Every patient that visits our hospital on an emergency basis is triaged.  Triage is a process of assessing patients so that the most critically ill receive the most immediate treatment.  A member of our nursing staff will perform a brief, concise examination of your pet that will allow us to prioritize him or her among all the patients needing treatment. 

If your pet needs immediate treatment, you will be asked to allow us to take him or her away from you into our treatment area.  You may also be asked to verbally approve emergency treatment and stabilization.  We understand that it is difficult to be separated from your pet during a stressful time.  However, in a life threatening situation, it may be the best thing for your pet to allow us to begin emergency treatment without delay.  A member of our staff will return shortly to update you on your pet’s condition and the doctor will meet with you as soon as possible to provide details about your pet’s condition and medical recommendations.

If your pet is stable enough to stay with you, we will ask you to begin basic paperwork so that we can enter you and your pet into our computer system.  We appreciate your patience as we enter you into the computer.  It may be difficult to wait as we finish treatment on another patient, but please know that we provide conscientious and compassionate care to every animal that is treated in our hospital and we will extend the same care to you and your pet.

After completing paperwork, a veterinary technician or assistant will escort you to an exam room where he or she will obtain your pet’s basic medical history.  You will be asked about your pet’s primary medical concerns today, any previous health problems, current medications, and vaccination history.  We will also obtain basic vital signs including temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate.

After the veterinary technician obtains a history and vital signs, an emergency doctor will speak with you and examine your pet.  The doctor will discuss the details of your pet’s medical condition with you.  Recommendations for diagnostic testing and treatment will be made.  The veterinarian will generate an estimate of the costs associated with recommended diagnostics and treatment prior to performing services.    

The emergency veterinarian will discuss results of diagnostic testing with you and treatment options will be reviewed.  After providing treatment, a veterinary technician will review home care instructions and any medications dispensed.  The emergency doctor or veterinary technician will answer any additional questions you have prior to discharging your pet from the hospital.