If your pet has an emergency during our regular business hours, we ask that you bring your pet immediately in to the clinic for evaluation and stabilization by the doctor on duty. If your pet is in serious condition, the doctor will first take action to assess the situation, and then talk to you about your pet's treatment needs. Please be patient, as your pet's immediate needs are our first priority.

Our clinic is not a 24 hour facility. If the doctor feels that your pet requires overnight observation and care, she will recommend a refrral to Greenbrier Veterinary Emergency Center (GVEC) located at 300 Eden Way North in Chesapeake, behind Greenbrier Mall. Their phone number is 366-9000. The doctor on duty may recommend immediate referral to the GVEC if it is near closing or if the GVEC may be better able to accomodate your pet's emergent condition based on your description.

As in human medicine, veterinary medicine is constantly evolving and advancing to provide our animal patients with the highest level of medical care. We are fortunate to be in close proximity to several Board Certified Veterinary Specialists in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Dentistry. If the doctor feels that your pet may require additional diagnostics performed by a specialist (ex. endoscopy, ultrasonography, bronchoscopy, laparoscopy, neurology) or needs to have a more advanced surgical procedure performed ( ex.certain orthopedic procedures, skin grafts, open chest surgery, or cancer surgery), she will discuss a referral with you. Understand that while the specialist and your primary care veterinarian will work closely together on your pet's health care needs, we will not be able to provide you with the specialist's estimate of costs prior to your consultation.

Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and North Carolina State Veterinary College also sees referral cases. Please let the veterinarian know if you prefer your pet be referred to a university/institution. Keep in mind these are teaching colleges and veterinary students will be involved in your pet's care. Should your pet have a condition in which the veterinarian strongly recommends a referral to a specialist and you do not wish to do so, she may have you sign a form stating you were made aware of the option.