Your Appointment

WELCOME

You are an important part of the care team for your animal. We will fully inform you about the condition, treatment options and recommendations, prognosis, and charges for your animal’s care so you can make the decision that’s right for you. Download our client handout.

About Your Appointment

On your first visit to the hospital, we will ask you to provide information about yourself and your animal prior to your appointment time (please arrive a few minutes early). Animals are registered in the name of the owner. Large animal owners should check in prior to unloading animals. See directions and parking information.

Restraining Your Animal
For the safety and wellness of our staff, clients, and patients, we ask that all pets be kept on a leash or in a carrier. Please keep in mind some patients are not feeling well and do not want to socialize.

Your Care Team
As a teaching hospital, we are staffed by veterinarian faculty, residents and interns, certified veterinary technicians, and students completing a veterinary degree. Initially, your animal will be examined by a senior veterinary student. After the examination is complete, the student will discuss the examination findings with the veterinarian on duty, who will then examine your animal again and discuss with you what tests/treatments will be best for your animal. While we try to keep this process efficient, please expect your appointment to run longer than a typical veterinarian visit. Please inform a staff member if you feel you have been waiting too long.

Michelle Borsdorf holding a parrot
  • VETERINARIANS
    • A board-certified veterinarian is a veterinarian who has completed both an internship and residency in a specialized area of veterinary medicine. These faculty members have completed a rigorous post-graduate certification process recognized by a specific specialty organization. A board-certified veterinarian directly supervises residents and interns.
  • RESIDENTS & INTERNS
    • A resident is a veterinarian who has completed an internship and is currently training to become a specialist in their field. Residents are highly involved in patient care, communicating with you and your veterinarians, and teaching veterinary students.
    • An intern is a veterinarian who is completing a one-year clinical experience in their chosen specialty area.
  • STUDENTS
    • Clinical experience is a vital part of the education of future veterinarians. As a part of our curriculum, our veterinary students are observing and interacting in the hospital throughout the school year. Each student is closely supervised by a faculty member to ensure the high-quality care and wellness of our patients.
  • CERTIFIED VETERINARY TECHNICIANS (CVTs)
    • CVTs are veterinary technicians who have completed a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and passed an examination prescribed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Similar to human nurses, CVTs are integral in patient care and assisting with medical procedures.

Discharge
If your animal’s treatment requires a stay (hours or days) at our hospital, one of our veterinarians will make arrangements with you when your animal is ready to be discharged.

Full payment for services is due at discharge. Patients being admitted for overnight care will require the full amount of the low end estimate –OR– half of the high end of the estimate, whichever amount is greater. Payment can be made with cash, by check, or with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, CareCredit).

Around Town
Looking for something to do while you wait?  The Champaign Visitors Bureau has great resources and maps to help you find your way.

Smoke-Free Campus
As of January 1, 2014, smoking is prohibited on all campus property at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This includes the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, both indoors and outdoors, in university-owned vehicles and in privately-owned vehicles parked on campus property. Littering the remains of tobacco products or any other related waste product on campus property is further prohibited.

Visiting Your Animal

If your animal is hospitalized, please contact the clinical staff to arrange a visit. We recognize the importance of your bond with your animal but want to be sure that the visit does not interfere with the treatment your animal is receiving. At times, our staff may advise against a visit or put limits on your visit.

Medical Records

Our hospital will maintain a medical record for your animal that documents all veterinary services performed at our hospital. If you designate a referring veterinarian, a letter will automatically be sent to notify your veterinarian of the care your animal received at our hospital following each visit/hospital stay.

As the animal “owner of record” you may request a copy of your animal’s records by phone or email. Basic medical records are provided free of charge.

  • Small Animal Clinic Medical Records: (217) 333-5363
  • Large Animal Clinic Medical Records: (217) 333-8100
  • Email: medrec@vetmed.illinois.edu

Original records are the property of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Your Privacy

We care deeply about your privacy and our relationship with you. Your personal information will not be shared with an outside organization without your approval. To request a copy of your patient’s record be shared with another clinic or for your personal files, please ask one of our client services representatives at (217) 333-5300 or call medical records directly at (217) 333-5363.