Important Information for Your Upcoming Appointment
What should I expect when I arrive for my appointment?
When you arrive at the hospital, pull your trailer into the diagonal parking spaces on the south east side of the facility (see “Map of Hospital Grounds”). Come in the side entrance on the east side of the teaching hospital building marked “Large Animal Reception.”
Once inside, our receptionists will greet you and inform your veterinary medical team that you and your horse have arrived. At this time, you will be asked to sign a standard hospital release form, which allows us to examine and begin the work up on your horse, and a statement regarding your horse’s potential exposure to any contagious disease, such as strangles or influenza. Also let us know if you have been out of the country in the past two months. It is a priority of this hospital and staff to keep all horses safe from the spread of contagious disease.
After check in, one of our senior veterinary students will greet you at your trailer. He/she will escort you and your horse into the hospital and ask you specific questions regarding your horse’s history, health, and current condition. Once the information is complete you will meet the other members of your veterinary medical team and your faculty clinician. Throughout the course of your appointment it is our goal to answer all your questions. Once a diagnosis has been determined you and your veterinary team will develop the best course of treatment for you and your horse’s circumstances.
The State of Colorado requires payment at the time of service if your animal is not being hospitalized. Should you elect a treatment option that requires your horse to be hospitalized, half of the estimate given to you is due prior to services being provided and the final payment is due upon discharge.
Please also let us know if your horse is insured and if you will need forms filled out for your insurance company.
How long will my visit take?
It is our goal to deliver the most complete service as efficiently as possible. The length of your visit is variable depending on your horse’s specific problem. To provide the best veterinary care for your horse, additional examination and testing may be required. Give yourself plenty of time for the appointment. You are welcome to bring snacks/lunch and we have a bagel shop along with several vending machines in our lunchroom. There are several restaurants in the area also.
What if my horse needs to be hospitalized?
Our facility is a 50 stall hospital that is equipped with dedicated areas for each specialty. Hospitalized patients are monitored 24/7 by equine veterinarians, veterinary nursing staff, and senior veterinary students. We encourage patient visits during the hours of 11:00am to 12:30pm and 4:00pm to 6:30pm. Just stop by the reception desk and they will page someone to meet you and get you back to your horse’s stall. If those times aren't convenient for you, please let us know and we will make arrangements for you. You can expect a call from your veterinary team once daily regarding your horse’s well being unless other arrangements are made. You will be contacted as soon as possible if a problem arises. You are welcome to leave your trailer here and you may park it along the east side of the parking lot.
What happens when my horse goes home?
At the end of your appointment or when you come to pick up your horse, you will go into the Large Animal Reception Desk where you will pay your bill and receive your discharge instructions. Once you have finished there you will proceed to the breezeway where you will meet up with someone from you veterinary team and go over your discharge sheet to be sure all questions are answered and that you have any medications you need. Now it is time to load up so you may pull your trailer into the breezeway. If you have additional questions or concerns after discharge do not hesitate to call us at (970) 297-4471.
How can I share information with my local veterinarian?
We also understand that the care of your horse involves many people. If you have not been directly referred by a primary care veterinarian, please let us know if there is a veterinarian we need to provide information to regarding the treatment of your horse.