If Your Pet is Hospitalized - Veterinary Specialty Center

COVID-19 UPDATE: For client and staff safety, we are currently unable to allow clients to visit with their hospitalized pets in-person. However, our team is more than happy to provide photos, videos, and virtual visits where possible.

If your pet is hospitalized at Veterinary Specialty Center, we recommend that you leave your pet’s personal items at home and that you take his or her carrier, leash, or other items with you. We have plenty of beds, comforters and blankets, and other items that a pet may need while in our care.

If your pet is on a special diet or you would prefer that we serve him or her their regular diet, you may leave food with your pet. All food must be cooked, a dry formula, or in cans. A few treats are acceptable. Because we do not want to take the risk of exposing any pet that may already have a compromised immune system to salmonella, we will not accept raw diets.

Your pet’s medication may be used if it is in the original vial or packaging from the pharmacy or your veterinarian. Our patient care coordinator will provide a list of medications that must be discontinued prior to specific procedures.

Visitation

Visiting hours at Veterinary Specialty Center are from noon to 11 pm and visits are limited to 20 minutes. We take special care with visits because they can disrupt your pet’s treatments and recovery. There may be a wait time when coming to visit your pet.

If the client service representative asks you to wait, it is usually due to an unexpected emergency procedure or due to scheduled treatments. Changes in a patient’s condition may result in the need for immediate attention, especially in ICU. Delays may not be related to your pet but could be because of ongoing treatments for other patients in our ICU. Please be patient and allow extra time when coming to visit your pet.

For pets that have been hospitalized after surgery, releases are scheduled every 30 minutes starting at 10 am the morning following the procedure. During that time, a technician will review post-operative procedures that include rest, medications, restrictions, and rehabilitation.