Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Veterinary Specialist? The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has reserved the title of ‘specialist’ for “those veterinarians who have been certified by an AVMA recognized specialty organization." A veterinary specialist is a doctor who has pursued advanced study in one specific area of veterinary practice. The American Veterinary Medical Association currently recognizes 20 board-certified veterinary specialties. Each specialty college has its own rigorous training program and certification process, including a comprehensive board examination. These highly selective programs are similar to residency training programs in human medicine, and typically run three to four years beyond the veterinary degree. Only those veterinarians having earned Diplomate status in a specialty college have earned the right to call themselves specialists. Specialists are often referred to as ‘Diplomates’ or ‘Board Certified’ in their respective specialty colleges.
When your pet is hospitalized. At ASEH we strive to provide the best veterinary care possible, to practice veterinary medicine with compassion, and to demonstrate consideration for our clients' needs and desires. We understand that facing the recommended hospitalization, treatments and/or procedures can be very stressful for you and your pet. The advanced skills and training of our veterinarians and technicians helps ensure that your pet will receive the best possible care. We hope the following guidelines can make your experience with our hospital as pleasant as possible.
Telephone and General Communications At AESH excellent communication between our clients and staff is our goal. Your doctor or a technician will keep you updated on your pet's progress and you are always welcome to call us. We request that if multiple family members are involved in the pet’s care, one individual is designated as the contact person. This will help to prevent miscommunication and promote more efficient patient care. We will inform you of the best time to call, or when to expect a call from us. You may call at other times; however, the staff may only be able to provide limited information. Rest assured that any change in your pet's condition will be immediately relayed to you by the doctor in charge, regardless of the time of day or night. For this reason it is important that we have all current phone numbers on file. Can ASEH be my regular veterinary hospital? No, our hospital provides only specialty care and emergency and critical care. ASEH works directly with your family veterinarian on a referral basis. By coordinating our specialty care with your veterinarian's primary health care we can provide your pet with the most comprehensive medical care possible.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist at ASEH? No, you do not need a referral to see the surgeons or internal medicine specialists at ASEH.
Will my family veterinarian be kept informed? ASEH works in a partnership with you and your family veterinarian to provide the most complete veterinary care possible for your pet. Our doctors will keep your veterinarian updated about your pet’s diagnosis, treatment plan and progress, generally via fax or telephone. You or your family veterinarian are encouraged to call us with any questions or concerns at any time. Visiting hours Animal Specialty and Emergency Hospital does not have set visiting hours. If you would like to visit your pet while they are hospitalized, please call and speak with a technician from the appropriate department. An appointment will be scheduled for your visit.
Patient Discharges When your pet is ready to go home, an appointment for discharge will be made during regular business hours. Written instructions will be reviewed with you when you collect your pet. Payment is due in full on discharge from the hospital.
Serious Illness Due to the seriousness of many patients' conditions, we cannot guarantee a positive outcome. Please remember that only the doctor is qualified to discuss your pet's prognosis. When your pet is admitted to the hospital, we will ask you to choose a resuscitation code. In the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest, we will follow your wishes until we are able to contact you for further instructions. Why Refer to a Specialist? What's the difference between my family veterinarian and a veterinary specialist? Both your family veterinarian and a veterinary specialist have earned their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, which typically requires four years of undergraduate training and four years of veterinary school. A specialist must also complete an additional three to five years of internship and residency training, as well as passing a rigorous exam in order to become board certified. The ASEH team includes board certified specialists in internal medicine and surgery.
Because of the urgent nature of emergency care, the ASEH Emergency department welcomes walk-ins. Our team of experienced emergency veterinarians and technicians provide your pet with high quality emergency medical care, including hospitalization if necessary. Our goal is to ensure that all pets receive compassionate and quality emergency care whenever the need arises. As in human emergency rooms, ASEH Emergency triages the most acute, life-threatening cases first. During extremely busy periods, more stable patients may need to wait while these critical cases are stabilized. A veterinary technician will take a brief history and the patient's vital signs prior to the emergency doctor examining the patient. Should your pet require an additional evaluation, our board certified surgery and internal medicine specialists are on call for after-hours consultations, meaning we offer unsurpassed patient care any time, day or night! Many pets may require hospitalization. In the event of a hospital stay, please be assured that every effort will be made to make your pet comfortable. ASEH offers comforters, pet beds, blankets and pillows to provide a comfortable surface for your pet. Toys are abundant! Cats are provided with litter boxes and dogs are walked outside if appropriate. We understand that it can be a very difficult time when your pet becomes ill or is injured; therefore, we do our best not only to care for your pet as if they were our own, but also to communicate with you every step of the way. We understand that being separated from a beloved pet can be traumatic for both of you. To best accommodate this special bond, we offer daily visiting hours on arrangement with the service caring for your pet. If your pet needs ongoing care after emergency hours, we will contact your regular veterinarian to determine whether your pet needs to stay at our facility to see one of the specialists. In all cases we are committed to working closely with your regular veterinarian to provide the best possible care for your pet.
Please do not feed your pet after 10pm the night before he appointment, unless our staff has instructed you otherwise. Water is allowed. Please make sure you bring any pertinent information with you on the day of your appointment. This could include, x-rays, blood test results, any medications and a referral form completed by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may fax the written records and referral form before our visit. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete any forms needed. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please give us a 24-hour notice. Upon arrival, you will be asked to complete our Client/Patient Form (if not already completed prior to the appointment) by one of our front desk staff members. Depending on what service your pet will be seeing, you may be asked to complete additional forms. The doctor and his/her technician will meet with you to discuss your pet’s medical history, condition and evaluate your pet with a thorough exam. The doctor may also perform a more thorough exam away from the exam room in one of our treatment areas. At this point, a written Diagnostic and Treatment Plan, and a Procedure consent form, will be presented to you before any additional tests are performed, or before your pet is admitted to the hospital. For outpatient visits, payment in full is due at the time of the visit. If your pet is admitted to the hospital a deposit will be required.
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