Pet Owners

We would like to see any X-rays or laboratory work that was completed by your family veterinarian or surgeon, as well as your veterinary referral form so we have a complete understanding of your pet’s history, treatments and overall condition.

Hospitalized pets are sent home with a set of discharge instructions explaining at-home care and any additional recommendations for follow up.The at-home care instructions may vary depending on the procedure. Your pet’s care team will discuss these with you before your pet is discharged to go home. If you have any questions after you leave, please call us any time.

When a pet is undergoing treatment and away from home, we understand the stress that can cause for pet and family members alike. Your presence can often improve your pet’s recovery and give your family peace of mind, so we encourage you to visit during your pet’s stay with us. Please call and schedule a visit to minimize any wait time.

There is always the chance that we’ll be working with an emergency case upon your arrival. If so, we appreciate your patience while waiting to see your pet.

Contact us to schedule a visit.

In order to perform a successful, sterile procedure, it is often necessary for us to shave an area of your pet’s fur. We shave as minimally as possible, and the amount shaved will vary depending upon the procedure. For most procedures, we will shave an area for an IV catheter, monitoring equipment and the incision site. Please ask a member of your pet’s care team for specifics on your pet’s procedure. It may look a little funny to you, but it’s for your pet’s health and safety. Remember, hair always grows back!

You know your pet better than anyone else does—if you’re noticing unusual behavior, we encourage you to take that to heart. Consult with your veterinarian if possible, and if not, you can bring your pet to our emergency department at any time. Learn more about our emergency services and see a detailed list of symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

We believe it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you have a question about your pet’s behavior and your family veterinarian is unavailable, please give us a call and we can advise you on next steps.

We know providing payment can add to the strain of the situation. We strive to ease that concern by accepting a wide variety of credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, as well as cash, CareCredit and most forms of pet insurance. If your pet requires hospitalization, a deposit equaling the low end of the estimate is required upon admittance. Payment in full is expected at the time of discharge.

No, we do not offer routine general care at AESC. Specialists are an extension of your family veterinarian—not a replacement. We take cases that fall beyond the scope of a family veterinary clinic to help your pet, and then transfer care back. Our relationship with your family veterinarian is important to your pet’s optimal treatment.

Owners of hospitalized pets will receive twice-daily medical updates from the specialty staff—once in the morning and once in the afternoon. If your pet has a surgery, we call you immediately after the procedure is complete to fill you in on the details. We continue to stay in communication with updates throughout the period that your pet is under our care. Please feel free to check in with us any time at 720-842-5050.

After the initial consultation, if we need further medical history in order to help us make a diagnosis, we will call your family veterinarian. Whether we call for further information or not, we always send a letter to your family veterinarian covering your pet’s diagnosis and proposed treatment. After your pet undergoes a procedure, we update your family veterinarian with a letter outlining how the procedure went and the recommended discharge instructions for a healthy recovery.