Frequently Asked Questions

What is a veterinary specialist?

A board-certified veterinary specialist has completed up to 12 years of college education and training. PetWatch has numerous board-certified specialists on staff at each of our locations in New York and in Maryland. Each has graduated from a four-year veterinary program and then has gone on to complete an additional four years of training in an internship and residency program. To become board-certified, these candidates must also pass rigorous training and testing requirements.

Why would my pet need to go to Greenbriar Veterinary and Emergency Referral Hospital?

Your primary care veterinarian will refer you and your pet to our hospital if your pet requires specific testing, treatments or procedures that he/she do not currently offer.  In addition to the highly experienced medical staff, Greenbriar also has state-of-the-art, highly specialized equipment including ultrasonography, endoscopy and availability to CT scan imaging and MRI.

Can Greenbriar Veterinary and Emergency Referral Hospital be my regular veterinary clinic?

No, our practice only provides specialty and emergency services. To most effectively manage your pet's health, Greenbriar Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital works directly with your regular veterinarian on a referral basis. Referrals make it easier for the Greenbriar team to coordinate the most comprehensive level of care for your pet.

How do I get a referral?

If you have a health concern, please contact your primary care veterinarian. He or she will determine whether an office visit is necessary or if your pet should be referred immediately to one of our specialists. Your veterinarian will then contact us to make an appointment. Please be sure your veterinarian provides us with a copy of your pet's medical history, blood work and x-rays that have been performed. This can be sent to us by fax or given to you to bring in on the day of your appointment.

If your pet's condition is an emergency, our 24 hour team of emergency doctors is available 365 days a year.  With any urgent medical need, an appointment is not required to be seen through the emergency room and cases will be evaluated by a doctor in order of arrival.  Cases which need medical attention immediately will take priority over animals that are more stable.

How do I know if it’s an emergency?

This is actually a very common question.  As a general rule, ALWAYS call if you are not sure if your pet needs to be seen urgently or if it can wait to make an appointment.  To give you some guidelines, we have included some common problems which should prompt a visit to our emergency room.

Respiratory distress

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Abnormally noisy breathing
  • Blue tongue or gum color
  • Increased breathing effort

Trauma

  • Motor vehicle trauma
  • Falling from a height
  • Penetrating wounds

Urinary abnormalities

  • Inability to void urine

Lameness

  • If the animal is still placing weight on the leg, most cases can wait to make an appointment
  • If the animal has not been supporting any weight, it could be representative of a condition which should be seen.

Toxin exposure

  • If you are unsure if a substance is toxic, call Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
    • Toxicologists are available 24 hours every day.
    • This is one of the first references an emergency doctor will use so write down your case number provided to you.
    • A $60 fee is applied to your credit card but it may save you a trip to the emergency room.  If your pet needs medical attention, you will not be recharged this fee when the emergency doctor consults with the toxicologist.
  • The following is a partial list of toxins that are commonly encountered:
    • Antifreeze
    • Rodenticide (rat poison)
    • Tylenol and other pain medications
    • Chocolate and Caffeine
    • Anti-depressants
    • Toxic Plants
      • Marijuana
      • Sago Palm
      • Lilies
      • Tulip
      • Azalea/Rhododendron
      • Oleander
      • Castor Bean
      • Cyclamen
      • Yew
      • Foxglove
    • Paintballs
    • Bread dough
    • Pennies
    • Sugar-free gum
    • Grapes and raisins
  • Abnormal bleeding
  • Weakness or collapse
  • Abdominal distention
  • Difficulties giving birth
    • If:
      • No puppies 24 hours after rectal temperature drops below 100oF
      • Longer than 60 minutes of active labor without birth
      • Longer than 3-4 hours in between deliveries
      • Longer than 24 hours to deliver entire litter
      • Evidence of pain or weakness during birth
      • Excessive vaginal hemorrhage or discharge
  • Seizures or tremors
  • Loss of balance
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Eye abnormalities

If your pet needs to be hospitalized:

When will I receive updates from the doctors?

When the attending veterinarian arrives in the morning, they will hold a meeting, “medical rounds,” with the doctors and nurses from the previous shift.  During this meeting, each case will be individually reviewed, physical exams will be performed and a plan for your pet will be developed.  This process ensures that each pet receives continuous care of the highest quality. After making sure that the care of your pet is attended to, they will call you with an update, the results of any tests performed and their daily recommendations.  In most cases, doctors are able to make all of their phone calls by noon.

Will my veterinarian be updated?

The partnership between you, your veterinarian and our medical team is essential and helps ensure the most comprehensive care possible for your pet. Our team of doctors keeps both you and your veterinarian updated as to your pet's condition.

Can I visit?

Absolutely.  We encourage those pet owners who wish to visit, to let the attending doctor know when they call you with their daily update.  Typical visiting hours Monday – Friday are between 4-6pm.  This is a time period when your pet is not scheduled for lots of treatments.  Visiting hours on Saturday and Sunday are between 1-3pm.  However we think that you should always have the chance to visit your pet so if these times don’t work with you and your family please call and one of our medical team liaisons can assist you with setting up a time to come and visit.

How much will it cost?

Greenbriar Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital is committed to providing quality care to our clients at the most reasonable cost possible. As a premier regional medical center Greenbriar Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital relies upon the experience and knowledge of our highly skilled, board-certified veterinary specialists, veterinarians and large number of technicians who harness the advantages of the most technologically advanced medical equipment available. Additionally, Greenbriar Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital is staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week by experienced, compassionate professionals who care about your pet and who are constantly monitoring your pet's condition.

The expenses relating to specialized medical care are often a significant concern for families. We understand and try, whenever possible, to provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost of care for your pet.

Due to the technical nature of some conditions, however, it is not always possible to precisely predict the outcome and associated costs. Before treatment begins, the Greenbriar Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital medical team will provide you with a recommended treatment plan and expense summary. You will be asked to sign this estimate.

If significant variation from the treatment plan summary occurs (>20%), you will be apprised of the additional cost before any additional measures are implemented. If you have any concerns regarding cost, please discuss these with your Greenbriar doctor or technician before treatment begins to ensure that staff members have a clear understanding of your wishes.

Payment for services is expected at the time of discharge. A deposit will be required if your pet is staying at the hospital for evaluation or treatments.

Greenbriar Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and CareCredit, a medical finance plan. For information on CareCredit, please see the Greenbriar reception team or log onto: carecredit.com.

Why does it seem that I spend more on my pet’s medical care than on my own?

One of the major differences between human medicine and veterinary medicine is the prevalence of insurance in human medicine. Veterinary medicine is as real and as skilled as human medicine. The difference? The method of payment, which makes veterinary fees appear much higher. People have insurance that covers a large majority of the expense of testing and only endure a small co-pay while pet owners pay the full amount for each procedure. But when comparing the same procedures, veterinary medicine produces much lower care costs. Where else could you pay $250 for a hysterectomy (spay) and get a skilled surgeon, skilled nursing care, a sterile operating room, anesthesia, pain medication, hospitalization, and post operative care? To help defray the costs of caring for your pet, you may want to ask your veterinarian about pet health insurance.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the procedure of ending an animal's life, in a painless way, for humane reasons, typically to end suffering from illness or infirmity.

The decision to "put your animal down" can be the hardest decision any owner will make. When faced with this prospect, the owner will want to weigh a number of things. Of course, the staff at Greenbriar Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital will help you clarify your choices and make sure you are fully informed about all aspects of this decision. We'll provide a comfortable, unpressured environment in which you can make this choice. If you make the decision to euthanize, we will ensure a respectful compassionate process that allows a pet to pass on with dignity and a minimum of suffering.

What should I expect if I elect euthanasia?

Euthanasia is the pain-free process of administering an anesthetic overdose.  An IV catheter is placed to ensure a way of administering the medication with the least amount of stress to the animal.  The catheter will be placed in treatment room, but once in place, you can take as much time as you would like in a quiet room.  Some family members prefer to be present during the euthanasia process and some owners do not wish to be present, the decision is entirely yours and there is no right or wrong decision.  After euthanasia, you can stay with your pet as long as you would like to say your final goodbyes.

If I stay with my pet, what is the euthanasia process?

The doctor only needs access to the IV catheter.  This means you can continue to hold, comfort and talk to your pet.  The euthanasia solution itself is a pink solution which stops the heart and brain immediately.  This is a very fast and non-painful process.  Unlike what you may see in movies or on TV, dogs and cats do not close their eyes after death.  In some instances, the animal may urinate, defecate or give a final breath.  Although it may appear life-like to some, it is only the oxygen being released from these muscles after death and is actually a sign that they have passed.  We will always be available to gently walk you through this difficult process.  We can also provide additional resources commonly used by grieving families.

What happens to my pet after it is euthanized?

There are several choices as to what to do with the remains of your beloved animal.  Some owners elect to take the pet home for a private burial.  Other options include a communal cremation or a private cremation where the ashes of your pet are returned to the family.