What to Expect

Having to take your pet to an emergency hospital is a very stressful time - for both you and your pet. We want to make the experience as easy for both of you as we can. Below explains what will take place when your pet comes to see us. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us for further clarification.

Our emergency exam fees are as follows: M-F until 6pm is $59.00. After 6pm and on holidays/weekends the exam fee is $74.00.

When you arrive, your animal will be checked to see what condition it is in. If your pet is critical, we will take your pet to the rear treatment area immediately to begin assessment and/or treatment for stabilization. You will be asked to sign a triage consent form with an estimated amount of what it will cost to stabilize your pet. You will also be asked to fill out paperwork to get you and your pet listed in our computer system.

If you pet is non-urgent, you will be asked to fill out information for our records and we have you wait in our reception area until a treatment room is available. If at any time your pet seems to be doing worse, our reception staff will notify the hospital staff and they will assess your pet to see if it needs to be moved to our treatment area immediately.

If an emergency arrives while you are waiting, please be patient as we will need to treat that animal before any others that have come in. Our staff will keep you apprised of how long a wait you may expect.

Once you are put in a treatment room, a member of the hospital staff will come talk to you and do an assessment on your pet getting the weight, temperature, heart and breathing rates, and any history involved with the visit.

The doctor will then come and do a thorough examination of your pet and prepare a detailed estimate of what is recommended for your pet's care. A member of the hospital staff will review this with you, explaining what each item is for, and then have you sign the estimate stating that you agree with the estimate amount and allowing us to treat your pet.

Once the estimate is signed, we might "borrow" your pet for a short time in order to do x-rays, draw blood, or do another procedure. When those are complete, we will bring your pet back to you to wait for results. Most of our blood work is done in-house so you should receive results within about 30-45 minutes. X-rays are also read in-house.

After test results are complete, we will make recommendations and review these with you for continued care of your pet. If your pet is staying with us, you will be asked to leave a deposit of 1/2 the lowest amount total on the estimate. If your pet is going home with you, any medications needed will be prescribed and most filled through our own pharmacy.

At discharge, you will be expected to pay your bill in full unless alternative arrangements have been made with our reception staff. If there is a budget concern, please notify our staff as soon as possible so we may work with you and provide the best care for your pet that is economically feasible. After you pay your bill you will receive any prescriptions needed, x-rays (if any were taken) to be taken your regular veterinarian, and detailed written instructions which will appear on your receipt.

Copies of the care your pet received will be faxed to your regular veterinarian.

24 HOUR EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE FOR YOUR PET

Send mail to sheltiezoo@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2006 Palmetto Regional Emergency Hospital for Animals Last modified: 04/12/10

Send mail to sheltiezoo@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Palmetto Regional Emergency Hospital for Animals
Last modified: 04/12/10