Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center
Appointments
After your primary care veterinarian has referred you to our hospital, you may call to schedule an appointment. During this initial appointment, the doctor will obtain a thorough history, perform a complete physical examination, answer questions, and discuss diagnostic and treatment options. An estimate of charges will be also presented. While many common diagnostic tests and some procedures and treatments can be completed during your consultation, others may be scheduled for a later date.
Regular Appointments
Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. We allot 45 minutes for the initial consultation. We will ask that you complete basic paperwork and provide a brief description of your pet’s medical condition. Generally, we are able to schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons within one week.
Emergency Appointments
Emergency appointments are made by referral only. If you feel your pet is experiencing an emergency, please contact your primary care veterinarian and they will facilitate an emergency appointment with the DVSC. Whenever possible, we offer same-day surgery. If your pet’s surgery is not an emergency, it may be scheduled for a later date.
What to Expect
Communication
DVSC is dedicated to providing honest, open communication to both you and your family veterinarian. We ask that you be as detailed as possible when explaining your needs and concerns relative to your pet’s health. Although we can never say with certainty what the future holds for our patients, we will give you our honest prediction regarding initial surgical success, as well as long-term prognosis. While your pet is in our care, your own veterinarian will remain the primary-care doctor. Consequently, we will communicate with your veterinarian by phone, letter, fax, and/or e-mail as necessary, detailing your visit and our recommendations for your pet’s follow up care.
The Day of Your Visit
Diet
The majority of our patients receive Science Diet or Iams canned and/or dry food. If you would like your pet to receive a special diet, please provide it at the time your pet is hospitalized. Additionally, please bring any medications your pet is currently receiving, as well as a brief note on the dose and frequency that the medications are to be given. The medication must be in its original prescription bottle and prescribed to the patient. We cannot administer medications in pill organizers, or if they are prescribed to another pet, etc. If they are not labeled appropriately we have to administer, and charge for, our stock medications while they are hospitalized.
Safety & Comfort
To optimize anesthetic safety, we use:
Well-trained and proficient technical personnel
A variety of sensitive cardiopulmonary monitoring devices
Continuous electrocardiography
Apnea monitors
End-tidal carbon-dioxide sensors
Oxygen saturation monitoring
Continuous temperature and blood pressure monitoring
To minimize postoperative pain, we use:
Epidural administration of local anesthetics and narcotic agents
Local and regional anesthetic blocks
Intravenous and intramuscular narcotic pain relievers
Slow-release narcotic skin patches
Oral pain relievers to be given at home
Preparation
Payment Options
COVID-19 Update – Cash and checks are not accepted at this time.
We require prepayment of the estimated charges, and the balance is due upon discharge. We’ve made it easy for you to pay online and accept MasterCard, AmEx, Visa, Discover, and CareCredit. We also accept checks or cash. Affordable financing is available for qualified clients. Our staff will be glad to assist with these arrangements either before, or at the time of the consultation.
Fasting
In general, you should withhold food for 12 hours prior to your pet’s appointment. This will allow for any needed diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, to be performed under sedation or light anesthesia. Please confirm with your primary care veterinarian that it is safe for your pet to go without food. Water should always be available for your pet.
Medical History
Please ensure that DVSC has been provided with your pet’s pertinent medical history prior to the time of consultation, including information about medications, previous laboratory results and X-rays. These may be sent by your referring veterinarian prior to your appointment, or you may bring them with you. If your veterinarian will be sending the information, we recommend calling your referring veterinarian the day prior to your appointment for confirmation that the records have been sent.
Personal Items
We recommend against leaving personal items with your pet. If you find this absolutely necessary, we will do our best to keep track of all items while your pet is here in order to return them to you. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the return of personal items.
Post-Operative Care
Hospitalization
Pets are continuously monitored and treated with the utmost care and compassion while hospitalized at DVSC. Our phones are staffed from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You are welcome to call and check on your pet.
Discharge
When your pet is ready to go home, our office will set up a discharge appointment. At the appointment, you will meet with a staff member to review the instructions for your pet’s post-operative care, review your pet’s radiographs, and discuss any questions you may have. Although in most cases the surgeon will not meet with you at the time of discharge, please feel free to call and speak with them if you have a question or concern about your pet.
While your pet is receiving medical care at DVSC, our surgeons will be in close contact with your veterinarian and provide them with a detailed report for your pet’s medical record. Once your pet has been discharged from DVSC (after the surgery and post-operative period), your pet’s care should be continued by your primary care veterinarian.
Follow-Up Care
Some pets will require periodic recheck appointments at DVSC following their initial surgery. This is especially true for pets requiring orthopedic surgery. Please remember that the cost of recheck visits is not included in the original estimate for surgery. You will be informed if rechecks are required.
Updates & Visitation Hours
Fort Worth
Progress Updates
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
You may call and check on your pet in the evening or weekend.
Visitation Hours
Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Visits after 5:00pm on weekdays or during the weekend must be coordinated with the doctors and staff.
Grapevine
Progress Updates
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
You may call and check on your pet in the evening or weekend.
Visitation Hours
Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Visits after 5:00pm on weekdays or during the weekend must be coordinated with the doctors and staff.
North Dallas
Progress Updates
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
A doctor will call with a progress report every morning and in the event of any changes in medical status.
Visitation Hours
Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Saturdays, 9:00am – 10:30am
Plano
Progress Updates
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
A doctor will call with a progress report every morning and in the event of any changes in medical status.
Visitation Hours
Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm
