Information for veterinarians

The College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) at the University of Minnesota provides a variety of services for veterinarians, from consultations with specialists to diagnostic services, continuing education, and more. 

With 16 specialty areas, state-of-the-art equipment such as a 3-T MRI, CT, and linear accelerator, and 24/7 availability, the Veterinary Medical Center is here to help with especially complicated cases. The VMC values its partnership with referring veterinarians and works collaboratively to provide patients with comprehensive care through the University of Minnesota’s extended network.

The VMC is proud to serve as an extension of referring clinics, providing consultation and access to specialists, technology, and treatments. We partner with rDVMs to create an environment of the highest quality care for your patients, building upon your expertise while focusing on the human/animal bond.

Refer a patient for a consultation/examination

To provide the most efficient care for patients in our community, the Lewis Small Animal Hospital will no longer be accepting faxed referrals beginning April 1, 2021.

  • All non-emergency referrals will continue to be accepted over the phone or through our online submission form.
  • All emergency referrals should be called into our hospital at 612-626-8387.
Small animal referral form
Rehab referral form (pdf)
Diagnostic services

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Refer a small animal

Lewis Small Animal Hospital

612-626-VETS (8387) or 800-258-6838
After hours, call Emergency Service: 612-626-VETS (8387)

To provide the most efficient care for patients in our community, the Lewis Small Animal Hospital will no longer be accepting faxed referrals beginning April 1, 2021. You may continue to refer small animal patients to us in one of three ways::

  • Complete and submit an online referral request.
  • Call the Customer Contact Center at 612-626-VETS (8387) or 800-258-6838 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Emergency referrals can be called in 24/7.
  • For Rehabilitation Service Referrals, please complete the small animal rehabilitation referral form and fax it to the Customer Contact Center at 612-624-8779.
Guidelines
  • Fill out the referral form completely, attach the medical record and radiographs, and submit. Records can also be faxed to 612-624-8779 or emailed to [email protected].
  • Please do not write "see records" on the referral. Whenever possible, include specific medical information to make certain our clinicians have all the information they need.
  • Indicate whether you are referring for a consultation, diagnosis, diagnosis and treatment, or second opinion.
  • Confirm all phone numbers for owners before making referrals to avoid a delay in processing the appointment.
  • If anesthesia is anticipated, send the results of lab work completed within the previous month.
  • If not sent with the referral, send a copy of the medical record and appropriate radiographs with the client. When at all possible, please send radiographs as original DICOM (.dcm) image files. If you are unsure how to do this, it may be necessary for you to contact your vendor. We are unable to accept View Only links from the Cuattro Cloud. Please ensure any images submitted are clearly labeled with the patient's name and the date the images were made. 
  • If your digital radiography equipment has the ability to send to another server, you may send the images directly to a server we have setup for referring providers to send to:
    • IP Address/Hostname: 134.84.120.106
      AE Title: D6541
      Port Number: 4006
  • For liability reasons, please do not send photographs of radiographs or photographs of digital images. Please send the original images. If you are unable to send them with the client, please contact the Customer Contact Center for information on how you can send your digital images to us. If you have analog radiography film, please send them with the client or mail them prior to the appointment.

Refer a large animal

Large Animal Hospital

612-625-6700
After hours, call Emergency Service: 612-626-VETS (8387)

Email: [email protected]

Guidelines:
  • Confirm all phone numbers for owners before making referrals to avoid a delay in processing the appointment.
  • Send a copy of the medical record and appropriate radiographs with the client. (Original DICOM formatted images preferred, digital radiology images are accepted)
  • If anesthesia is anticipated, send the results of lab work completed within the previous month.
  • Provide clients with directions/maps/parking, payment, and visiting information.

Fees

The VMC is primarily supported by fees for service. While every effort is made to control costs, modern veterinary medical care can become costly. All VMC clients are asked to sign a statement in which they accept financial responsibility for the care of their companion animal. Upon patient admission, our medical staff will provide your client with an estimate of the anticipated service fees for the first 24 hours of care. Adjusted estimates are provided as medical care progresses.

Payment for services fees may be made via cash, check or major credit card. Our accounting staff is readily available to answer all billing and payment questions.

Communication

Our goal is to communicate your patient's progress to you as appropriate. Our clinicians will provide you with a verbal report, as soon as possible, when a significant event occurs related to the patient's care. This includes a major shift in the diagnosis, treatment plan, or the death of the patient.

We will notify you within 48 hours of discharge of the preliminary findings and discharge instructions provided to your client.

To receive a copy of your patient's medical records please contact our help line at 612-626-VETS (8387). As a public institution, we must receive permission from the client to release records prior to processing your request.

Any concerns may be discussed with the Director of Customer Service at 612-624-1408.