For Pet Owners : What to Expect from Referrals

 

         

 

Your veterinarian has determined that your pet has an oral or dental problem that they feel necessitates a referral for more specialized dental care.  Your veterinarian will call me shortly, explain the case and introduce you to me.  Then I will be expecting a call from you.

 

When you call, I will answer as many questions as possible.  Until I have actually examined your pet, I cannot make an accurate diagnosis nor make specific recommendations.  However, in many cases, I can get pretty close to the mark with regard to treatment options and costs and set an appointment date and time.

 

On the day of your appointment my assistant and I will meet with you and your pet.  Your pet should have had no food for 12 hours prior to the appointment but can have water until you leave home.  Upon your arrival, I may ask you to fill out a brief information sheet and I will review any documents sent with you by your veterinarian.  Then we will get to work.  I will start with an oral examination as best as your pet will allow (some conditions are painful and patients are often reluctant to have their mouths examined).  With the information from the history and initial examination, I will develop a tentative diagnosis.  I will explain my findings and discuss treatment options.  We will discuss this together so that we can determine the best treatment for your pet’s specific situation.  I will write up a treatment plan and estimate and ask for your consent.  In most cases, I will then administer a pre-anesthetic sedative and ask you to return to the examine room or reception area with your pet while the sedative takes effect or we will go ahead and take them back to our treatment area for sedation.

 

After about 20 minutes your sedated pet will be moved to our surgery area, place an IV catheter and induce general anesthesia.  Once your pet is under anesthesia, I will do a more thorough examination and take intra-oral radiographs.  With information from the exam and radiographs, I will either confirm or refine the treatment plan and estimate and discuss both with you prior to proceeding with treatment. At this stage, you will be given the option of staying in the reception area or leaving the hospital for a time.  If you leave, I will need a phone number where you can be reached at a moments notice if the need arises.  I will call you when the procedure is completed and let you know when you can return to the hospital.

 

After surgery my assistant will stay with your pet during recovery from anesthesia while I write up the record, discharge statement and invoice.  If you are back in time, you will be encouraged to sit with and cuddle your pet during recovery.  By the time I have done all my paperwork and gone over your discharge instructions, your pet will most likely be ready to go home.  For dogs, that means they are able to stand and walk out on their on.  For cats it means they are sitting up and are bright and alert.

 

As you can see, I want my clients to be fully involved in the decision making process; I may have my preferences, but ultimately you must make the final decisions about your pet’s care.

 

I have described a typical visit, but I am very flexible.  I will do my best to design your visit around your needs and expectations while attending to your pet’s needs.

 

I look forward to hearing from you and to helping your pet enjoy good oral health.