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 AN OPHTHALMOLOGY CONSULTATION

1. Patients referred to the ophthalmology service will be scheduled to see Dr. Stiles. A complete ophthalmic examination will be performed at the initial consultation.

2. Most evaluations and procedures will occur during the initial visit while the owner is present or waiting. When dilation of the pupils is performed, there will be a wait time in the lobby to allow for complete dilation to occur.

3. Some surgical procedures may be performed on-site at our hospital. Often these procedures are scheduled after the initial consultation. Written estimates are generated and discussed before any surgical ophthalmic procedure.