Do I need a referral?

For Emergency Services – NO

You can be seen through the Emergency and Critical Care department 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For All Other Services – YES

In order to provide the best possible care for your pet we have to work as a team with your family veterinarian. After your visit here, we will work with them to further monitor and treat ongoing problems. It is therefore crucial that they be involved in the referral process so that we are able to work with them to optimize your pet’s recovery process.

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How do I get a referral?

First discuss with your family veterinarian if your pet would benefit from seeing one of our specialists.Your family veterinarian will provide us with your pet’s medical history and a referral request.  An appointment can be made at that point.  Radiographs (X-rays) may be sent ahead of time, or picked up by you to bring to your appointment. In an emergency, your veterinarian may contact our Emergency and Critical Care Service to arrange immediate transfer and care.
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What if I can’t afford surgery or more tests?

Because each specialist only deals with one aspect of veterinary medicine we can sometimes make a diagnosis after an examination or an inexpensive test. We make every effort to give a range of treatment options.  Of course for some animals it may not be possible to make a diagnosis easily, but we will explain clearly what tests are going to be required to shed light on your pet’s problem. You may then be able to get treatment by your regular veterinarian. Our primary goal is always to give you information you need in order to make the best decision for you and for your pet.

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Is there a doctor on staff 24-hours?

We have an emergency veterinarian doctor and highly-trained staff in the hospital 24-hours a day, 365-days a year to care for patients in our ICU  and in our general Ward.
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What are the visiting hours?

Please see our Visitation Guidelines for more details.
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Do you have a payment plan?

Please see our Financial Policies.
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Can CWVS be my regular veterinary clinic?

Our practice only provides specialty and critical care services. For example, we do not perform vaccinations, wellness exams, primary care or regular spays or neuters. It is therefore crucial for your pet’s overall health that we act an extension of your regular veterinary practice team and so work with them on a referral basis.
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Can I choose to see the specialist I want?

Yes. We usually make appointments on the first available basis within the department but if you have a preference, please have your veterinarian state it or make the request when your appointment is made.
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What happens in the initial consultation?

View What to expect page.

For emergency care, your pet is taken to our triage area where vital signs and critical assessment is completed.  The emergency veterinarian will then advise you on next steps.

For referrals, your family veterinarian will provide your specialist with information from your pet’s medical file, and when appropriate, the results of tests and on many occasions, x-rays in film or digital format.

The specialist will review this information and may have many more questions for you to help them best understand your pet’s medical problem.
After a thorough physical examination, the specialist will use this information to make a diagnosis then, or to formulate a diagnostic plan to determine the problem. You’re pet may or may not need to be hospitalized during this process. Depending on the case, it may be a part-day process, or may require hospitalization overnight or longer. Your specialist will provide you with an estimate of the costs at that time.
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Will my veterinarian be updated?

Yes. We will provide written reports and copies of laboratory and imaging reports as they become available for your pet’s medical file with your family veterinarian. When patients are in hospital more than a day or two, regular updates will be sent, so that they are aware of the progress your pet is making. Our team of doctors keeps both you and your veterinarian updated as to your pet’s condition.
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