Appointment Policy
To allow ample time for all patients and scheduled surgical procedures, we operate primarily by appointment. Emergency cases shall always receive top priority, which is why occasional appointment delay is inevitable. Please realize that we make a sincere attempt to see each client on time.
For your convenience, drop-off’ appointments are available. A ‘drop off’ means you could bring your pet at the time that works best for you and leave him/her with us for a couple of hours. Usually we will ask you to drop off’ sometime in the morning so our doctors can examine the patient in between appointments or at the time reserved for admitted patients. Once the doctor is done, she will give you a call to go over the findings and make recommendations on further diagnostics or treatment.
For the safety of all animals in our care, we require that all vaccinations be up to date. Even though we make every effort to make our patients feel comfortable during visits, they may be a little uneasy about new people, new surroundings and other pets. This is one of the reasons we ask you to restrain your pet. Animals should be placed on a leash or in pet carriers before entering the clinic.
Payment Policy
We require full payment at the time that services are rendered. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Care Credit, cash and personal checks.
Patient Arrival Policy
For your protection, and that of others, all dogs must be on a leash and properly controlled while in the waiting area or exam rooms.
All cats must be presented in an appropriate cat carrier or on a leash.
Q. What should I know about my pet’s upcoming surgery?
A. Many people have questions about various aspects of their pet’s surgery, and we hope this information will help. It also explains the decisions you will need to make before your pet’s upcoming surgery. Please continue reading, and feel free to call our office for more information. We treat each patient as an individual and tailor our protocols to maximize success.
Q. Is the anesthetic safe?
A. Today’s modern anesthetic monitors have made surgery much safer than in the past. Here at Telluride Veterinary Clinic, we do a thorough physical exam on your animal before administering anesthetics, to ensure that a heart murmur, fever or other illness won’t be a problem. We also adjust the amount and type of anesthetic used depending on the health of your pet. Preanesthetic blood testing is important in reducing the risk of anesthesia. Every pet needs blood testing before surgery to ensure that the liver and kidneys can handle the anesthetic. Even apparently healthy animals can have serious organ system problems that cannot be detected without blood testing. If there is a problem, it is much better to find it before it causes anesthetic or surgical complications. Animals that have minor dysfunction will handle the anesthetic better if they receive IV fluids before, during and after surgery. If serious problems are detected, surgery can be postponed until the problem is corrected.
We offer different levels of blood testing before surgery, which we will go over with you when you bring your pet in. Our doctors prefer the more comprehensive screen, because it gives them the most information to ensure the safety of your pet. For geriatric or ill pets, additional blood tests, electrocardiograms, or x-rays may be required before surgery as well.
It is important that surgery be done on an empty stomach to reduce the risk of vomiting during and after anesthesia. You will need to withhold food for at least 8 to 10 hours before surgery. Water can be left down for your companion animal until the morning of surgery. This protocol may be modified for very small or very young animals, or animals with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
Q. Will my pet have stitches?
A. For some surgeries, we use absorbable sutures underneath the skin. These will dissolve on their own, and do not need to be removed later. Most surgeries do require skin sutures or skin staples. With any surgery, you will need to keep an eye on the incision for swelling or discharge. Most dogs and cats do not lick excessively or chew at the incision, but this is an occasional problem you will also need to monitor. If there are skin sutures or staples, these will usually be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. You will also need to limit your pet’s activity level for a time and no baths are allowed for the first 10 days after surgery.
Q. Will my pet be in pain? Not if we can help it!
A. Anything that causes pain in people can be expected to cause pain in animals. Pets may not show the same clinical signs of pain as people do; they usually don’t whine or cry, but you can be sure they feel it. Pain medications needed will depend on the surgery performed. Major procedures require more pain relief than things like minor lacerations. We strongly believe in appropriate pain management. In fact severe pain can be life threatening, even moderate pain can affect healing, eating, blood pressure and other physiological functions.
For dogs, we may recommend an oral anti-inflamatory the day after surgery and several days after to lessen the risk of discomfort and swelling. We use newer medications, which are less likely to cause stomach upset and can be given even the morning of surgery.
A. While your pet is under anesthesia, it is the ideal time to perform other minor procedures, such as small mass removals, ear cleaning/flushing or implanting an identification microchip. If you would like an estimate for these extra services, please call ahead of time. This is especially important if the person dropping the pet off for surgery is not the primary decision maker for the pet’s care.
When you bring your pet in for surgery, we will need to 5 to 10 minutes of time to fill out paperwork and make decisions on the blood testing and other options available. When you pick up your pet after surgery you can also plan to spend about 10 minutes to go over your pet’s home care needs.
We will call you the night before your scheduled surgery appointment, to confirm the time you will be dropping your pet off and to answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions about your pet’s health or surgery.
Breed related issues – this is a great website – http://ic.upei.ca/cidd