Various fully qualified and registered veterinary specialists and registered veterinarians with special interests practice independently at the Centre to offer advanced diagnostic and treatment options. These include the registered veterinary specialist clinics of internal medicine and dentistry and the special interest clinics of homoeopathy and acupuncture as well as ophthalmology.
What is a specialist?
After qualification as a veterinarian, the veterinary specialist spends an additional period, usually 4 years, to study and train as a specialist. This will comprise academic studying of various subjects to postgraduate level, technical and practical training, numerous exams as well as research and publication of a thesis and academic articles, before being considered to register as a specialist in his particular field of study with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). At the Cape Animal Medical Centre, the registered veterinary specialists Dr Malan van Zyl (specialist physician/internal medicine), Dr Tanya Schoeman (specialist physician/internal medicine) and Dr Cedric Tutt (dentistry and orofacial surgery) provide referral services to you and your veterinarian. Patients from all over the greater Western Cape and as far as Namibia are referred for investigation and treatment.
Veterinarians with special interests are fully qualified veterinarians who have pursued further study in a particular field of interest and also provide referral services in that field of interest. Dr Barry Hindmarch provides a holistic treatment approach with acupuncture, homoeopathy and Chinese medicine while Dr Kim Tutt provides advanced diagnostics and treatment of eye problems.
When should a specialist be consulted?
The specialist is trained and equipped to handle advanced diagnostic procedures and treatments which your regular veterinarian may not have access to. If your pet suffers from a condition that has not adequately responded to treatment or has a condition which has not been accurately diagnosed, it is time to request referral to a specialist. It is always best to do this in conjunction with your veterinarian, although you may also contact us directly yourself. It is best not to leave a condition too long before presentation to the specialist. The earlier the presentation, the greater the chance of treatment success and the less costly treatment will be.
How do I prepare for a visit to the specialist?
It is essential to bring along any historical information and test results as well as x-rays, blood tests, etc., to avoid duplication of tests, streamline investigation and to ensure that complete information is available to the specialist to allow him to come to an accurate diagnosis. Please phone reception and make an appointment with a specialist. Alternatively, patients can be dropped off at night or in the morning for investigation by the specialist. The veterinary nurse will then assist in obtaining an accurate history. On the morning of the visit, do not give your pet any breakfast as many tests require an empty stomach for best and accurate results and to avoid delays. You may allow water throughout the night. While some procedures can be performed at the time of your visit and even with you present, some procedures require longer time and will be performed later in the day after the consultation. Most patients presented for investigation will be discharged again on the same day.
Does it cost more than my regular veterinarian?
Just as in the human medical field, specialists’ fees are higher. They have spent several years longer in training, are more extensively equipped than regular veterinarians and are supported by qualified veterinary nurses, all contributing to higher fees. However, typically the specialist will investigate more efficiently and avoid unnecessary tests, getting to the answer in a more direct way, avoiding repetitive inefficient treatments or non-essential tests. Unnecessary surgery can also be avoided. This saves money and stress or discomfort on the patient. Treatment and care is also more intensive and complex and therefore more expensive and intensive care is continued 24-hours a day.
Estimates can be provided for specific investigations, however it is near impossible to provide estimates for treatment of a critically sick patient as circumstances and requirements can change by the hour. Regular updates of costs can be provided. Please discuss cost concerns with the clinician or nurse so we understand your wishes before treatment or investigation begins.
We may request a deposit to be paid and full payment for services is due at the time of discharge. We accept cash, cheques and most debit and credit cards. Pet medical aid is now available in South Africa and can go a very long way towards carrying the cost of investigation and treatment.
Contact us for details of pet medical insurance.