Orthopedic | Soft Tissue | Arthroscopic | Oncologic | Reconstructive | Neurologic | Cardio/Thoracic
We’re still in this together – but we need your help.
As a referral center, providing compassionate and quality care is why we are here. That said, we are now experiencing unfavorable changes in referral habits that are significantly impacting our ability to serve your clients in a timely and personalized manner. 

Specifically, we are being met with:

  • Patients being sent by referring DVMs or other ER clinics that need to be hospitalized/treated for extended amounts of time, but we are not being contacted prior to arrival at our hospital.

  • Clients being sent over from clinics an hour or more away, having been given certain expectations by their referral source. Upon arrival, they become enraged when the services they are seeking are not available, or that there will be an extended wait (ultrasounds during ER hours, surgical orthopedic cases or broken limbs that are not going to be operated as ER, neuro cases, etc.).

  • Referred clients who are not being prepared for the expected costs of the services they are seeking and that the patient may need to be hospitalized overnight before those additional services can be provided.

Like you, we are experiencing staffing challenges. We are working around the clock and remain dedicated to serving you and your clients the best we can. 
Honest and effective communication between the referring veterinarian, the client, and our team, is critical to managing clients’ expectations. Therefore, we ask that you kindly communicate with your client and us more frequently to help us all have a successful experience. 

  • To refer to AVSG After Hours, call (24/7) 949.653.9300 
  • To refer to VSS, call 949.936.0055 or use our referral form
  • To refer to AVIM, call 949.653.8246 or use our referral form
These are challenging times. We know that life has been tough the past 18 months. The veterinary industry has been turned upside down, and circumstances have required all of us to respond to clients significantly faster than our normal and preferred pace. 

We appreciate your understanding and your support. As always, I welcome a conversation with you anytime. You may reach me at [email protected] or 949.653.9300.

Rich Pankowski, DVM
On behalf of AVSG24, VSS, and AVIM
Veterinary Surgical Specialists - Operating with care.
2965 Edinger Avenue | Tustin, CA 92780 | 949.936.0055 | vssoc.com