IMPORTANT: Please note that the answers
to these questions reflect the policies of the Anne Arundel Veterinary
Emergency Clinic, Inc. Other
member companies of the
What are our hours of operation?
AAVEC is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you have a
problem with your pet, please come in immediately or call a Client
Service Team Member at
410-224-0331 to
discuss your pet's condition if you are unsure if your pet requires
immediate attention.
Is there always a doctor on staff?
Yes. There is always at least one licensed veterinarian on staff 24
hours a day. At most times, we will have two to three licensed
veterinarians available to treat patients.
What should I bring with me?
You only need to bring your pet, his or her leash and/or carrier,
his or her medical records (if time permits), and an accepted form of
payment. AAVEC accepts cash, personal checks (which must have the
client's name pre-printed on the check, and all checks must be validated
with our electronic check processing system), debit cards, MasterCard,
VISA, American Express, Discover, and CareCredit.
How much does a visit to AAVEC cost?
Of course, this depends on the type and extent of treatment your
pet receives. All AAVEC clients are charged an emergency fee and exam
fee totaling $160. Any treatment will exceed this amount. Client Service
Team Members are unable to provide estimates for treatment over the
telephone. Only a licensed veterinarian will be able to devise a
treatment plan for your pet after a thorough medical examination. At
that time, the veterinarian or Client Service Team Member will discuss
the projected cost with you.
What should I expect when I arrive?
When you arrive, bring your pet inside and a Client Service Team
Member will greet you and assess your pet's condition. If your pet
presents in critical condition, you will be asked to sign an
acknowledgment to consent to triage so that our veterinarians can start
stabilizing emergency procedures. If your pet presents with a
non-critical emergency, a Client Service Team Member will show you into
an examination room and have you fill out a short form while you wait
for an emergency veterinarian to examine your pet.
How long will I have to wait?
This varies. Critical cases receive first priority. In many
instances, the veterinarian will see you and your pet within 15 minutes
of your arrival. Sometimes,
especially on the weekends, you may expect to wait for 1/2 to 1 hour
(rarely longer) to be seen by the doctor for non-critical emergencies.
Whenever the doctor has made his or her assessment of your pet's health,
he or she will create an estimate and discuss treatment with you. At
that time, you may elect to leave your pet with us and return to pick
him or her up at a designated time on the same day. Many cases will
require overnight care; some even for several days or longer. Your
veterinarian will discuss this with you on a case-by-case basis.
Can I bring my pet to you for regular check-ups,
vaccines, or for purchasing food or supplies?
No. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide non-emergent care due
to the high number of emergency patients that require our full attention
and resources. We do not recommend specific regular veterinarians to
clients or the public. Please check the telephone book or the World Wide
Web for lists of licensed veterinarians nearest to you.
Can I bring my pet's toys, blankets, or other personal
objects to stay with him or her?
No. There are several reasons for this policy. The first is to
maintain a sanitary environment. We strive to ensure that our patients'
environment is completely sterile. The linens we provide for your pet
are treated to ensure sterility and outside objects could compromise
that environment. Rest assured that we have plenty of linens, beds, and
toy items to keep your pet comfortable and entertained. Depending upon
your pet's diet or medical condition, your emergency veterinarian may
request that you bring his or her food and/or medication in order to
save your expense.
Can I call for updates on my pet's medical condition
while he or she is in the hospital?
Yes. You must call once every 24 hours for an update on your pet's
condition. You may call for updates anytime day or night; however,
excessive phone calls may interrupt the veterinarians’ treatment of your
pet and others. You may be asked to leave a message if he or she is
unavailable and he or she will return your call. Since we are a 24-hour
facility, please indicate to a Client Service Team Member any time
during which you wish not to be contacted.
Can I visit my pet in the hospital?
Yes. AAVEC does not have restricted visiting hours. It is advisable
to call before you arrive to ensure that your pet is not currently
receiving treatment that would preclude your visit. Due to the nature of
our business, we may not be able to immediately accommodate your visit
at the moment you arrive. This is because we are continually treating
emergency cases, and your veterinarian or veterinary technician may be
temporarily unavailable to visit with you. Please be patient when you
arrive and we will allow your visit as soon as we can.
Must I have follow-up care performed at AAVEC?
No. In some cases, the veterinarian will arrange for you to return
for follow-up treatment; however, like the human ER, our ultimate goal
is to perform emergency care and allow you to follow up with your
regular veterinarian who is more familiar with your pet's medical
history and can track his or her improvement long-term. Regular
veterinarians keep the lines of communication open with our emergency
veterinarians to ensure that your pet progresses well once he or she is
discharged from AAVEC.
Do you have other questions?
Please contact a Client Service Representative at
410-224-0331, 24 hours a day, to discuss
your questions.
