What to Expect at a Specialty Appointment
Knowing what you should expect from your first specialty appointment with us should help to make the process much easier and comfortable both for you and your pet.
STEP 1
Get Settled
We ask that clients arrive at least 10 minutes early in order to fill out one of our Patient Registration forms.
If you would like to save some time, you can complete the appropriate Patient Registration Form by printing it off and filling it out ahead of time.
STEP 2
Meet Your Board-Certified Specialist
A member of our specialist team will review your pet's history and discuss their issues. You can ask any questions you want, and we'll take the time to answer.
STEP 3
Examination, Diagnosis & Treatment
After your pet's assessment, we will give you a diagnosis and a range of appropriate treatment options.
Your veterinary specialist will work with you to determine a treatment plan for your pet. After your visit, we will also contact your primary care veterinarian and provide a detailed written report about your appointment and treatment plan.
Our Pet Care Philosophy
We are an extension of your primary care veterinarian at those times when unique medical care is required. We proudly serve pet-owners and veterinarians in Vancouver by providing advanced-level services and procedures not generally available in family practice.
We will work closely with your family veterinarian and our network of specialists to provide the best course of treatment for your pet.
Payment & Financing
At Columbia River Veterinary Specialists in Vancouver, we'll help you navigate our options for payment and financing so you can focus on getting your pet the care they need.
- What types of payment options are available?
Payment in full is expected at the time services are provided or upon discharge of your pet. We accept payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express.
- Are there payment plans available for my pet’s care?
We are proud to offer CareCredit and Scratchpay as financing options. They both offer an easy application process that will give you results in minutes.
- Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?
We will always provide you with an estimate of the cost of our services in good faith before beginning treatment. That being said, unforeseen circumstances may arise in the course of your pet's treatment that influence the total of your final bill.
We will always discuss our written estimate with all clients before they leave our facility, and require a deposit based on our estimate prior to any further treatment.
- What are the fees associated with a specialty appointment?
You are financially responsible for the initial exam fee and any diagnostics or treatment that you consent to for your pet’s treatment. This payment is due at the time of service.
For any further hospitalization, diagnostics or surgical treatments, a deposit will be required upfront with payment due in its entirety when we discharge your pet.
- What are the fees associated with an emergency visit?
We require a deposit payment for all of our emergency examinations and treatments. Once our staff and doctors have had a chance to assess your pet's condition, we will provide you with an estimate for your possible treatment plans will be provided.
For further hospitalization, diagnostics or surgery, a deposit is required upfront with payment in full due when your pet is discharged.
- Can you help with my pet insurance?
We’re happy to help you complete pet insurance forms for your pet’s visit.
Pet Owner Resources
Here are some helpful links for your pet's health.
Patient Registration Forms
Simplify your visit by downloading and completing our patient registration forms.