512-671-6252

In order for us to provide the best quality medicine, the Animal Emergency Clinic of Central Texas strives to see patients based on a triage system.  This is a system of classifying patients according to the urgency of their condition (just like a human emergency room).  We do try to see patients on a first come, first serve basis, however we do not take appointments and the volume of patients can vary.  Patients that are more critical will take priority over patients that are more stable. 

Your visit will begin at the reception counter where we will ask you to fill out a brief sign-in sheet so that we may enter your medical records into our database.  The more critical patients will be triaged directly to a veterinarian, while more stable patients will be triaged to an exam room.  After being triaged into a room, a technician will come into the exam room and take your pet's vital infomation, including a brief medical history, temperature, pulse, respirations, as well as monitoring your pet's general demeanor/attitude.  Next, the veterinarian will come in and perform a comprehensive physical exam, discuss detailed medical history, diagnostic and treatment options.

After the examination, the veterinarian will discuss treatment and diagnostic options and prepare an estimate for the cost of the recommended plan.  A deposit is required before we may begin any treatments, if your pet is going to be left at the clinic for any length of time.  An estimate of the total services will be given at the initial visit.  Additional treatments, diagnostic tests or procedures maybe become necessary based on your pets initial response to treatment, therefore additional fees may be incurred that go beyond your initial estimate.  Every effort will be made to contact you should a change in treatment become necessary.  Additional payments may be required depending on your pet's medical status and the balance is due in full when your pet is discharged. 

Although our fees are higher than your regular veterinarian, and most emergencies occur during inoppertune times, our charges are commensurate with other emergency and critical care facilities in our community.  This increase in price is due to our highly trained professional staff available 24 hours a day, in-house emergency equipment and an inventory to meet ALL of our patients emergency and critical care needs.  You are encouraged to discuss any questions you have about the expenses with the veterinarian on duty. 

We currently accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Debit & cash.  Personal checks may also be accepted with a valid state issued ID.  However, we do NOT accept temporary checks, cashiers checks, credit card checks, money orders, third party checks, payroll checks or business checks or payment over the phone. 

We also offer an alternative form of payment called Care Credit. This requires you to fill out an application that can be done on either their website or at our clinic. If approved you will be given an immediate line of credit that can be applied to your medical expenses.

You are welcome to call for an update on your pet's progress or to ask any questions that you may have.  We do ask that you designate one family member as a point of contact when calling the hospital for a status report.  Additionally, we ask that you limit calls for updates to TWICE a day during the weekend, due to the number and intensity of emergency medical cases.  The veterinarian will call you if your pet requires additional treatment or if your pet's condition changes and usually at the end of their shift to give you an update. 

Visitation of your hospitalized animal is encouraged.  However, because all of our patients are in an intensive care environment, we ask that you limit your visits to no more than two people for a maximum of 15 minutes TWICE a day.  It is highly recommended that you call the hospital prior to visiting.  Please understand that there may be times that we are unable to accommodate visitors in the treatment area. 

Children must remain under adult supervision at all times.  For their protection, please do not allow them to roam the hospital unattended, pet or interact with other animals or to place their fingers in other patients' cages.

Appropriate bedding will be provided to all pets in the hospital.  If you wish to leave personal items, you may do so with the understanding that they may not be returned due to items getting lost in laundry, etc.  For this reason please do not leave items with great sentimental value.