When you arrive at AESC

What To Expect If Your Pet Is Stable:

Reception check-in:
Upon arrival at AESC, you will be greeted by one of our helpful customer care specialists. After completing some brief paperwork, your pet will be weighed and taken to an examination room.

Technical check-in:
The first person you will meet in the examination room is a Triage Assistant who will obtain an accurate history of your pet’s medical problem. Our technician will perform a triage exam which includes heart rate, pulse strength, body temperature, respiratory rate, mucous membrane color and perfusion and will note any other abnormalities.

Doctor examination:
The doctor on duty will perform a thorough physical examination of your pet and will ask for more detail if needed.

Diagnosis and Recommendation:
Upon completion of the exam, the doctor will discuss the medical findings and will answer any questions you may have. The doctor may recommend initial diagnostics and will discuss a recommended course of treatment. A treatment plan and costs will be provided before treatment is started. After all questions have been answered and you have approved to the medical plan, paperwork will be finalized, and a deposit will be collected.

What To Expect If Your Pet Is Not Stable:

If your pet is not stable, we immediately take action. We may need to put your pet on a stretcher or gurney. We may need to start medical treatment immediately and ask you to fill out a Critical Care Form which allows us to take your pet directly to our treatment area and begin whatever lifesaving procedures are necessary. As soon as the doctor can leave your pet’s side, you will be able to ask the doctor questions and will be given all the information currently available on your pet’s status. Sometimes the doctor is not able to leave a patient’s side in a timely fashion due to the seriousness of the problem. If that happens, a veterinary technician will talk with you and give you whatever update is available. As soon as possible, the doctor will talk to you, answer any questions you may have, explain what medical problems your pet is experiencing, and recommend a course of treatment.

PLEASE REMEMBER: The most severely compromised patients are seen first. Waiting times may vary and are dependent on the hospital’s caseload.

PATIENT ARRIVAL POLICY: For your protection, and that of others, all dogs must be on a leash and properly restrained while in the waiting area and exam rooms. All cats must be presented in an appropriate cat carrier, leash or other effective means of confinement. If nothing else is available, a pillowcase supported from the bottom can be a very good way to transport a cat. We can lend you a leash or a pet carrier while you are waiting.

IF YOU THINK YOU PET IS CONTAGIOUS: Please leave your pet in the car if you think there is any chance of a transmittable illness such as kennel cough, upper respiratory disease or parvovirus. Please check in at the front desk to complete the admission process. We have special handling procedures to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

PLEASE ASK FOR HELP: We are trained to assist in moving injured animals. Ask for help if your pet has difficulty walking. We sometimes use a muzzle to protect our staff if the injured pet is in pain or scared. Let us know if your pet has bitten anyone or has a history of fractious behavior. Even the nicest pet can be unpredictable when injured, in pain, or scared.