How long does it take to get an appointment
with the Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine and Surgery Service?
Our service receives both primary care and
referral patients by appointment Monday through Thursday and recheck
appointments on Friday every week. It is most often possible to
make an appointment within the same week of your call. If you feel
that your pet requires attention prior to the first available appointment,
we also provide a 24 hour emergency service for exotic pets.
Do I have to have
a referral from a private practice veterinarian in order to be able
to make an appointment with the Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine
and Surgery Service?
No, the Companion Avian and Exotic
Pet Medicine and Surgery Service provides primary care as well as
care on a referral basis.
How long will an appointment take?
The duration of our appointment with your
pet will vary depending upon the diagnostic tests performed and
the treatment that may be necessary. An uncomplicated appointment
that includes a physical exam and/or bloodwork may take approximately
one hour to 90 minutes. Some other diagnostic tests (for example
radiographs) may take longer depending upon the type of diagnostic
test required and upon the number of other patients in the hospital
that require this test.
Can I be present during the examination of
my pet?
In many cases, a physical examination will
be performed in the examination room. However, many of the diagnostic
tests are performed in areas of the hospital that are limited to
hospital staff only.
How often will I speak to someone at the
hospital if my pet is hospitalized?
Every day, the clinician or the student
working closely with your pet will contact you to give you an update
on your pet's progress.
If my pet is hospitalized, will my pet be
housed with other species of animals?
Our hospital wards are designed to accommodate
the special needs of our exotic patients. For example, we have separate
wards for our avian and reptile patients that provide appropriate
temperature and humidity requirements. Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas,
rats, and other small exotic mammals also have their own ward. All
exotic pets are housed separately from the domestic small animal
patients (such as dogs and cats) in the hospital. |