Specialty Appointments

What to Expect at a Specialty Appointment

Knowing what to expect at your first appointment will help make the process more pleasant for both you and your pet.

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 Thousand Oaks 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 & Hospital FAQs

At Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center of Thousand Oaks in Thousand Oaks, 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, and 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.

• When are specialists available for appointments?

  Consultations with our board-certified specialists are accepted by referral from your family veterinarian and by appointment*. Our specialists are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am. In addition, cardiology appointments are also available on Saturdays. For your convenience, we offer a drop-off service for certain diagnostics and procedures.

  *Individual specialty department schedules may vary. Please call for details.

• What is the cancellation policy?

  At VSEC, our top priority is to make sure that each patient is seen with expert care and thoroughness. It’s our goal to ensure that each pet owner leaves feeling confident about their pet’s treatment and that all their questions have been answered. We believe every appointment is valuable not only to our patients and their owners but also to our team. 

  If for any reason, you are unable to keep your appointment, we require a 48 -hour cancellation notice to avoid charging you a cancellation fee of $50. Please make sure to call us within two days of the appointment to avoid the fee.

  The cancellation policy applies to all scheduled appointments, including consultations and rechecks. 

  Emergency Services

  No appointments are needed for emergency services. We accept patients 24-hours a day, 365 days a year for emergencies. It is helpful if you can call us so that we may prepare for your arrival. Please let us know if you would like assistance transporting your pet from the car to the hospital.

• Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?

  We will provide a good-faith estimate of the cost of our services before pet treatment, however, unforeseen circumstances may arise that influence 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 before any further treatment.

• Will my pet's surgery be done the same day as the consultation?

  If your pet was fasted after midnight before the appointment, and based on the medical necessity and/or schedule of the surgeon, it may be the same day. This would be discussed with you before the appointment.

• What procedures require my pet to fast after midnight?

  Please do not feed your pet after midnight for the following procedures:

  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • CT scan
  • Endoscopy
  • Surgical consultations – if there is the potential for the surgery to be performed on the same day
  • Any surgical procedure
  • Any procedure requiring sedation (feeding tube placement, bone marrow aspirate)
• 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 further hospitalization, diagnostics, or surgery, a deposit is required upfront with payment in full due when your pet is discharged.

• What are the fees associated with an emergency visit?

  A deposit payment is required for all emergency examinations. Once the staff and doctors examine your pet, an estimate for treatment will be given to you to determine a treatment plan.

  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.