For the Pet Owner

What to expect when you visit us.

Appointments and Procedures:
Appointments are made by referral from your family veterinarian, who will fill out and send a referral form to our office. (Occasionally, we offer second opinions and will accept clients who have difficulty obtaining a referral from their family veterinarian.) Oral procedures and 30-minute consultations are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Oral procedures are performed in the afternoons.

Pre-anesthetic blood work is not required for pets under six years of age, but it is required for all pets over six years of age or for those with significant health problems. Pre-anesthetic work-ups, including blood work, should be performed at the family veterinarian’s office and faxed to us in advance of the scheduled appointment. AD&OS only performs dental and oral surgical procedures.

New Client Forms: Clients new to our practice should complete a “new client form” available by CLICKING HERE. Please complete this form prior to your office visit, or plan to arrive a few minutes in advance of your appointment to complete this form.

Consultations: Dr. Chamberlain will discuss your pet’s condition with you during a 30-minute private consultation, including a preliminary diagnosis and your treatment options, as well as anesthetic and procedural risks. Your questions are welcome and encouraged!

Before we perform any procedure on your pet, or if additional problems are discovered while your pet is anesthetized, you will be contacted by phone to discuss the new findings and treatment options. Therefore, please be certain that we have a home or cell phone number where you may be reached at all times. Any treatment not previously discussed will not be performed without your knowledge and consent.

Complete Exam: Although an initial diagnostic impression may result from the consultation, a thorough oral exam while your pet is under anesthesia is necessary for a complete evaluation.

Procedure time: Patients are admitted after each exam/consultation. Please note that your “scheduled appointment time” is not the time the procedure is scheduled for your pet.

Heart Conditions: If your pet has an existing heart condition or murmur, or if a “new” heart murmur is heard, a heart assessment by a veterinary cardiologist will be necessary before we proceed with anesthesia or treatment. Cardiac workups should be completed prior to the consultation appointment.

Hospital Stay: In most cases, patients stay with our caring team for the day. Because the health and safety of your pet is our top priority, we cannot guarantee a specific release time; however, our staff will keep you informed and do their best to accommodate your work schedule and travel time. Generally, pets do not need to stay overnight.

Post Anesthesia Procedure: Our staff will contact you after your pet has recovered safely from anesthesia and will let you know when you can pick up your pet. One of our licensed technicians and/or Dr. Chamberlain will meet with you to discuss your pet’s condition, treatment, homecare instructions and any necessary medications. Written instructions will also be provided. Please remember that your pet will experience some sedative effects so it is important to follow all discharge instructions closely.

Fee estimates: Clinical procedures are tailored to the specific needs of each pet. As a result, set fees cannot be established, but rather are determined on a case-by-case basis. Following your consultation, you will receive a written, estimated range of fees for the total costs for your consultation and the treatment option you elect for your pet. Although fees rarely exceed the estimates given, if unexpected time and materials usage is encountered, this could change.

Payment: Full payment is due when services are rendered. We accept cash, local checks, Visa, Discover, MasterCard and CareCredit, a low or no cost financing option for qualified applicants.

Helpful Links
American Veterinary Dental College – www.AVDC.org
Veterinary Oral Health Council – www.VOHC.org
General site for Animal Oral Health Care www.OralATP.com
American Veterinary Medical Association - www.AVMA.org
Cornell University Veterinary College - www.vet.cornell.edu
The LifeCentre – www.TLCvets.com
Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates – www.CVCAvets.com