WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PET’S APPOINTMENT
Making Your Appointment
You can make an appointment with Dr. Rosales at anyone of the two specialty locations. At the time you make your appointment you will be asked the name of your family veterinarian. This is important information for us to have because we may need to work closely with your veterinarian as part of your pet’s treatment plan. Dr. Rosales will also need your pet’s medical records as part of her assessment of your pet’s condition. If you have not received a referral to Dr. Rosales from your veterinarian, we may need you to do this in order for us to have permission to obtain your pet’s medical records.
Dr. Rosales’ receptionists at both locations will remind you of your pet’s appointment a day or two before. If you are unable to make your appointment we kindly ask that you cancel with 24 hours notice. This gives us ample time to call those clients who are on our waiting list.
Prior To Your Initial Consultation
Do not bathe your pet or clean its ears 2 days prior to your appointment. Do not apply any ear medications the morning of the recheck appointment
If possible, patients that are non diabetic should not receive food after 10 pm the night before the first exam visit. Water is allowed up to the morning of the appointment. This is asked in case bloodwork needs to be obtained or a sedation or anesthetic procedure needs to be performed.
Diabetic patients should continue to receive insulin as directed by your veterinarian. Pets on thyroid supplements or seizure patients on anti-convulsant medication should continue on their medications as instructed by your veterinarian.
Please bring all current medications to your appointment: including shampoos, sprays, ointments, ear medications, flea and heartworm medications.
The Initial Consultation
We ask that you come 10-15 minutes prior to fill out forms. You will be asked to fill out a new client information form and a pet questionnaire form. You can download the questionnaire form by clicking here. Once the paperwork is filled out, Dr. Rosales’ dermatology technician will take you into the examination room and briefly ask you about your pet’s problems. The technician will then review the case with Dr. Rosales. Dr. Rosales will then discuss with you some more about your pet, perform a thorough dermatological exam on your pet, obtain diagnostics samples (i.e. skin cytologies) and then discuss with you about your pet’s skin problem. At the same time Dr Rosales is discussing with you about your pet, the technician will be analyzing your pet’s samples. A treatment plan based on these test results will then be formulated. A letter summarizing the visit, exam findings, test results and treatment plan will go home with you on that same day or sent to you via postal mail the next day. Your veterinarian will also receive the same letter, so that he/she is informed about your pet.
The initial consultation visit can take 1 ½ hours. This time is essential in figuring out your pet’s skin problem, and Dr. Rosales is committed to this time to make sure your pet’s condition is assessed properly.
The Follow Up Consultation
Follow up consultations are essential in making sure that your pet is responding properly to the treatment plan established at the initial examination visit. It is possible your pet can look better at the time of the recheck exam; however, the primary problem for your pet’s skin condition may not have been fully determined. This is seen quite often in pets with allergies, where the secondary problems are properly addressed but the primary problem is still not resolved and can lead to relapse of your pet’s skin condition within a few weeks to months.
Follow up exam visits may require repeating diagnostics that were performed at the initial visit in order to make sure that improvement is occurring. Your pet may or may not need to remain on medications.
Depending on the primary condition your pet may have, it may be necessary to see your pet for several follow up visits. For certain conditions or therapies, phone consultation may only be needed. We may also have you follow up with your family veterinarian. Please discuss with Dr. Rosales any concerns you may have with these follow up appointments, as we understand that several visits can lead to financial concerns.
Consultations For Intradermal Allergy Testing
Those patients that are referred specifically for intradermal allergy testing will need the following medications withdrawn prior to testing:
* Topical therapy includes any cream, ointment, spray, rinse or shampoo on the skin.
If the patient cannot be off any of the above medications the pet will gladly be seen, but an intradermal skin test may not be performed on the initial visit.
Other topical options that may relieve the pet of itchiness are cool baths with oatmeal containing products or lime sulfur dips. Also, barrier methods, as t-shirts, booties, or e- collars, can be helpful in stopping a pet from itching itself.
