What to Expect on Arrival
Upon arrival at PVE (between the hours of 6pm and 8am), the front desk may be unattended, so open the front door and press the buzzer for assistance. We have a camera on the front door and at reception so we can see both you and your pet. If you have a large collapsed dog and will need assistance, please call ahead and advise staff.
Your pet will be seen as soon as possible but sometimes you maybe asked to wait as other pets may have more urgent medical needs. This is called Triage, which is the process of allocating a level of urgency to an animal’s situation.
TRIAGE
Triage is the process of determining whether or not your pet has a life-threatening problem that requires immediate care. A staff member will ask you questions and briefly examine your pet. This will determine the level of urgency of the situation. If your pet is found to be stable after triage, you may be asked to take a seat in the waiting room until a veterinarian is free to examine your pet. You will be provided with an admission form and questionnaire to fill out, to generate a record for your pet.
If a critical problem is identified, our staff will ask your permission to take your pet straight through to the treatment area for initiation of life-saving therapy. This initial therapy can cost between $300 and $800. Please inform staff if there are any financial restrictions at this time. Once your animal is stabilised the veterinarian will explain the required course of action and the approximate costs involved for further investigation and treatment.
ADMITTING YOUR PET
If your pet stays in the hospital for tests, monitoring or surgery, you will be asked to sign a consent form and estimate of costs. This form also allows you to pre-determine your decision, should your pet require a sudden change of treatment (such as cardiopulmonary arrest), and authorizes PVE to seek payment for these services. You will often be given an estimate of costs for the first 12 hours of care and in some cases that require a longer hospital stay, an approximation of what the total bill could come to. Please note, that PVE is a separate business to the specialist disciplines of Perth Veterinary Specialists and so once your pet has been discharged or referred, you will need to finalise the bill with the emergency service.
HOW DO I GET AN UPDATE?
No news is good news! The vet is unlikely to call you during the evening of admission unless there is something specific to report or additional information is needed. However, you are welcome to call at any time and ask how your pet is doing. The vet may not be able to speak with you personally, but can get a message to you regarding your pet’s status. The next morning between 5am - 8am we will call you to provide an update. You will learn how your pet is doing, what the plan is for the day and receive an update about the status of the costs.
WHAT HAPPENS AT DISCHARGE?
The discharge of your pet from the emergency service should occur between 6am and 8am on weekdays as the emergency service staff need to leave by 8am. If you require a later discharge, this can be arranged with the Perth Veterinary Specialists hospital for a small fee. You will be provided with discharge instructions and medications if required. You will be advised if your pet is well enough to go home or if it still requires further care at your general practice veterinarian. If your animal has a complicated medical or surgical condition requiring specialist care, they can be referred to the Perth Veterinary Specialists, located within the same hospital, or to another specialist as recommended by your referring veterinarian. Prior to being discharged, or referred to a specialist for further treatment, you will be required to complete payment of the account with the emergency centre.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
The veterinarian will advise you with an estimate of the costs associated with your pet’s treatment. We accept cash, and have electronic card facilities for payment. If you require financial assistance please advise the staff as soon as possible. At the completion of the consultation or your pet’s stay with the emergency centre, you will be given an itemized invoice. Payment is required prior to discharge or referral to a specialist service
