TVAEC Information
What can I expect from my visit at the Tri-Valley Animal Emergency Center?
Your pet does not need an appointment to be seen and will be seen in the order in which you arrive. We practice triage, which is the process of sorting for those animals that cannot wait to be seen. Sometimes this means we must attend to animals not in their order of arrival, but in their order of need. We are committed to helping your sick pet and any delay in seeing you may be related to the doctor’s belief that another animal must be seen first. We ask for your patience in this process, if it occurs during your visit.
If you are being sent by your family veterinarian, they will often send us a fax of the medical records or give you copies of the records and any x-rays that were taken. Once your pet has been examined, our emergency veterinarian will develop a treatment plan with you. Together, you both will decide which steps to take toward the diagnosis and treatment of your pet. An estimate of costs will be provided as part of that decision making.
How long will my pet stay at the hospital?
The doctor will discuss with you at the time of initial consultation the estimated time that your pet will need to be hospitalized. We are open overnight and during weekends, so your pet may require transfer to either your family veterinarian or the specialists of Veterinary Surgical Associates or Veterinary Medical Specialists for continued care. We will update you at least daily as to your pet’s progress while hospitalized and discuss any changes in treatment plans as they occur.
Can I visit my pet in the hospital?
We do allow visitation during our business hours. We prefer if you call ahead so that we can make sure that you do not have to wait too long to visit. We have a “quiet room” that has comfortable furniture for the family to have an extended visit with your pet. If your pet cannot be moved out of our Critical Care Unit (CCU), we do limit your visit time to allow us to treat other patients that need critical care as well. You can also call to receive an update on your pet from one of the nurses.
How is payment taken for services?
It is our policy that we will take a deposit prior to initiation of treatment and payment in full is due when your pet is released to your care. We accept cash, checks, VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and, because we understand that veterinary expenditures are often unplanned, we make available CareCredit, a convenient payment plan that offers programs to spread payment for care at competitive interest rates. Applying for CareCredit is quick and easy. Ask our Client Service Coordinators for information on how you can apply in our office. The short application only takes a few minutes to complete and you will receive your decision quickly. You may also go to www.carecredit.com and apply online prior to your visit.
