About Veterinary Emergency Service

Tips for a Better Experience  |  Pharmacy and Bloodbank

Back in June of 2003, Veterinary Emergency Service (VES) grew out of a two-fold need in the community. First of all, pet owners needed a quality 24-Hour Urgent Care veterinary facility to provide loving and critical care for their pets. Secondly, Madison-area veterinarians needed a resource to which they could refer cases when their office was closed and those cases requiring advanced diagnostics or specialty procedures not performed at their office.

Primarily, we treat small animals such as dogs and cats, pocket pets, and exotics.

Here at VES we are prepared for animal emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you bring your pet in at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon or 2:00 o'clock in the morning, we'll have doctors, certified technicians, and assistants on duty to help you in your time of need and distress.

As far as Specialty Services are concerned, family or local veterinarians rely on VES as a resource for state-of-the-art pet care. It's a relationship much like a partnership that provides the best of both worlds for you and your pet. When it's necessary for your veterinarian to refer a complicated or critical case to VES, we are able to facilitate their needs and schedule the required procedures.

And, as the call for those Veterinary Specialties increases, we'll be moving forward in adding board-certified specialists to our staff. In the near future, we have both a surgeon and an ophthalmologist joining us.

Tips for a Better Experience

Appointments are preferred for specialty services. We will try to make accommodations for same day service if required, especially in the case of an emergency.

Phone ahead if possible. In order for us to be prepared for your unique emergency, we ask that you call a head so we have emergency procedures in place for your arrival.

Following our exam. At the completion of your pet's exam, an estimate will be prepared to include suggested treatments and costs. Please feel free to discuss our fees, and we will do our best to work within our estimated budgets.

After an agreed upon treatment plan, our staff will care for your pet's current problem only. Your pet will be referred back to your family veterinarian for follow-up care and routine services.

Veterinary Emergency Service does not bill. A deposit based on an agreed estimate is required to initiate treatment. We accept cash, approved checks, debit cards, MC, Visa, and Discover. We also offer Care Credit as a short term solution for medical care.

Cancellations of your appointment are greatly appreciated. Especially in the case of specialty appointments. This opens our veterinarians up for other clients waiting for an appointment. In the case of emergency care, it let's us know your emergency has been resolved and we are not preparing for your arrival.

Pet's records are vital. In order to better treat your pet's condition, we ask you bring all available records, blood work or x-rays with you. In addition, if your pet is on medications, please bring them along as well. This will allow us to confirm all medication doses prescribed by your family veterinarian, and also help to save our clients a few dollars for in-hospital medications.

Follow-up: You can expect a follow up by one of our technicians within a week of your visit with us. If at any time your pet is having issues prior to that call, do not hesitate to contact us. We like to know the outcome of our patients whether good or bad. We love to receive photos and updates as your pet recovers.

Pet loss: We also want to be able to act as a resource in the event that you lose your pet. We are happy to offer links and tools to help your family or children cope with the death of your treasured friend.

Pharmacy and Blood Bank

At VES, we have a broader, more extensive pharmacy in-house than most other clinics. We stock hard-to-obtain, uncommon and critical drugs like antitoxins, antidotes and glaucoma medications. Because of our inventory, many local clinics call us to purchase specialty drugs and treatments. We also keep a ready supply of blood products on hand in order to supply local clinics in case they have a critical need.

In addition, we are testing the development of a blood bank internally. We hope to make it available to the public in several months. We want to make sure we've thought of and covered everything to ensure the donating pet's comfort. As you can imagine, when pets are involved, it's a little more complicated than coming in, sitting down, donating, and then enjoying some cookies and orange juice!

Seasonal Pet Tip

Anti-freeze, even in very small amounts, can kill your pet. The damage is done by chemicals crystallizing in the kidney, so symptoms may not show up for a few days and then it may be too late. Store anti-freeze in tightly closed containers and in a place pets can't reach. Always clean up any spills immediately and thoroughly.