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What should I bring to the appointment?
Please bring copies of your animal's medical records and any recent test results and vaccination records from your veterinarian's office to help us better understand your animal's medical condition. We require proof of the rabies vaccine. If your animal is currently taking any medications, please bring a list of those as well.
We require that all dogs be on a leash in our entrance and reception area. We require that cats and small exotic pets are placed in a carrier. This is for the safety of your pet and creates a calmer environment for all patients waiting to be seen.
Often, your pet will be at our hospital for the entire day, so please bring anything that will make your own visit more pleasant such as reading materials and snack foods. We do have a full service cafeteria on site that is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Who will I see at my appointment? Will I see the same veterinarian on future visits?
e use a teamwork approach to treating our patients, which ensures that your animal receives outstanding, thorough care. A licensed veterinary technician (LVT) or a veterinary student will greet you. LVTs have completed a two-year animal health college curriculum and are licensed by the state of New York. Our veterinary students have graduated from four-year colleges and are in the midst of an additional four years of medical education while in training to become DVMs, or Doctors of Veterinary Medicine.
The LVT or student will weigh your animal and obtain a brief history, then escort you to an examination room where the student may conduct the initial examination. After the initial examination, the student may excuse herself or himself to discuss the initial examination results with the attending veterinarian. The attending veterinarian is either a faculty member of our college or a veterinary resident or intern. Residents are experienced veterinarians who are taking two to four years of additional training in a specialty of veterinary care, much like residents in human medicine. Interns are veterinarians who are taking one additional year of training in small animal care. Residents and interns have undergone a competitive process to be chosen to work at Cornell’s Companion Animal Hospital. The faculty member who is ultimately responsible for your animal’s care is an expert in your animal’s problem and is closely involved in your case.
Be assured the veterinarian is always very much involved in your animal’s care and is in close communication with the students seeing your animal. We encourage our students to communicate directly with you, as this is part of their educational process. Keep in mind that you may ask to talk with the attending veterinarian or faculty veterinarian at any time of your visit, so please do not hesitate to ask.
What happens if my pet needs to be hospitalized?
Your pet may be admitted to the hospital immediately following your appointment for a diagnostic procedure or treatment. If your pet is admitted by our Emergency Service, your animal will be transferred to the applicable specialty service within 24 to 48 hours and will be seen by a different veterinarian. Every case is thoroughly reviewed upon transfer to ensure excellent patient care and an outstanding educational experience for our students.
Patient-care staff is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Intensive Care Unit and the Intermediate Nursing Care Unit, where animals are monitored continuously and as specified by the doctor.
How often will I receive updates during my pet’s hospitalization?
If your animal is admitted, be sure to ask what time of day you will be called to receive an update on your animal's condition.
After any procedures or if there is a significant change in your animal's conditions, a veterinarian will contact you directly.
In addition, a veterinary student or technician will contact you twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening - to give you an update on your pet's condition. Our hospital is a busy place and your animal's care is our first concern. If you haven't heard from us, it is likely because our doctors and staff are busy caring for patients and your animal's condition is either stable or unchanged.
To leave a message for the student or veterinarian involved in your animal's care, call 607.253.3060. If you have e-mail, you may send a message that will be given to the student or veterinarian by e-mailing us at: vet-hosp@cornell.edu
Can I schedule a time to visit my animal?
You can set up a time to visit your animal with the veterinary student on your service. We do allow children visitors, but they require close supervision by an adult.
If your pet is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit or to the Intermediate Nursing Care Unit, the visiting hours are strict for the same reasons they are in human hospital intensive care and intermediate care units. Our doctors and staff always prioritize the health and safety of the patients in the unit. If an animal requires treatment, you may be asked to leave.
Can I leave personal belongings with my animal?
We ask that you not leave any personal belongings with your hospitalized animal. Due to the number of patients we see, we can't guarantee that personal belongings are returned. Our hospital is fully equipped with everything your animal needs to ensure a comfortable stay including sheets, towels, blankets and toys.
We also have a full kitchen and Nutrition Service. We stock a wide range of commercial and prescription pet foods and can provide customized diets for animals with special needs.
Can you describe your fee structure?
When you schedule an appointment at the hospital, there will be an initial administrative and appointment fee. After your pet is examined, you will be given an estimate of the cost of the recommended treatment plan and asked to sign your permission to continue with treatment along with your guarantee to pay for the cost of care. In serious emergencies, stabilization of your animal will begin as soon as it is taken back to the Intensive Care Unit, with your verbal permission.
The cost of excellent veterinary care can be expensive, because we use much of the same equipment, drugs, and materials used in a human hospital. Please keep in mind that the veterinarians involved in your animal’s care are on salary and have no financial stake in income generated from the care of your animal. In fact, our financial goal in the Companion Animal Hospital is to simply cover our annual costs.
Care of this level, quality and sophistication can be costly. Occasionally, animal owners decide not to proceed with treatment. We will help you weigh your options, but ultimately the decision is yours.
What is your payment policy?
Outpatient visits require full payment at the time the service is rendered.
For hospital patients, a deposit of at least 50 percent of the highest estimate is expected at the time your pet is admitted, and payment of the remainder of the bill is required at discharge.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, personal checks, travelers’ checks, money orders, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Care Credit (see below).
We do not accept American Express.
Do you offer payment plans?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer payment plans.
Instead, we accept Care Credit, a healthcare credit card through Synchrony Bank that provides a credit line for treatments and procedures. This program offers a six month no interest repayment option for transactions over $200 and a 30 day no interest repayment option for transactions less than $199.99. If you require a longer time period to pay your bill, Care Credit offers other financing options as well.
For more information or apply for Care Credit, inquire at the reception desk or go to the Care Credit web site.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not participate directly with any insurance companies.
We are happy provide the necessary documentation - including assistance in filling out your claim form and providing an itemized list of charges and a discharge statement - so you can file your own insurance claim.
Do you offer financial assistance?
We do have limited patient assistance that is made available to our patients through donations. To find out if you qualify for this program, ask for an application at the discharge/billing office.
We also encourage our clients to seek out independent financial assistance organizations for veterinary care. Here is a list of several we have worked with in the past.
The Magic Bullet Fund
The Pet Fund
Paws 4 A Cure
All4PetsWNY
Friends and Vets Helping Pets
Can you describe your fee structure?
When you schedule an appointment at the hospital, there will be an initial administrative and appointment fee. After your pet is examined, you will be given an estimate of the cost of the recommended treatment plan and asked to sign your permission to continue with treatment along with your guarantee to pay for the cost of care. In serious emergencies, stabilization of your animal will begin as soon as it is taken back to the Intensive Care Unit, with your verbal permission.
The cost of excellent veterinary care can be expensive, because we use much of the same equipment, drugs, and materials used in a human hospital. Please keep in mind that the veterinarians involved in your animal’s care are on salary and have no financial stake in income generated from the care of your animal. In fact, our financial goal in the Companion Animal Hospital is to simply cover our annual costs.
Care of this level, quality and sophistication can be costly. Occasionally, animal owners decide not to proceed with treatment. We will help you weigh your options, but ultimately the decision is yours.
New York. From the corner of Tower and Campus roads, follow the sign that reads "Hospitals" and then the sign that reads "Companion Animal Hospital, Client Parking Only." The Companion Animal Hospital uses the center of the building's three entrances.