We will be happy to see your pet when his/her skin, ears, coat or nails are in any condition or when he/she is on any medications for any skin, ear, hair or nail problem. However, certain factors may affect our ability to fully assess your pet. Thus the following is requested:

Please do not feed your pet after midnight the night before your pet's appointment; water is OK.

Please do not bathe your pet for at least 3-4 days before your pet's appointment.

Please do not apply any topical medications to your pet's skin for at least 24-48 hours prior to your pet's appointment. Do not put ear medications or flushes in your pets’ ears the morning of your appointment.

Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment time as there is quite a bit of paperwork to be filled out. You may complete some of the paperwork prior to the appointment by downloading the forms from our web site under Forms.

The first appointment is 1 hour in length. Thus, in order to provide the best care and in order to obtain a complete dermatologic history and examination, we will require your presence for 1-2 hours. In addition, you should plan on having your pet stay with us for several hours more, at least at the initial evaluation. This is so that we may perform the appropriate diagnostics and write a report. Most people like this so that they can go to work or do errands and then pick up their pets later that day. We will work with you and your schedule as best as possible.

Please make a list of or bring any medications, nutritional supplements, and topical therapies that are currently being used or have been used in the past on your pet. This helps us to help your pet so that we know what "pink pill" your pet is/was receiving. Also know the diet your pet is being fed. Please do not rely on medical records for this sort of information. We request that, if possible, you bring a copy of your pet's medical records from your veterinarian for us to keep or have your veterinarian fax the records to us (attn: Dermatology). We have a direct fax #; it is 303-874-3203. It is always best to be over-prepared for your pet's appointment.

If your are interested in intradermal allergy testing for your allergic pet, please see “allergy test preparation” under dermatology--services.

All home care instructions are written up for your convenience.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Messinger, Dr. Strauss or their technicians if you have any questions, concerns or comments. Remember, the dermatology department is available Mondays through Fridays. However, you may call the VRCC 24 hours a day 7 days a week and speak with someone. We have a terrific emergency service that will help answer questions when dermatology is unavailable.

A fax and/or letter will be sent to your veterinarian within 24-48 hours of your pet's appointment. Please return to your pet's regular veterinarian for all routine care. We do not take the place of your pet's primary care provider.

The fees for services are usual and customary for the specialized service rendered. If intensive diagnostic, therapeutic or surgical intervention is needed, an estimate will be given. Fees are payable in full at the time of release/discharge. Payment may be made by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.