Pet Owner FAQs
Emergency Care
If I suspect that my pet is in the midst of a medical emergency, should I call my family vet first?
How can I recognize a true emergency that won’t wait until morning?
Here are a few examples of medical emergencies for pets:
My dog is coughing, sneezing, or has other respiratory symptoms. Does this require immediate attention?
Respiratory symptoms such as coughing can result from many different things, including common pathogens (such as viruses or bacteria), environmental factors, or occasionally from something more serious (such as heart disease)
For mild respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, sneezing, and runny eyes/nose) and if your pet is otherwise healthy, it’s appropriate to monitor your pet at home and contact your veterinarian as needed.
Contact your vet or bring your pet in for evaluation if:
- Symptoms are worsening or have not improved in several days (keeping in mind that dogs may continue to cough even after they’re feeling better).
- The cough is causing significant problems such as vomiting.
- Your pet has a loss of appetite.
- Your pet is experiencing weakness or lethargy such that he or she isn’t engaging normally.
- If your pet is experiencing labored breathing, we recommend seeing your primary care veterinarian as soon as possible or visiting the ER.
It’s especially important to see the veterinarian if these signs occur in a high-risk dog, including:
- Very young or senior dogs
- Pregnant dogs
- Compromised immune system
- Existing heart or respiratory disease
- Brachycephalic (flatter-faced) breeds
Many respiratory illnesses can be highly contagious. If you bring your pet to your primary veterinarian or to our hospital with respiratory symptoms, we recommend calling from your car upon arrival. This limits contact with other pets and expedites the check-in process. Always contact our hospital or your primary veterinarian if you have concerns about the seriousness of your pet’s condition.
What can I expect if I bring my pet into Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies during an emergency?
Specialty Services
What is a veterinary specialist?
My pet is scheduled to come in for an evaluation by a specialist or for surgery. What do I need to know and bring with me?
What can I bring for my pet to make him comfortable after surgery or if he or she will be hospitalized?
You can bring a small toy or blanket if you would like. We prefer that pets use the beds that we provide for sanitary purposes. You can also bring the food he or she usually eats, as long as the pet is not on a raw (BARF-type) diet.
Can I visit my pet during hospitalization?
Hospital visits are on a case-by-case basis and typically set up in advance, and typically for a short period. We understand that visiting your pet while they are away from home is something that every pet and their person wants. We will do everything possible to work with you, and please know that your pet’s health care is our top priority.
General Questions
How do you communicate with me when my pet is under your care?
How do you communicate with my family veterinarian?
What are my payment options?
Do you have any pet health insurance that you recommend?
There are many pet health insurance companies and plans available. Most have a waiting period before coverage begins. You may want to discuss options with your family vet.
If my pet is hospitalized, when can I see him or her?
We ask for your assistance in following these guidelines to help us provide the best care to all patients in our care. We allow family members of our hospitalized patients to visit when possible, generally in small groups and set up in advance.
- It is most ideal to visit between treatment times. Please call before visiting to determine the best time to visit your family member. If your pet is receiving treatments at the time of your arrival, you may be asked to wait until these are completed.
- All families are required to check in with our reception staff and be escorted to the treatment area or an exam room for their visit. We ask that all cell phones be switched to silent/vibrate mode while visiting in a patient ward area.
- We request that visits are limited to a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. Lengths of visits can be extended on a case-by-case basis.
- For patients hospitalized in the isolation unit of our hospital, all visitors will be required to follow our recommended safety protocols to help maintain a safe environment for all patients.
- Scenarios can arise that may temporarily require a pause in visiting. If this were ever to occur, our staff will reunite you with your pet as soon as they are able.
- Hospitalized patient family members are not permitted to stay overnight but we do encourage phone calls any time you would like an update.
What can I expect when it is time to take my dog or cat home?
A member of our staff will call you to review instructions for pick up and at-home care. We will also recommend a follow-up visit with either one of our specialists or with your family veterinarian, depending upon what is most appropriate.