Here at Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine, our Emergency and Critical Care Service understands and values the strong relationship we have with our primary care veterinarians. We are providing the guidelines below to help ensure a smooth transfer process for patients who need care through the Emergency and Critical Care Service in both our Guilford and North Haven locations.

Managing Client Expectations

• It is important to appropriately prepare clients for what to expect when being seen through the Emergency Department. Clients should be informed that pets are seen in the order of severity of illness and that there may be extended wait times during busy periods. The initial emergency evaluation process is as follows:
  • Once checked in at the front desk, an experienced triage technician will obtain a thorough history from the owner and the pet will be brought to our treatment area to obtain vitals and to determine patient stability
  • If unstable, the pet will be brought immediately to the treatment area and a history will be obtained at a later time. The front desk will obtain permission to initiate stabilizing therapies and diagnostics (IV catheter placement, point-of-care blood work such as lactate and blood glucose levels, fluid therapy, point of care ultrasound, etc) as well as an advanced directive/code status.
  • Unless otherwise requested by the client, the pet will stay in our treatment area until assessed by an emergency clinician. Clients will be instructed to stay in the waiting room until brought into an examination room to speak with the emergency doctor.
  • The emergency doctor will perform a physical exam and will discuss a thorough history with the client. They will then make diagnostic and treatment recommendations, and provide an itemized estimate for the plan.
  • Clients should understand that if specialist care is needed for a hospitalized pet, they will likely not speak with the specialist until the next day, following transfer of care from the ER to the specialty service. Clients should also be aware that animals who are stable enough to be treated as an outpatient will likely not see a specialist through the ER and scheduling an outpatient consultation may be recommended.

Thank you for your continued referrals and entrusting us with the care of our mutual patients and clients!