PATIENT CARE
At WestVet, patients may be hospitalized for a short time for a medical or surgical procedure, or for longer periods of time in the case of critically ill or injured pets. In either situation, the experienced WestVet doctors will routinely assess your pet for any changes in their condition or comfort level. Our team of compassionate technicians will keep your pet warm and dry and as pain-free as possible, keeping intravenous fluids going and medicating or treating them according to the doctor’s care plan.
Your doctor or a WestVet technician will keep you updated on your pet’s progress throughout their stay. Your doctor will inform you of the best time to call, however you can call at any other time. If an unexpected change of a serious nature occurs with your pet, you will be called as soon as possible. Please provide us with all of your telephone numbers, including one at which we can reach a family member capable of making decisions in an emergency.
In order to keep all visiting pets’ treatment schedules on time, we ask that you call ahead and arrange a time before arriving to visit your pet. Some pets require regular visits to keep their spirits up. You may be asked to just sit and pet them, to take them out for a short walk or encourage them to eat. Other pets can become very depressed when family members visit them and then leave again. The decision whether to visit or not and the duration of the visit should be made after discussion with your doctor.
Discharge from the hospital after a lengthy visit is generally scheduled as an appointment so that we can spend an appropriate amount of time answering your questions and going over detailed home care instructions.
We welcome your questions about the care your pet will receive while hospitalized at WestVet and encourage you to tour our facility and tuck your pet in upon leaving them with us.