APPOINTMENTS
& DROP-OFFS
The doctors see patients Monday
through Saturday by appointment. An appointment will save you time when
you arrive. Occasionally, there are emergencies that must be “worked
in” to the schedule. We will do everything possible to minimize
appointment delays due to emergencies that must be seen. You may
schedule your pet to be dropped off if one of the doctors has examined
your pet previously and the problems have been discussed. We will ask
you to fill out a Patient Drop Off Information Sheet.
WE WOULD PREFER TO RECEIVE DROP-OFFS FOR SURGERY
FROM 7:15 TO 8:00AM. RELEASES CAN BE PICKED UP AS LATE AS 5:30PM.
PREOPERATIVE INFORMATION
Your pet may be dropped off for
surgery if one of the doctors has already examined your pet and surgery
has been scheduled. Drop-offs are admitted after 7:15AM
Please be sure to leave all phone
numbers where you can be reached on the surgery day. We will ask you to
fill out a Patient Drop Off Information sheet. The ICU staff will call
you when your pet is in post-operative recovery.
When making a surgery appointment,
please discuss with the surgery staff whether or not to discontinue
current medications prior to surgery.
Withhold food after 10:00PM the night
prior to surgery. Water is permitted until 6:00AM the morning of
surgery.
If your pet is on a special diet or
is currently taking medication, please bring that food and/or medication
with you when dropping off for surgery.
For your pet’s benefit, please give
us a written note about any change in your pet’s condition and the food
and medication it has had within the last 24 hours.
Most patients are required to be
hospitalized at least one night following surgery in order to be
monitored for progress.
Please call 713-693-1122 to cancel
and/or reschedule surgery if necessary.
CALLS AFTER SURGERY
The surgery schedule is often not
predictable due to the need for unscheduled emergency surgeries. We
typically call clients when the surgery is completed. However,
sometimes we are delayed, cannot make contact immediately, or do not
make contact on the initial call. If you have not been called by 5:00PM
on the day of surgery, please call us. If the doctor cannot come to the
phone, ask to speak with the technician that works in the exam room with
your doctor, or one of the technicians in surgery recovery.
IN-HOSPITAL REFERRALS
Occasionally, multi-diagnostic care may be in the
best interest of your pet. In such cases, Gulf Coast Veterinary Surgery
may consult with other specialists at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists.
UPDATES AND PROGRESS REPORTS
If your
pet is hospitalized, we know you are anxious to receive an update as
soon as possible. We also want to keep you informed. The doctor and
technicians are able to give information after morning rounds.
Therefore,
we ask that you not call
before 10:00AM. You may call for updates and progress reports from
10:00AM to 5:00PM Monday through Friday. Please do not call for
progress reports on Saturday and Sunday—one of our staff will call you
on those days with a report.
We are closed on Sunday. Technicians responsible for night and weekend
patient care are very busy taking care of your pets. Because the
switchboard is closed, they cannot receive calls to give progress
reports and updates. For security reasons, they are not authorized to
unlock doors and allow visitation after office hours.
The Animal Emergency Clinic in
this building is a separate practice. Their staff is not familiar with
Gulf Coast Veterinary Surgery, Orthopedic & Neurology’s patients.
Therefore, they are unable to answer questions about your pet.
Please
do not call the Emergency Clinic for updates or progress reports if your
pet is hospitalized at Gulf Coast Veterinary Surgery, Orthopedics &
Neurology.
DOCTORS’ CALL-BACK SCHEDULES
The doctors receive many phone calls
each day. They take as many calls as they can between appointments and
procedures. At times, they must call back as soon as possible or return
calls after the clinic closes. Please be sure to give day and night
numbers as well as pager and mobile phone numbers. Pagers cannot be
used for after-hours calls. The doctors have trained their technicians
to return some of the calls in order to speed up callbacks and reassure
you about your pet’s condition.
VISITATION
We know
how difficult it is for you to leave your pet if hospitalization is
required. If your pet needs to stay in the hospital for more than two
(2) days, you are welcome to schedule a visit.
If approved, visitation must be scheduled in
advance for one five-to-ten minute visit per day.
Special arrangements may be made for the critically ill. Keep in mind
that your pet could be very excited or disappointed after you leave.
For this reason, visiting is not necessarily the best thing for your
pet, but your doctor will be happy to discuss this with you. Please
be aware that even though you have a scheduled visit, there may be a
delay if the ICU staff is dealing with other pet emergencies.
DISCHARGES
Please call before you pick up your pet to make sure
the paperwork is ready and schedule a discharge time. Calling will help
alleviate waiting time. The doctors or technicians will go over the
discharge instructions. If you have ANY questions, we will want to
answer them for you before you go home. If a recheck examination with
your doctor is needed, you may want to consider scheduling this
appointment before leaving.
PHARMACY
Please call at least 24 hours ahead if you need prescriptions refilled.
This will prevent any delay and inconvenience to you. Let us know what
time you will arrive to pick up.
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
Your questions are encouraged! We
want you to be well informed about your pet’s condition, diagnosis, and
recommended treatment. If surgery is necessary, we urge you to discuss
your concerns with the doctor. A written estimate will be provided
prior to surgery. Your pet is receiving the finest care in a
state-of-the-art specialty hospital. We are proud of our hospital and
staff and want you to be comfortable in all aspects of your pet’s care
while in our facility. Comments and constructive criticism are welcome.
