To schedule appointments or ask a question, please call 713-693-1111 or email us at info@gcvs.com or exotics@gcvs.com.
Please fill out the Client Information and Patient Information forms prior to your appointment to minimize your wait time at the clinic. Please make sure to list your regular veterinarian (if applicable) so that we can request your pet’s medical record so we can properly prepare for your pet’s visit.
If your pet is being dropped off for a procedure, your pet should be dropped off between 8:00 and 9:00 am unless otherwise pre-arranged. When dropping off your pet, please fill out the Patient Information Form. Please fill in why your pet is being dropped off for the day and list any specific concerns you would like for us to address. Make sure to list all medications your pet is taking and if you are leaving food and/or medication for us to administer during their stay. It is imperative that you leave a phone number and/or email address where we can reach you to discuss your pet’s case. In some cases, some patients are hospitalized at least one night following a procedure in order to be monitored for progress. Client/patient services staff member will admit your pet the morning of surgery. If you have additional questions for the doctor, please let us know prior to admission.
We will make every effort to contact you after a procedure. It is important to note that even though your pet will be admitted in the morning, it does not necessarily mean that their procedure will be performed in the morning. The morning admission time allows the doctors and staff to prepare for your pet’s needs. The staff at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists is here not only to provide patient care, but also to act as a liaison between you, your pet, and the doctor. Please let them know if you have questions or concerns so they can help. We are a 24-hour patient care facility.
We understand the anxiety that comes with having a pet hospitalized. Our staff members provide daily updates after 10:00 am, which allows time for the doctor to evaluate your pet’s progress and review his/her lab work. Given our desire to focus our efforts on patient care, after-hours updates are typically only on an as-needed basis
Someone from our team will contact you to set up a pick up time when your pet is ready to go home. Discharges are to be completed by 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. A client service staff member or doctor will go over any discharge instructions with you and address any questions you may have. If a recheck appointment is needed, we recommend scheduling the appointment before leaving. Please do not hesitate to call or email with questions or concerns. Additionally, we welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can improve our care for you and your pet.
Hospital telephone hours are:
Please Note: Due to the high volume of calls that our doctors receive, many calls are returned after the hospital closes. For this reason, please leave the daytime and evening telephone numbers where you may be reached. The doctors may have their trained technicians handle some calls in order to get back to you in the shortest possible time. It is very helpful to us if we only communicate with one family member.
We know how difficult it is for you to leave your pet if hospitalization is required. If your pet needs to stay in the hospital for more than two (2) days, you are welcome to schedule a visit. Visitation must be scheduled in advance. Special arrangements may be made for critically ill patients. Please keep in mind that some pets become very excited or disappointed after you leave. For this reason, visiting is not necessarily the best thing for your pet, but your doctor will be happy to discuss this with you.
Our Avian & Exotics department sees emergencies through the day during business hours as well as provides an after-hours on-call emergency service specifically for exotic pets through our emergency clinic. Please be aware that the on-call exotics doctor is not in the building after business hours, so it is advisable to call first before heading in to minimize any delay in getting your pet treated.
