Appointments

What are the hours of operation?

Appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

What if I have an emergency?

Our veterinarians are always on call and we are staffed 24/7 year-round to care for patients. Call (352) 392-2229 if you have an emergency.

View our colic emergency page for more information.

How do I make an appointment? Is a referral required?

To schedule an appointment, please call the large animal front desk at (352) 392-2229. A referral is not required. A Client Liaison will collect your information and a brief medical history to ensure that you are scheduled with the appropriate service. Each service has its own appointment schedule.If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please call us to cancel as soon as possible. Your cooperation will allow us to see another patient during that appointment time.

Who will I see at my appointment?

At the UF Large Animal Hospital we embrace a team approach. The medical team is directed by a board-certified veterinarian. Other team members may include residents, interns, technicians and senior veterinary medical students. We value the importance of education and leading-edge technology, enabling us to provide excellent care for your animal.

Board-certified specialists are graduate veterinarians that have completed a one year internship followed by a three year residency program. They then must pass a rigorous examination to become board-certified in their specialty.

Residents are graduate veterinarians that have typically completed a one year general internship and are now pursuing advanced training in a specific specialty under the guidance of board-certified specialists. Most residency programs are three years.

Interns are graduate veterinarians who participate in a one year training program that centers on internal medicine, surgery and emergency medicine, but allows for training in other specialties as well. The attending veterinarian is always involved in your animal’s care and is in close communication with the students taking care of your animal. We encourage our students to communicate directly with you, as this is part of their educational process. You will have the opportunity to speak with the attending veterinarian during your visit.

Our technical and administrative staff are dedicated to providing our patients with the best veterinary care and clients with the best experience possible during their visit to the UF Large Animal Hospital. Without the support of this great team of individuals, we would not be able to deliver superb patient care.

Does the UF Large Animal Hospital offer primary care services?

The UF Large Animal Hospital is not a primary care facility. We encourage our clients to establish a relationship with a veterinarian in their area.

How do I get there? Where do I park?

Please click here for directions. We offer free, clearly marked trailer parking. You will be asked to sign your trailer in at the large animal front desk. Our gates are locked from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and on the weekends, however, we do encourage you to lock your trailer doors and windows.

How long can I expect to wait when I arrive?

We make every attempt to keep the schedule running on time, however, due to emergencies, there may be a delay. We want to give every client individualized attention, including advanced diagnosis with specialists in other services.

My veterinarian already ran some tests. Will you need to repeat those?

We will consult with you and your veterinarian before repeating any tests or procedures to diagnose or treat your animal’s problems. If possible, we will work with previously obtained information. For some things, like many blood values, the numbers can change quickly and frequently. So, we want to get the most up-to-date information possible. Our veterinarians will work with you and your budget to provide the best care possible.

I am coming from quite a distance. Where can I stay overnight?

Click here for a map of pet-friendly hotels in Gainesville. Campus regulations prohibit overnight parking.

What should I bring to the appointment?

Please bring copies of your animal’s medical records such as history, test results and radiographs or ultrasound images. A Client Liaison will scan and enter the medical history into your animal’s medical record at the UF Large Animal Hospital. For our equine patients, the owner must present a valid Coggins. This will also be entered into the patient’s medical record.

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IFAS

As part of both the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and UF Health, Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to advancing animal, human and environmental health through teaching, research, extension and patient care.

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University of Florida

Animal Hospitals

Need animal care? Visit the UF Small Animal and Large Animal Hospitals. From dogs, cats, birds and exotics to horses, cattle, llamas, pigs and many other large farm or food animals, our experienced veterinary staff is ready to assist.

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Animal Airwaves

Animal Airwaves is a daily radio series that features one-minute segments relating to animal health, ranging from insights into animal behavior to veterinary patient care breakthroughs and trends.

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