We provide primary care services to local clients who do not have a relationship with another local veterinarian. If you are looking to establish first time care for your pet, you can call The Small Animal Hospital to schedule an appointment at 979-845-2351.
We look forward to your visit. For new clients, please arrive 15-20 minutes before your appointment in order to fill out paper work. Preparation on your part will help us take care of your pet’s needs during the appointment.
Food and water should be continued on your pet’s regular schedule. Medications should also be given on your pet’s regular schedule.
The mission of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is to provide top-level medical services, whilst training the next generation of veterinarians. Students are responsible for most patient care duties, and learn to perform diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. At all times, students are double checked and closely supervised by house officers and faculty members.
Consequently, your visit with us may take longer than visits to your primary care veterinarian. A 4th year veterinary student will greet you and your pet, and take you into an exam room. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the initial history of your pet and perform the first physical exam. Once completed, the student will leave you and your pet in the exam room and discuss his/her findings with the clinician in charge of your case. They will develop a list of problems and potential diagnoses, and make a diagnostic plan to present to you. They will then return to the exam room and discuss with you their findings, go over the diagnostic plan and answer your questions.
It is important for you to know that students, under the supervision and guidance of the veterinarian and technician(s), will be performing these diagnostic procedures on your pet. Additional testing procedures may be recommended as necessary with implementation based on your approval. Ultimately, recommendations and patient-care is based on the experience of the clinician. Please be patient with our students as they are learning the verbal and technical skills needed to be a veterinarian.
We recommend bringing a book or some form of entertainment. You are also welcome to leave the building while we are running tests and/or treating your pet.
Since this is a teaching hospital, your visit will likely take longer than visits to another primary care veterinarian. However, we strive to be courteous of your time and it is our intent to get your pet back to you in the timeliest manner possible. Please keep in mind that all personnel of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital have dedicated their professional life into the care and well-being of animals. Therefore, your pet will receive the utmost attention and TLC while in our hands.
All costs will be explained to you before any tests or treatments are performed and you will be provided with a written estimate if you like. We will update you about additional expenses if we expect to exceed the original estimate. We will make every effort to keep costs low and use your resources in the best way possible.
If your pet is admitted to the hospital, a deposit of 50% of the estimate will be collected at the time of admission, and payment plans can be arranged at the time of deposit.
We understand that visits to the hospital are often stressful for our feline patients. We make every effort to make them as comfortable as possible. Because cats do not typically ride in cars as frequently as dogs, we understand that they can be easily stressed once they arrive at Texas A&M. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) offers helpful guidelines for transporting your cat:
http://www.catvets.com/public/PDFs/ClientBrochures/Cat-to-VetHandout.pdf
Once your cat arrives at the hospital, we follow AAFP’s Feline Friendly practices including housing feline patients separately from dogs and being sensitive to each cat’s needs during its hospital visit. Additionally, we are always happy to work with your veterinarian to facilitate your cat’s care.
The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Emergency Service is staffed by trained veterinarians, technicians and students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are ready to take care of your pet for any reason, at any time.
It is helpful if you call us first so we know to expect you. Please call (979)845-2351 and just let us know when you plan to arrive at the hospital.
Please remember that patients are seen on the triage system. The very ill will be given priority, so some less urgent cases may experience a wait during our busy times.
