WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT

Receipt of referral form from the referring veterinarian

The clinic will receive a form from your veterinarian detailing the pertinent information about the client they wish to refer as well as the history of the patient. The referral form will ask which department, and in some cases, which doctor, they wish their client to see.

This form may be mailed or faxed. In some instances, the veterinarian may choose to send the form, along with X-rays or other information, directly with the client to the appointment.

Owner calls to schedule consultation appointment

It is helpful if the referral form has already been faxed by your veterinarian when you make the appointment. This will help the receptionist schedule you with the appropriate department (i.e. surgery, medicine, cardiology). If the referral form has not yet been sent, this is not a problem. Consider asking your veterinarian which department or doctor they would suggest.

All incoming new patients will likely be recommended to be NPO prior to the initial consultation in preparation for any procedures. This involves no food usually after 8pm the night before the procedure and no water the morning of the appointment.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CARDIOLOGY CONSULTATION

1. Patients referred to the Cardiology service will be scheduled first for a consultation appointment with Dr. Sanders.
2. During the consultation, they will have a physical examination performed. Special diagnostic procedures will be recommended and a written estimate will be generated. Patients will undergo the procedures typically consisting of radiographs (X-rays), ultrasound and ECGs. The total time for the consultation appointment and procedures is typically under two hours.
3. After the procedures have been completed, Dr. Sanders will meet with you again to discuss the results. Any recommended therapies and monitoring will also be discussed in detail at that time.