Appointments at the VMTH: Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Expect During an Appointment?
- Team Approach Means You May See a Different Doctor at Each Visit
The VMTH uses the team approach. Your animal will initially be seen by a
Hospital staff veterinarian on duty. This person may change depending upon
who is on duty at the time of your appointment. If necessary, the attending
veterinarian will make arrangements to consult with other Hospital staff,
and may refer your animal to other staff specialists for necessary
treatment.
- Students Participate in Appointments
Because we are a teaching hospital, your animal will probably be examined
by a fourth year veterinary medicine student before, during, or after
examination by a Hospital staff veterinarian specialist. The student and
Hospital veterinarian will confer on your animal's medical problem. No
diagnostic or therapeutic action will be initiated by a student without the
Hospital veterinarian's direct consent and careful supervision. Treatment
will be undertaken only after discussion with you, the client. At times, if
your animal qualifies, you may have the opportunity to participate in
cutting-edge research projects; however, we will never involve your animal
without your explicit permission. When the examination and/or treatment of your animal is complete, the
attending veterinarian will summarize the results for you and answer any
questions.
Since students are involved in the examination process for your animal, the
length of your appointment will be longer than visiting a veterinarian in a
private practice. This is due to the extra time required for students to
take histories, consult with staff veterinarians, and complete record
processing. However, there are no additional charges to you associated with
the involvement of students in caring for your animal.
- Residents Provide Hospital Services
As part of its mission to provide specialized training opportunities, the
School of Veterinary Medicine also offers intensive training programs in the
form of residencies and graduate studies leading to Board Certification in
various specialties and the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
degrees. Individuals that have demonstrated exceptional ability in the
profession of veterinary medicine are selected for these programs.
These veterinary medicine residents provide some of the Hospital's
services to the public and to referring veterinarians. All residents in this
Hospital have graduated from a recognized college or school of veterinary
medicine, hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM or equivalent
credentials from a foreign university), and are licensed to practice
independently in the state of Wisconsin.
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Can I visit my hospitalized
pet?
While we do not prohibit our clients from visiting hospitalized animals, past
experience has shown that these visits greatly excite the animal and may hamper
recovery. If you desire to visit your hospitalized animal, you must make prior
arrangements with the attending veterinarian. All visitors must check in at the
Reception Desk each time they visit.
Visitation Times for Small Animal Inpatients:
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Visits are limited to 15 minutes. If the patient's condition allows,
hospitalized animals will be brought to you or moved to an open exam room.
Visitation Times for Large Animal Inpatients:
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visits are limited to one hour.
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What is the payment policy?
Outpatient Care
Charges are to be paid in full for all animals treated and discharged the
same day. Payments may be made by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover or
American Express.
Inpatient Care
Following an initial examination by a staff veterinarian, an estimated range of costs will be prepared for you. A deposit of 50% of
the high end of the estimate must be made before further diagnostic and/or therapeutic
procedures are initiated. Upon discharge, all charges are required to be paid in
full.
The VMTH does not directly finance client accounts. However, we provide a financing option with an outside company called "CareCredit." The financing options that the VMTH offers through CareCredit are as follows:
- Balance less than $300: 0% interest for 3 months
- Balance greater than $300: 0% interest for 6 months
You can find out more about CareCredit and apply online at www.carecredit.com.
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What can I expect when my pet is discharged from the hospital?
When your animal is ready to leave the Hospital, you will be notified by
the staff veterinarian or student assigned to the case.
We prefer that you pick up your animal in the late morning or early
afternoon, Monday through Friday. Saturday discharges can be arranged between
9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. No discharges are made on Sunday. It is advisable,
however, to discuss the exact time of discharge with that attending
veterinarian, so that he/she may make definite arrangements to discuss necessary
aftercare, etc.
If the attending veterinarian requests that you return to the VMTH with
your animal, please be sure to make an appointment at the Reception Desk before
you leave.
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