INTERNAL MEDICINE

Preparing for the Appointment

• Please call the Internal Medicine Liaison, at 508-948-7695 to coordinate any specific needs for your appointment.
• Animals can be dropped off the night before or the morning of their appointment to help with shipping arrangements or work schedules.
• Please bring copies of any imaging or lab work you may have had done prior to the appointment.
• Please discuss with our doctors if medications such as antibiotics or anti- inflammatories should be stopped in advance of the appointment.

Arriving at the Hospital

• Please park in the client lot in front of the Hospital for Large Animals. Trailer space is available. Individual cars can park in the designated visitor parking areas
• Please check in with our front desk before unloading.
• Trailers may be parked onsite during hospitalization.

Clinical Evaluation

• Gastroscopy appointment- No food after 6pm. Muzzle if will eat shavings.
• Endocrine Testing Appointment- No feed after 10pm. Muzzle if will eat shavings.
• Appointments for pet pigs - No food after 8pm, in case sedation is needed.
• After the initial evaluation, furthered diagnostics will be discussed and a treatment plan will be made, which will outline associated costs.

Staying in the Hospital

• If you anticipate that your animal will remain in the hospital for an extended stay please supply feed instructions.
  • The hospital carries a variety of Nutrena grain products as well as high quality grass/timothy mixed hay.
  • If your animal has specific dietary requirement or has daily supplements, we request each feeding be packaged into labeled individual portions in amounts estimated for the hospital stay. We cannot return unused supplies of feed.
  • If you have questions regarding feed, please contact a staff member.
• Prior to arrival, please check with hospital staff about bringing medications. Only medications that are not available in our pharmacy may be left behind during your animal’s stay.
• The hospital stays relatively warm at night, even during the winter months. We provide blankets and wraps as needed.
• If your animal requires additional diagnostics, the Hospital for Large Animals offers consultations with other specialty services.
• If you cannot attend your animal’s appointment, you can speak with the attending Clinician in person or over phone after the appointment.

Discharging from the Hospital

You may purchase medications and bandaging materials from our pharmacy. Copies of diagnostic images are available upon request. Your referring veterinarian will be provided with continued communications, as well as a copy of the discharge summary.

Outpatients:

• You will receive a report that summarizes the evaluation, findings, diagnostic results and treatment recommendations.
• The discharge summary can be sent electronically (please provide our front desk staff with updated contact information).

Inpatients:

• At time of discharge, you will receive a report that summarizes the evaluation, findings, diagnostic results and treatment recommendations.
• Please limit personal items as storage space is limited. Please be sure all personal items are taken at time of discharge. The Hospital for Large Animals cannot be responsible for lost items and any perishables will be discarded.
• Unused Medications: Unfortunately, cannot be returned.

Scheduling an Appointment

Appointments can be made by calling 508- 948-7695 between 8:00am - 4:00pm. If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please call us to re-schedule.

Payment

Payment in full is expected at the time of discharge. For those horses that will be hospitalized, you will be provided an estimate in writing and are expected to leave a deposit of 75% of the estimate. Care Credit financing is available and hospital staff can assist you with the application process.

Visiting Hours

• Weekdays: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Weekends: 1:00 pm to 4:00pm
• Holidays: 1:00pm to 4:00pm

We request that you stay with your animal. No food or drinks are permitted in the hospital wards. Feel free to visit Elm's Café on campus which is open until 3pm weekdays.