situation is unique and even "routine" problems can have different costs associated with them depending on patient size, concurrent medical conditions, and other factors. After the examination and consult with the doctor, any diagnostics or therapies will be discussed and the doctor will generate an estimate of additional costs, if necessary. 

Q: What do I get for my initial payment?

A:  Our $80 emergency examination and consultation fee cover a complete physical examination of your pet performed by the emergency veterinarian. The doctor will discuss your pet's medical problems and will also explain diagnostics testing and treatment options.

Q: Can you explain my pet's medical problems over the phone?

A:  Without physically examining your pet, it is very difficult to tell what is happening. Seemingly unimportant things that you may not even notice at home are important to the doctor when trying to determine why your pet is ill. Sometimes even mild symptoms can be caused by major problems. We do not want to make the mistake of telling someone over the phone that his or her pet will be fine, without actually examining the pet. We recommend that an emergency veterinarian examine your pet in order to determine if the pet needs emergency care or if the pet can wait to follow up with your primary care veterinarian. (Also, Wisconsin State law prevents a veterinarian who has not examined an animal from making medical recommendations or providing treatment for a patient.)

Q: What about my regular veterinarian? How do you work with him/her?

A:  We communicate with your regular veterinarian on a frequent basis. We generate a complete written medical record for every patient we examine. This record, including all blood work and lab results, is faxed to your veterinarian. All radiographs taken at LVSEH can be copied to a CD-ROM and provided to our clients for follow-up with their primary care veterinarian. When your pet is hospitalized, the emergency department provides twice daily updates for your veterinarian. If your pet requires ongoing care, LVSEH veterinarians will do everything we can to help your regular veterinarian continue care for your pet.

Q: Why can't you contact my regular veterinarian or access my pet's records?

A:  Our hospital is completely separate from your veterinarian. We do not have access to their record system, their phones, or the doctors after hours. WE can communicate with them either before your pet arrives here if they call to refer you or we can speak with them during their regular business hours.

Q: My regular veterinarian used to see me for emergencies; why doesn't he or she anymore?

A:  Veterinarians who are not seeing after-hours emergencies are actually trying to provide your pet with the best care possible. We provide 24-hour supervised care—a veterinarian is in the hospital 24-7 and your pet will never be alone in the hospital. We have a fully staffed and fully equipped hospital available to take care of your pet under any circumstances, even in the middle of the night. We are waiting to meet you and to provide emergency care for your pet if necessary.

Q: If this costs a lot, will you bill me?

A:  We understand that taking care of your pet in an emergency can be a financial challenge. The billing option we provide is through CareCredit (www.carecredit.com). CareCredit offers a number of repayment options to choose from to fit your needs. Because we are not a bank, LVSEH does not extend credit or loan money to individuals.

Surgical Services

Q: What is a Diplomate?

A:  An ACVS Diplomate is an individual who has been certified as a specialist in veterinary surgery by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Q: What does “board certified” mean?

A:  A board certified surgeon is an individual who has completed the requirements of the ACVS to become certified as a specialist in veterinary surgery (an ACVS Diplomate).

Q: Do I need a surgeon who is board certified?

A:  Board certified surgeons spend at least four years after achieving their veterinary medical degree (DVM) focusing strictly on surgery and highly specialized surgical procedures. This concentrated training allows the surgeon to keep current with frequent advances in veterinary medicine. 

Q: What kinds of questions should I ask my veterinarian before my pet undergoes a procedure?

A:  Questions might include:

What should I expect the outcome of surgery to be?

What follow-up care is necessary?

Is this routine surgery?

How often has the doctor performed this type of surgery?

How long will it take my pet to recuperate fully?

Q: What should I look for when considering pet insurance?

A: We recommend you consider the following:

• What is the maximum amount covered per condition under the policy?

• Does the policy offer lifelong coverage with no time limit on claiming?

• Are there any exclusions or situations where your insurance company will not pay?

• What is the excess on the policy?

Q: How much are consultations, vaccinations, drugs and surgical procedures?

A: Our fees reflect the services, facilities, equipment and expertise we can offer. We try to keep costs down as far as possible and to help us do this, we ask you to pay at the time of treatment. We are always happy to give an estimate of costs in advance. However, it is not always possible for us to anticipate how a case may progress. We will keep you informed if treatment costs are likely to exceed the estimate given. We accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and CareCredit.

Q: What is CareCredit?

A: CareCredit keeps your pet healthy with a card designed specifically for you and your pet’s health needs. Whether it’s an everyday checkup or an emergency surgery, CareCredit offers you convenient monthly payment options, no up-front costs, no prepayment penalties and no annual fees. CareCredit works just like a credit card, but is exclusive for healthcare services. Just click on this link to get started: www.carecredit.com.