REFERRALS
We facilitate specialized oral health care for animals
ensuring comprehensive and expert treatment for various dental issues
VETERINARIAN DENTAL REFERRAL FORM
CLIENT REFERRAL FORM
HOW REFERRALS WORK
Veterinary referrals work as a collaborative process between primary care veterinarians and specialized veterinary professionals to ensure that animals receive the best possible care for specific medical conditions. Here’s how the process generally works:
- Diagnosis and Assessment: When a primary care veterinarian encounters a case that requires specialized knowledge or equipment, they evaluate the animal’s condition and determine if a referral to a specialist is necessary. This can apply to various fields, such as cardiology, dermatology, surgery, or dentistry.
- Recommendation for Referral: If the primary care veterinarian believes that the case requires specialized care, they will recommend a referral to an appropriate specialist. The recommendation is based on the complexity of the case and the specific expertise required.
- Referral and Information Sharing: The primary care veterinarian will provide the specialist with relevant medical history, diagnostic tests, and any pertinent information about the animal’s condition. This information helps the specialist understand the case and plan the appropriate course of action.
- Consultation and Treatment: The specialist reviews the information and may conduct additional tests or examinations to refine the diagnosis. Based on their expertise, they develop a treatment plan tailored to the animal’s needs. This plan may involve advanced procedures, surgeries, medications, or specialized therapies.
- Collaboration and Communication: Throughout the process, the specialist and the primary care veterinarian maintain open communication. They discuss the diagnosis, treatment options, and progress of the animal’s condition. This collaboration ensures that the primary care veterinarian is informed and can continue to provide follow-up care.
- Transition and Follow-Up: After the specialist has provided the necessary treatment, the animal is often referred back to the primary care veterinarian for ongoing care and follow-up. The primary care veterinarian ensures that the treatment plan is followed, monitors the animal’s progress, and makes any necessary adjustments.
Veterinary referrals are crucial for providing comprehensive and specialized care, as different conditions require specific knowledge and skills. This collaboration between primary care veterinarians and specialists ensures that animals receive the best available medical attention and have the highest chance of recovery or improved quality of life.
WHAT TO EXPECT (BEFORE / DURING / AFTER)
Welcome!
Taking the first step towards your pet’s dental health begins with a simple phone call. During this initial conversation, we will schedule both an initial consultation and a procedure tailored to your pet’s needs.
The initial awake consultation typically occurs 2 to 4 weeks before the scheduled procedure. During this consultation, your pet will meet with Dr. Morris for a thorough evaluation of their overall health and a close examination of their mouth. This allows us to discuss our findings with you and propose a personalized treatment plan. We’ll also take the time to go over what to expect on the day of the procedure, addressing any questions or concerns you may have.
On the day of the procedure, your pet will be admitted to our clinic for the day. The procedure is performed under a general anesthetic, carefully tailored to your pet’s individual needs for their safety and comfort. Throughout the day, we’ll keep you informed of your pet’s progress.
Once under general anesthesia, we’ll conduct intraoral radiographs and photographs to get a comprehensive view of your pet’s oral health. Dr. Morris will perform a thorough examination, and we’ll promptly update you on our findings. Together, we’ll finalize the treatment plan, ensuring it aligns with your pet’s specific requirements.
After the procedure, we will keep a close eye on your pet’s recovery and will contact you again once they are in the recovery stage. We are deeply committed to ensuring your pet’s comfort, especially when it comes to pain management. As part of our approach, we utilize local anesthetics, such as nerve blocks, to ensure your pet is comfortable upon waking from anesthesia. This freezing will wear off later the same day or into the next day, but rest assured that we prioritize your pet’s comfort throughout this period.
Your pet will go home in the afternoon or evening on the day of surgery. We’ll provide you with medications to be administered as directed, ensuring your pet’s continued comfort and well-being during the recovery process. It’s important to note that for the first two weeks after surgery, you should not handle your pet’s mouth directly. All medications need to be hidden in food or treats to prevent any discomfort.
We will follow up with you the next day to ensure that your pet is progressing well. If your pet is not eating adequately the day after surgery, we recommend returning to the clinic so we can administer medications via injection to support their recovery.
It’s normal for pets to experience some swelling and have a small amount of blood in their saliva in the days following surgery. However, if you have any concerns or notice any unusual symptoms, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Your pet’s health and well-being are our top priorities, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS - CARDIOLOGY CONSULTATION AVAILABLE
Cardiology and internal medicine consultations.
At our clinic, we provide comprehensive veterinary care, including cardiology and internal medicine consultations. If your pet has any underlying heart or medical conditions that require assessment before undergoing anesthesia and dental surgery, we offer consultations with our specialists.
You can request a consultation through your primary care veterinarian, or our veterinary dentist may recommend further investigation based on the findings during your pet’s initial consultation. Rest assured, your pet’s health and well-being are our utmost priorities, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.
ANESTHESIOLOGY CONSULTATION
We offer anesthesiology consultation services to ensure optimal safety and efficiency during your pet’s procedure. While not every pet or anesthesia situation may necessitate this service, we’ll inform you if it’s deemed necessary by Dr. Morris. These consultations between Dr. Morris and the anesthesiologist, are conducted prior to the scheduled procedure date, allowing us to thoroughly prepare and mitigate any potential risks associated with anesthesia.
Please note that additional fees apply for anesthesiology consultations. Our priority is to provide personalized care tailored to your pet’s specific needs, ensuring their well-being throughout the process.
CT SCAN AVAILABLE IF NEEDED
CT scans are indispensable tools in modern veterinary medicine, particularly for surgical interventions involving complex conditions such as cleft palate repair, oncological surgeries, fracture diagnosis and repair. Here’s why CT scans are crucial before undertaking such surgeries:
1. Accurate Assessment of Anatomy: CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images, offering surgeons a comprehensive view of the affected area. This is particularly beneficial for surgeries like fracture repair, where precise understanding of the bone structure and surrounding tissues is crucial for successful outcomes.
2. Identification of Hidden Anomalies: In cases of fractures and other oral surgeries, there may be underlying anatomical anomalies or tumor extensions that are not easily detected on physical examination or conventional imaging methods. CT scans can reveal these hidden abnormalities, allowing surgeons to plan their approach accordingly and minimize the risk of complications during surgery.
3. Surgical Planning and Precision: With CT scan images, veterinary surgeons can meticulously plan the surgical approach for fracture repair, including the location and type of fracture, the alignment of bone fragments, and the placement of implants or fixation devices. This level of precision enhances the surgical outcome and reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications.
4. Assessment of Tumor Characteristics: In oncological surgeries, CT scans provide vital information about the size, location, and characteristics of tumors. This data guides surgeons in determining the optimal surgical approach and helps predict the likelihood of achieving complete tumor removal.
It’s important to note that while we do not have a CT scan in-house, we have access to one at a nearby hospital where it would be arranged prior to certain surgeries. This ensures that we can provide the most comprehensive and effective care for our patients, optimizing their chances of successful outcomes.
INFORMATION FOR REFERRING VETERINARIANS
We are dedicated to delivering exceptional care and support for your patients at our practice. Our primary objective is to ensure that each pet receives the highest standard of treatment and experiences a positive outcome. In line with this commitment, we firmly believe in a collaborative approach to patient care. We understand the significance of identifying and managing any underlying conditions that may impact your patient’s health and well-being. To facilitate this, we offer access to our internal medicine specialist and cardiologist for consultations and evaluations.
If you have concerns regarding your patient’s health status or believe they could benefit from specialized care in internal medicine or cardiology, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our team is here to support you and your patients every step of the way. By working together, we can ensure that your patients receive the comprehensive care they deserve.
Additionally, we offer anesthesiology consultation services to enhance the safety and efficiency of the pet’s procedures. While this service is not necessary for every pet or anesthesia scenario, we will promptly inform you if Dr. Morris determines it is advisable. Please be advised that additional fees apply for anesthesiology consultations. These consultations are between Dr. Morris and the anesthesiologist, and are conducted prior to the scheduled procedure date, allowing us to thoroughly prepare and mitigate any potential risks associated with anesthesia.
Our focus is on delivering personalized care tailored to the unique needs of your patient, ensuring their comfort and well-being throughout the process. In order to make this possible, we kindly request the following from you:
- Please complete the referral request form as thoroughly as possible, ensuring all health conditions and current medications are listed.
- Please send photographs of the pet’s mouth. In addition to sending a photo of the area of concern, please send photos showing each side of the mouth and from the front, with the lips pulled back.
- After the procedure, the pets should return to you for the postoperative healing assessment, typically recommended 14 days after the surgery. If any concerns arise, please take photographs and reach out to Dr. Morris to discuss the issues. We are also available to see the pet back for a progress exam at our facility.
We sincerely appreciate the trust you place in us by referring your patients to our care. We value our collaboration and eagerly anticipate working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for our furry companions.
PATIENT MANAGEMENT AND ANESTHETIC CONSIDERATIONS
At our veterinary practice, we prioritize the meticulous planning of dental procedures, ensuring the utmost care for all patients, particularly those with underlying health conditions. Among our patient population, we frequently encounter individuals with various medical issues such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic disorders.
Geriatric patients with conditions like arthritis require special attention during dental procedures. We take precautions to avoid aggravating their arthritis under general anesthesia by carefully monitoring patient positioning and minimizing joint strain during and after the procedure.
In addition to these considerations, we also address special breed concerns, particularly for greyhound and brachycephalic patients, who face additional risks under general anesthesia. Understanding breed-specific risks allows us to tailor our approach to ensure the safety of these patients.
Our approach to dental care is comprehensive and personalized, recognizing the importance of effectively managing underlying health conditions to minimize risks and optimize outcomes. Pain management is a top priority, with oral nerve blocks administered for every surgery, supplemented by IV pain medications and continuous infusion to ensure patient comfort.
Throughout the procedure, we maintain constant vigilance, actively monitoring and managing the patient’s vital parameters under anesthesia. This includes regulating temperature, ventilation, heart rate, and blood pressure to ensure they remain within normal ranges.
Please note that our clinic operates on an outpatient basis, and we do not provide overnight care. In the rare event that a patient requires overnight monitoring, we will refer them to a 24-hour facility, with the owner responsible for transportation.
Our commitment to comprehensive care extends from preoperative preparation to postoperative monitoring, prioritizing the safety, comfort, and well-being of our patients at all times. We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality dental care possible, ensuring the best outcomes for our furry companions.
OUR DENTAL REPORT
Following the pet’s dental procedure at our veterinary clinic, we are committed to providing you with a comprehensive report to ensure transparency and understanding of the treatment provided. Here’s what you can expect in our dental report:
- **Detailed Dental Chart**: The report will include a meticulously documented dental chart, outlining our findings during the procedure. This chart provides a comprehensive overview of your pet’s dental health, including any abnormalities or conditions identified.
- **Intraoral Radiographs and Photographs**: We understand the importance of visual documentation. Therefore, the report will contain copies of the intraoral radiographs and photographs taken during the procedure. These images provide invaluable insights into the specific dental issues addressed and the treatments administered.
- **Summary of Findings, Treatments, and Medications**: A detailed summary will be provided, outlining the findings from the dental examination, the treatments performed, and any medications prescribed. This ensures clarity regarding the steps taken to address the pet’s dental needs.
- **Postoperative Care Instructions**: The report will include thorough postoperative care instructions tailored to the pet’s specific needs. These instructions will cover topics such as medication administration, dietary recommendations, and activity restrictions to promote optimal healing and recovery.
- **Recommendation for Progress Exam**: We prioritize ongoing monitoring of the pet’s dental health. Therefore, the report will mention when your pet/patient should be scheduled for a progress examination. Typically, this examination is recommended 14 days after the surgery, and we advise this appointment be scheduled with the family veterinarian for seamless continuity of care.
By providing you with this comprehensive report, we aim to empower you with the information needed to support your pet’s/patient’s dental health journey. Should you have any questions or concerns following the procedure, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Your pet’s/patient’s well-being is our top priority, and we are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcome for their dental health.