Morning rounds start at 8:00 a.m. and end in the early to mid-afternoon, depending on the number of patients. During this time, all animals are examined by their assigned physicians, and further examinations (e.g. laboratory, X-rays, ultrasound) are performed and medication is administered if required.

This is followed by a consultation between the ward physician and the senior veterinarians. During this time, the animal keepers clean the kennels, provide the animals with fresh food and take care of the pet’s needs (walking, medication, grooming, playtime, etc.). Each animal is closely monitored, and medication is administered or further diagnostic examinations are performed if necessary. The duration of the evening rounds again depends on the number of patients. The ward staff is then replaced by the night staff. Your animal is under veterinary care 24 hours a day.

We will contact you by phone after the midday consultation to inform you of the status of your pet.

We ask for your understanding that no information can be provided by phone before the end of the morning rounds, as this would delay the examination or therapy of subsequent patients.

Of course, it could happen that you are unavailable by phone at some point during the day due to work or private reasons. If we are unable to reach you, we will call you back later that day in order to inform you first hand as to the current condition of your pet.

Please inform us of the latest time that we can call you in the evening. Should your dog’s condition worsen, we will of course contact you immediately – regardless of the time if you so desire.

Animals with a contagious disease or those that have not been vaccinated are kept in their own special housing facility subject to strict hygiene regulations. In this way, we can keep the infection risk to a minimum.

Your dog should stay with us at least as long until treatment at home becomes a feasible option and taking care of your pet does not overly restrict or burden the owner in their everyday life. The exact time of discharge depends on the condition of your pet and on the progression of the illness or disease. The daily phone call from the ward physician and the visiting hours are an opportunity for you to discuss the progression and prognosis of the disease and the further treatment schedule.

We constantly strive to discharge your dog into home care or outpatient supervision as soon as its condition allows. A home release against the attending veterinarian’s advice is of course possible as long as your family veterinarian is able to take over the further care and treatment of your dog.

We try to meet the needs of our patients with a wide range of high-quality food. Nevertheless, besides the illness, an inpatient stay can often spoil the animal’s appetite a little. This is where we need your help! If your dog doesn’t eat enough, please bring us (labelled with your dog’s name) the kind of food and treats from home that your dog is accustomed to.

All dogs are walked on the university grounds several times a day as well as at night to make sure that your four-legged friend gets enough exercise and can do what dogs needs to do.

As the kennels have to be cleaned several times a day, your pet would only benefit from a personal blanket for a short period of time. And if your dog is given an infusion, this would increase the amount and frequency of urination. The prescribed medication may also affect the consistency of the stool. As it is logistically impossible for us to clean and store personal items separately, we ask that you only leave items here that can be disposed of when you pick up your dog.

We are always happy for every dog that we can release into home care or outpatient supervision.

The physician on duty will determine the day of discharge, of which you will be informed in good time (usually the day before so you can arrange for adequate transport, among other things). A special discharge appointment will be reserved for you and your pet. If you have a family veterinarian, they will receive a back-referral/discharge letter by e-mail on the day of discharge with all the information about your animal’s stay with us (results of the clinical examinations, X-rays, blood counts, medications administered during the inpatient stay and a complete treatment schedule).

Please make sure during admission of your pet to the clinic that you have indicated your primary care veterinarian and that you make an appointment with them for a check-up the day after you take your pet home.

A follow-up examination by your family veterinarian is necessary to re-evaluate your pet’s clinical condition and discuss this with you. The veterinarian is informed of the treatment schedule and adapts the medication to the condition of your animal (“How is my dog doing since returning home? Is it eating? Does it appear to be in pain?”)