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Sentinel Veterinary Specialists & EmergencySentinel Veterinary Specialists & Emergency

Phone: (406) 218‑2800
Address: 1704 S Reserve St, Missoula, MT 59801
Email: info@sentinelvse.com

Exceptional Veterinary Services with a Kind Heart

We are a team of board-certified specialists, highly trained emergency doctors and top veterinary professionals dedicated to providing world-class medicine and care. We aim to be an integral part of Western Montana’s veterinary community, caring for patients that need extra attention and an after-hours presence.

News and Events

We remain committed to helping animals despite the Covid-19 crisis.

We also remain committed to the safety of our clients, dedicated staff, and the wider community. As such, we ask you to work with us as we seek a balance between the unique demands of emergency medicine and a safe and respectful environment for all.

Given that emergency situations often require more discussion, education, and compassion than routine veterinary care we are entrance into our building.

Please call our clinic at (406) 218-2800 to alert us of your arrival and let us know immediately if your pet is in critical condition.

While we are no longer requiring masks, we do require respect for our staff and clients. Should you wish us to wear a mask during our visit with you, we are happy to oblige. All of our other safety precautions, including cleaning protocols and air filtration remain in place at this time.

For the safety of our clients and staff, please do not enter our facility if you have symptoms or have recently been in close contact with someone with Covid 19. If your pet is having an emergency, call (406) 218-2800 for guidance on how to proceed.

Other Considerations to keep you and your pet safe:

  • Cats must be in a carrier with no personal belongings in the carrier.
  • All dogs must be on leash.
  • All leashes and other belongings may be subject to cleaning with pet safe disinfectants.

Indoor Service

CONDITIONS FOR INDOOR SERVICE

To increase the safety of indoor interactions, we require the following:

  1. While we no longer require a facemask to enter, we ask clients and staff to be courteous. Should you wish our staff to wear a face mask during your visit, we are happy to oblige.
  2. A maximum of 2 adults allowed per pet.
  3. No visitor may be under quarantine, experiencing symptoms of Covid, or have a suspected exposure to Covid.
  4. Please use hand sanitizer provided at the front desk.

Doorside Service

MINIMAL CONTACT SERVICE EXPECTIONS:

  1. Please wear a face covering (mask) for all interactions. 
  2. Meet a staff member at the door to obtain initial check-in paperwork and information. You will be provided with a cleaned clipboard and pen. 
    Please complete this paperwork to the best of your ability, including accurate phone number and email address.
  3. A staff member will retrieve this paperwork from you to be entered into our clinical record systems. This staff member will further direct you based on the medical condition of your pet and the status of other patients in the hospital. 
  4. When both you and we are ready for your pet, we ask that you meet us at our door to transfer the pet to us. 
    Dogs must be on leash and cats must be in a carrier.
  5. Our staff member and Doctor will examine your pet and then call you to discuss their findings and recommendations.  
    • Should your pet require diagnostics, sedation or anesthesia, or hospitalization we will provide you with additional paperwork and information.
    • Once reviewed over the phone, we will ask that you meet us at the door to provide authorization/ signature and a deposit (as needed). 
  6. A staff member will direct you from there based on your pet’s condition and care plan.

Additional Precautions:

Enhanced Cleaning and Safety Protocols

  1. Frequent sanitizing of commonly used items- pens, clipboards, door handles
  2. Frequent sanitizing of reception area
  3. Thorough cleaning of exam rooms- wipe chairs, door handles, table/countertop surfaces
  4. Hand sanitizer and face masks available in lobby and exam rooms
  5. Air filters in Exam Rooms

Social Distancing

  1. Indoor service clients and pets are directed to an Exam Room as soon as possible upon arrival, spending minimal time in our lobby.
  2. Avoiding more than one party in Lobby at once
  3. Providing discharges and check outs in Exam Rooms, if possible
  4. Accommodating Door Service per request

Keeping Our Team Healthy

  1. Request a staff member stay home if sick or if there is any suspected exposure.  
  2. Providing Personal Protective Equipment: exam gloves, masks (surgical or cloth), protective eyewear, gowns
  3. Requesting frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing. 
  4. Encouraging social distancing whenever possible, but recognize that it is not always possible when treating and handling pets.
  5. Limit duration of contact with clients to < 15 minutes when possible.
  6. Encouraging all clients and staff to wear face covering both in the building and during outdoor interaction.  
  7. Authorizing our staff to request those that are non-compliant to go outside immediately. 
  8. Restricting hospital visitation to limit exposure.