What to Expect: New Patients

First time at South Shore Veterinary Care?

Welcome!!  How may we serve you?

Let's give you a little information about what you can expect. Being new to our practice, we can understand why you are on this page!  It is common for all of us to want a little info on what is in store for us in this transition.  Starting a relationship with a new veterinary practice is an important decision.

Preparation: One item you need to know about first off... it is very important that we have all of your pet's previous medication information.  This way we can make sure that everything is taken care of, and any special considerations are made to make we take excellent care of your four-legged family member.  Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can include this important information in your pet's new medical file.

If you don't have this information handy, don't worry. We can call the previous vet's office , pet store, or shelter and get the records for your pet after your visit.

Our client service representatives may give you telephone instructions that are related to your visit as well, such as specimen collection, withholding food for surgical procedures, and so on.

Where we are: South Shore Veterinary Care is located in Kihei, up Ohukai Road.  The landmark from the Piilani highway is the Tesoro gas station.  Turn up the hill, then take your second right past the Tesoro station, then your second left at Philmart. This brings you right into the lot, and we will be on the right hand sign.  We have a two story practice, but the second level is not visible from the parking lot.

Park anywhere you like, and come right in to the reception area...we will be waiting for you!

Intake: Our professional client service representatives will introduce themselves to you and of course, to your pet!  They will then collect your paperwork as part of your pet's medical file.  This way, our nurses and doctors can follow up on any outstanding items or flags that require attention.

Feel free to let our front staff know any questions or concerns you have right away.  Open communication is extremely important to us, so we can insure that you have the very best experience at South Shore Veterinary Care.  So please, speak up! Let us know what is happening and what you and your pet need.  This way we can continue to deliver five-star service. 

Next, our client service representatives will ask you a few questions about your pet's health at home and record these details, and will also make sure we have your contact information to keep you in the loop.  

While our client service representatives are readying your file, you will offered a seat.  Help yourself to some hot coffee or a glass of water while you wait.  We have filtered water for your pet too, so let us know if your furry family member needs a drink!  We also have some snacks for your pet on the counter, so go ahead and take a few.

If you want, take a look at our high quality pet products.  There are medicated shampoos, conditioners, dental health products like finger brushes, chews and flavored toothpaste, diets, various pet health supplements and vitamins, flea and tick control products for your pet, yard, and home, and many other handy and appealing items you might need.

One of our nurses will be waiting for a page from the front desk to come meet and greet you after the intake is complete.  Introductions will be made, and you will be welcomed to join the nurse with your pet in the examination room.  The nurse will weigh your pet and record it, as body weight changes can be an important indicator of health.

Professional Consultation and Exam: Once set up in the examination room, your pet's nurse will get to know a little more about your pet.  Don't be surprised if the nurse takes a while with you.  We pride ourselves on making sure we provide the best for pets.  Since you are your pet's spokesperson, we will take time with you to become familiar with what both you and your pet needs.  All of this information will be diligently recorded by the nurse in the medical file.

A big part of what our nurses love to do is to help give you useful information about your pet's care. They have had abundant professional training for this very purpose. Pet health is affected by diet and lifestyle at home.  Since our job is to make sure you enjoy the longest, happiest time with your furry family member, we will give you any tips or pearls you can use to make sure this happens.  We are big on handouts too, so if we get carried away with talking, don't worry- we will send you with literature (and we welcome your phone calls too, so you can always call if you have more questions)!

Next, the nurse will ask if it is okay to bring the doctor in to meet you.  She will give the doctor a detailed synopsis of all the relevant details, so when your pet's doctor arrives, he or she will already be up to speed on what is going on.

The doctor will then come in to the exam room for introductions.  At this point, the doctor will ask you a few more questions, especially if your pet has a medical or surgical issue that needs attention.  The doctor will use the information form the nurse to guide these questions.  If you don't have an exact answer, don't worry.  Just do the best you can, to the best of your ability, and let us handle the rest.  Your pet is in good hands.  Our doctors are all seasoned, skilled clinicians with a huge amount of experience to rely on, so you can relax.

A complete physical examination is the next stage.  The doctor will use the information you provided to start thinking about issues that are important to address.  The examination will fill in the details. A comprehensive, systematic approach is used to pinpoint any issues that could be affecting your pet's well being. Our doctors do a "tip to tip" (from nose to tail) examination, to be sure nothing is missed. 

Don't be surprise if there are a few abnormalities found by the doctor.  In many cases, in particular mature pets, our doctors routinely find anywhere from 3-6 different items that you will want to be made aware of.  Don't worry, this is commonplace.  Sometimes it can be a little surprising, but remember, pets age faster than people do!  Their lives are compressed compared to people, and so more issues pop up in shorter periods of time. This is one major way that veterinary medicine is different from human medicine.

The Treatment Plan: At this stage, the doctor will go over any findings with you in detail.  Perhaps there are a few health maintenance steps that are necessary, like parasite testing or a vaccination.   Maybe it's a behavioral issue you need help with, or perhaps you would like us to show you how to take care of your pet's teeth in 2 minutes daily at home.  An ear cleansing coaching session might in order so you can prevent fungal growth in your pet's ears.  Or perhaps a nutritional consult, or a lesson in how to trim your pet's nails.  Maybe a little information on young pets or older pets (life stage health) might be useful for you. 

When we discuss medical or surgical items, we will make sure you don't have any other questions that can be answered by the time you leave.  Our doctors will prepare a detailed treatment plan for you, so you can see exactly what is to be done.  All financial details will be clear first, before we do anything.  Your pet's nurse will go over this with you in detail, so you completely understand why a test or a treatment is done, and how it benefits your pet.

Our practice policy is to always provide a treatment plan that is the best for your pet.  We take care of some pets whose guardians who are movie stars, and others whose guardians are homeless.  What matters to us is that we treat your pet at with the same care, skill and up-to-date technique that we would our own.

It is extremely important to us that you are completely comfortable and informed each step of the way.  Again, we encourage questions.  Our number one priority is making sure you have the best experience at our practice, and it goes without saying that your pet does too!

Schedule an appointment: Call us at (808) 874-3422 today!  If you would rather e-mail, just click the link at the bottom of the page.

We can't wait to see you and your pet at South Shore Veterinary Care!














Hours of Operation

Monday

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

closed 1:00 to 1:30 pm

Tuesday

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Friday

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

closed 1:00 to 1:30 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm closed 1:00 to 1:30 pm
Tuesday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm closed 1:00 to 1:30 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

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