What To Expect at
Animal Emergency of Pasco
When you arrive in our lobby, one of our staff members will gather your information. If you are able to fill out our forms online while en route to our hospital, please do so.
Your pet will be taken to the treatment area and assessed by the triage nurse. Based on the nature of your pet’s condition, care will be administered. Once assessed, our Doctor on duty will speak to you regarding your pet’s condition and treatment plan. In some cases, the nurses on duty will begin diagnostics to expedite the care of your pet.
How long is the wait to see the Veterinarian?
In most cases, patients are seen on a “first-come, first-served” basis. More life-threatening cases, however, must take priority. If you feel your pet’s condition is life-threatening, please notify our staff immediately upon arrival so the veterinarian on duty can perform an examination without delay.
As this exam is conducted in the treatment area, you will not be present with your pet. Typically, the veterinarian will then meet with you personally to discuss findings and recommend a treatment plan. If your pet is in critical condition, you may be asked for verbal permission for immediate treatment.
Although we strive to meet with clients promptly, the unpredictable nature and severity of emergency cases may, at times, create delays, just as in human emergency rooms. We serve as both an emergency room and an intensive care unit, so while the lobby may not appear too busy, we may be tending to the needs of critically ill patients that are hospitalized.
Your patience is appreciated. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable.
We Provide an Upfront Treatment Plan
on All Our Services
We know that your pet is an important part of your family and understand that the costs associated with care can affect how you choose to proceed concerning treatment.
At Animal Emergency of Pasco, we will discuss costs with you before we initiate any diagnostics, procedures, or treatments on your pet so you are not caught off guard when you receive your bill for services. We promise to provide the level of health care that each owner has chosen, and we will be glad to discuss any fees, deposits, and forms of payment we accept to avoid any misunderstandings.
Please know that in severe life-threatening cases, we may need to begin to administer care prior to providing a full estimate of the cost.
Forms of Payment
We Accept
Payment must be made in full at the time of service. We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and CareCredit.
We are not able to offer payment plans and cannot send bills. We can only provide our highly qualified Doctors and Staff through prompt payment by our clientele.
If it becomes necessary for your pet to be hospitalized, we require a Deposit of the full amount based on the treatment plan at the time of admission.
Should additional treatments, procedures, or continued hospitalization become necessary, a team member will contact you for authorization and additional funds. If any balance remains, it will be calculated and is due upon discharge.
What to Expect When
Your Pet is Hospitalized
When your pet is hospitalized because of acute illness, injury, or emergency surgery, or if your regular veterinarian has recommended continued care after they close, it is a stressful time for both you and your pet.
You will have concerns about how your dog or cat will be cared for and what you can do during this critical time in their recovery. The team at Animal Emergency of Pasco knows that hospitalization is stressful but is sometimes required to help your pet recover.
By outlining what to expect during this time, we hope to ease some of your fears, as well as better support you and your pet.
Why Hospitalization?
An injury, illness, or emergency situation happens to almost every pet at some point during their lifetime. It can be a sudden illness, injury, an unexpected condition that requires emergency surgery, or maybe poisoning from ingesting a toxic substance.
No matter the cause, emergencies and veterinary stays happen. In these situations, hospitalization is necessary because your pet requires continued monitoring and care that your regular veterinarian cannot provide. We are happy to provide those after-hour services and emergency treatments.
What Happens When Your Pet is Hospitalized?
If your pet needs to be hospitalized, you’ll receive a treatment plan from a member of our staff. They will advise you on what to expect, along with hospital policies and procedures. Many pets receive IV therapy while in the hospital, along with specialized diet and medications per the pet’s condition. The treatment plan will vary according to the reason your pet is in the hospital.
Most pets who receive hospital care will be housed in our treatment and recovery area, or if the situation is critical, in our Intensive Care Unit. While your pet is in the hospital, they will receive continuous monitoring and care by the doctor and technicians.
Can I Visit My Pet?
For the health and recovery of your pet and other pets, we generally discourage visitation. In lieu of visitation, the team at AEOP makes communication a priority, so please call as often as you feel necessary.
If any new situation with your pet’s health status changes, we will contact you so you know what to expect and how your pet is progressing. There are cases where the medical team feels it is in the pet’s best interest to have visits from their owners. If so, the team will speak with you about visitation.
Feel free to provide us with your email address, and we will be happy to send pictures of your pet while in our hospital.
Policy on Items Belonging to the Patient
We ask that you not leave leashes, collars, bedding, or food (unless otherwise specified) for your pet during their stay. Your pet will be provided with many comforts, including soft bedding, toys, leashes, food, and fresh water.
We change patient bedding several times a day, so your pet will always have a clean place to sleep. Given the large amount of laundry we do on a daily basis, it is hard to keep track of items belonging to a specific patient.
If you do choose to leave items for your pet, please understand that we can’t guarantee the items will be returned to you when your pet is discharged.