Commonly Asked Questions

What is Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Services?
Who is a veterinary specialist?
Why would my pet need to go to Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Services?
Can MVRS be my regular veterinary clinic?
How do I get a referral?
Will my veterinarian be updated?
How do I make an appointment?

What is Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Services?

Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Services is a specialty and emergency medical center located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota that services thousands of pet owners and their primary care veterinarians. Our hospital receives internal medicine and surgical referrals Monday thru Friday as well as emergencies after hours Monday through Saturdays until 8 PM and on Sunday from 8:00 AM until 4 PM. We have a fully staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week critical care ward to meet your pet's specialty and emergency care needs. We are dedicated to providing excellent care to our patients and excellent service to pet owners and their primary care veterinarians.
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Who is a veterinary specialist?

A board-certified veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who completed up to 12 years of college education and veterinary training. Each specialist has graduated from a four-year veterinary program and then has gone on to complete an additional four years of rigorous training through an internship and residency program at a major referral center in the United States. To become board-certified, these candidates must also pass challenging training and testing requirements.
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Why would my pet need to go to Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Services?

Your primary care veterinarian will refer you and your pet to our hospital if your pet requires specific testing, treatments or procedures that he/she may not offer or not be experienced with. Your veterinarian has confidence that the cause of your pet’s illness can be definitively diagnosed and treated through the specialists and staff at MVRS. We offer a wide range of diagnostic capabilities, therapeutic techniques and surgical procedures with the support of a 24 hours intensive care unit to insure careful monitoring of your pet. In addition to the experienced medical staff, MVRS has state-of-the-art, highly specialized equipment including ultrasonography, endoscopy, laparoscopy, digital and fluoroscopic imaging.
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Can MVRS be my regular veterinary clinic?

We do not provide general health maintenance service at MVRS. We only practice specialty and emergency medicine. To most effectively manage your pet's health, Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Services works directly with your family veterinarian on a referral basis only. We believe that it is important. Referrals make it easier for the MVS team to coordinate the most comprehensive level of care for your pet.
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How do I get a referral?

If you have a health concern, please contact your primary care veterinarian. He or she will determine whether an office visit is necessary or if your pet should be referred immediately to one of our specialists. Your veterinarian will then complete a referral form (available on our web site www.mvrs-mn.com) and ask you to contact us to make an appointment. Please be sure your veterinarian provides us with a copy of your pet's medical history. This can be sent to us by fax or given to you to bring in on the day of your appointment.

If your pet's condition is an emergency, you or your veterinarian should contact our emergency department to arrange immediate care.
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Will my veterinarian be updated?

We strive to maintain a close working relationship with hundreds of family practice veterinarians. The co-operation between you, your veterinarian and our medical team is crucial to the successful evaluation and ongoing treatment of your beloved friend. Our doctors will keep your veterinarian updated through telephone and written communication. We often discuss the details of your pet’s treatment with your veterinarian during his hospitalization so you may consult with him (her).  Your primary veterinarian will also  receive a case summary on the day of your pets discharge. We encourage you to follow up with your family veterinarian but we are also happy to provide follow up evaluations at MVRS as needed. We provide oral and written evaluation of laboratory work performed by your referring veterinarian for a small fee
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How do I make an appointment?

Ask your veterinarian for a referral or call Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Services directly to arrange for a convenient appointment with our specialists or emergency services. We are ready to help you.
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