What to expect At Remedy Veterinary Specialists
Visiting a veterinary specialist often means your pet isn’t feeling well and you’re looking for answers. We understand how emotional and overwhelming that can be.
From the moment you arrive at our specialty veterinary hospital in San Francisco’s SoMa or log in for a telemedicine consult, our team is here to provide expert care, clear communication, and thoughtful support for both you and your pet.
Use our chatbot in the bottom right corner to schedule an appointment or reach out to us with questions.
Prefer to call? (415) 967-3303
Before Your Visit
We’ll contact the referring hospitals you listed to request your pet’s veterinary medical records, so you don’t have to.
If your pet has visited any other hospitals since your initial request, just let us know and we’ll reach out to them as well. You may also receive an intake questionnaire to help us prepare for the care your pet is scheduled to receive.
What to do The Morning of Your appointment
Step 1
Skip breakfast (unless we say otherwise)
An empty stomach helps prepare your pet for possible same-day diagnostics. A small treat is fine if your pet needs medication.
Step 2
Bring all medication & supplements
Please include everything your pet is currently taking, both prescription and over-the-counter.
Step 3
Make sure a decision-maker is reachable
If the primary caregiver can’t attend, we can loop them in by phone. If a more in-depth discussion is needed, we may recommend a telemedicine appointment (additional fees may apply).
Giving Pain Medications or Sedatives Before Your Visit
Please continue prescribed pain medications or sedatives as directed. Your pet’s comfort and safety are important to us. These medications will not interfere with a thorough exam or accurate testing.
Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early
If your pet needs help getting out of the car or you're using the nearby parking garage, a little extra time can make a big difference. Arriving early gives you time to park, walk over, and settle in without added stress.
Running late? We’ll do our best to accommodate your pet but may need to adjust the scope of the appointment.
Hospital Drop-Off
A designated patient drop-off area is located directly in front of the hospital. After drop-off, please allow up to 15 minutes to secure street or garage parking and walk to the hospital’s entrance.
Parking
The closest parking garage is Propark SOMA Hub Garage, one block from Remedy on 12th Street.
What Happens When You Arrive at Remedy
A member of the Remedy team will meet with you to hear what’s been going on and answer any initial questions. After a full physical exam, your specialist will explain possible causes, outline recommended diagnostic tests, and talk through next steps together.
Before moving forward with any diagnostics or treatments, you’ll receive a clear, itemized estimate and have time to ask questions so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Need help carrying in your pet? Just give us a call: (415) 967-3303.
Will Testing Happen the Same Day?
We do our best to perform testing the same day whenever possible, especially when your pet arrives prepared. In some cases, our team may need to prioritize patients based on medical urgency.
If an emergency requires immediate attention, your pet’s testing may be scheduled for a different day. If that happens, we’ll communicate clearly and keep you informed every step of the way.
How long will your pet be at Remedy?
Many pets stay with us for several hours when undergoing diagnostics or treatment. If sedation is used, it’s normal for pets to feel drowsy afterward.
We’ll keep you informed throughout the day and send you home with clear care instructions so you know exactly what to expect during your pet’s recovery.
When to Pick Up Your Pet
Please plan to pick up your pet by 5 pm on the day of your visit. This gives us time to walk through the day’s findings together, answer questions, and ensure you feel confident heading home.
Getting Your Pet’s Test Results
Some results will be available the same day, and we’ll review those with you before you leave. Other results may take longer if they require interpretation from off-site specialists.
Once all results are complete, we’ll reach out by video or phone to review everything together, answer any questions, and make a clear plan for next steps.
Does Remedy Offer Telemedicine?
Yes, Remedy offers telemedicine.
Telemedicine is available for follow-up visits, reviewing test results, and ongoing care when appropriate.
We also offer limited initial consultations via telemedicine for pets whose only symptom is seizures, as well as pets referred for surgery by a board-certified veterinary neurologist.
Use our chatbot in the bottom right corner to schedule an appointment or reach out with questions.
Prefer to call? (415) 967-3303
General visit FAQs
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In the week leading up to your visit, we’ll be reaching out to the hospitals you listed to gather your pet’s medical records. If your pet has visited any new hospitals since you submitted your appointment request, please let us know. We’re happy to contact them as well. We may also send you an intake questionnaire to help us prepare for the service your pet is scheduled to receive. The more we know ahead of time, the better we can prepare for your pet’s visit.
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Please don’t feed your pet breakfast, as an empty stomach helps us prepare for possible same-day diagnostics. If needed, a small bite of food is OK when giving medications. Please bring all current medications with you, including supplements.
It’s important that the primary caregiver and decision-makers are available during the appointment. If someone can’t attend in person, we’re happy to include them by phone. If they’re unavailable and would like a detailed review afterward, we may recommend scheduling a telemedicine consultation, which may involve a separate fee.
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Yes, please do. Your pet’s comfort and safety are our top priorities. In most cases, we can still perform a thorough exam and interpret diagnostics accurately, even if your pet has already received these medications.
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At your initial visit, a member of our veterinary team will meet with you to discuss what’s been going on, and your provider will perform a physical exam. The provider will examine your pet, discuss possible causes for their symptoms, and recommend any necessary diagnostic testing. We’ll go over an itemized estimate with you and answer any questions you have.
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Often, yes. We strive to perform diagnostics the same day when possible, especially if your pet is already here and prepared (which is why we ask that pets not eat the morning of their appointment when possible). However, because we must attend to the sickest patients first, we can’t guarantee same-day availability. We appreciate your understanding—emergencies are unpredictable, but we treat every case with urgency and care.
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If your pet stays for diagnostics or treatment, they will be with us for several hours. Our team will keep you updated throughout the day. If sedation is required, your pet may be sleepy afterward. We’ll give you detailed instructions for care at home and let you know what to watch for during recovery.
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We ask that all pets be picked up by 5 pm the day of their visit. This gives our team time to review results and care instructions with you.
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Some test results will be available the same day, and we’ll review them with you before you leave. Other results, such as lab work or imaging interpretations, may require input from off-site specialists and take additional time. Once all results are available, we’ll schedule a complimentary telemedicine follow-up to review everything in detail and discuss next steps.
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Yes. We offer telemedicine consultations for follow-up appointments, reviewing test results, and ongoing care when appropriate. Telemedicine is a convenient way to stay connected with our team and ensure your pet receives continuous care without the stress of another trip.
We also offer limited initial consultations via telemedicine for pets whose only symptom is seizures or for pets who have already been seen by another board-certified veterinary neurologist and are being referred for surgery.