What are specialist services? Specialist servies consist of any type of advanced veterinary medicine not routinely handled by your family veterinian. Specialist services include advanced or specialized surgery, dermatology, diagnostics (computer aided x-ray interpretation and CAT scanning), and physical therapy for injury/procedure recovery. Why see a specialist? Your family veterinarian has diagnosed or suspects that your pet has a medical condition or injury that requires either advanced training or equipment that general practitioners do not normally have. As in human medicine, where the family practitioner is very well equipped to treat most of your medical needs, he is not expected to have all the knowledge or equipment that is required to treat every possible disease. Similarly in veterinary medicine, a specialist has acquired the advanced training and equipment needed to treat very specific diseases. What is a specialist? In order to be recognized as a specialist in a particular field of veterinary medicine, one completes four years of college, followed by four years of veterinary school. He or she then spends a year as an intern to get exposure to various specialties of veterinary medicine. After this year, the veterinarian spends three years as a resident in their chosen specialty under the supervision and guidance of a veterinarian who is board-certified. In order to become board-certified, applicants must then pass two to three days of rigorous exams including oral, written, and practical portions in addition to other requirements that vary by specialty. Why do I have to be referred? The reason your pet requires a referral by your family veterinarian is that he or she knows your pet’s medical history and needs better than anyone else. This knowledge, as well as their interest in doing what is best for your pet, enables them to make a sound medical judgment about the need for a specialist. What should I bring to my appointment? You should bring copies of any lab work that your regular veterinarian has performed, as well as any x-rays taken so that we do not have to repeat them unnecessarily. What about feeding my pet? You should not feed your pet for at least twelve hours prior to your appointment. You may allow water up to the time of your appointment. What about payment? At the time of your office visit, the specialist will provide you with an estimate of the costs for treating your pet. We ask for one half of that amount when your pet is admitted, with the balance due when your pet is discharged from the hospital. If your pet is seen as an outpatient, payment in full is due when services are rendered. We accept cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and Care Credit, a private charge card you may apply for at the time of your office visit.