Capital District Veterinary Referral: Vet Care & Contact

by
Latham, New York · Emergency & Specialty Vet Guide · Updated September 2026

Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital address, 24/7 emergency care, specialty referrals, imaging, ophthalmology, and pet owner help

Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital is an emergency and specialty veterinary hospital located at 222 Troy Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110. The main hospital phone number is (518) 785-1094, and the hospital lists main hours as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This guide is built for pet owners and referring veterinarians who need more than a basic listing. It explains the emergency route, specialty referral process, patient admission updates, discharge expectations, client portal, veterinary portal, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, toxic ingestion steps, payment options, pet insurance planning, map, and practical checklists.

Call Hospital: 518-785-1094 Client Registration Client Portal Submit Referral
Emergency warning: If your pet is having trouble breathing, cannot urinate, has seizures, severe trauma, collapse, suspected poisoning, severe bleeding, bloat signs, or cannot walk, call 518-785-1094 and prepare to go immediately. For suspected toxin ingestion, gather packaging or remains of what was eaten before you leave if it is safe to do so.
Hospital address 222 Troy Schenectady Rd

Latham, NY 12110. Use this for GPS, emergency arrival, referral appointments, discharge pickup, and records coordination.

Main phone 518-785-1094

Use for emergency arrival, specialty appointment questions, referral coordination, patient updates, and payment questions.

Main hours Open 24 hours

The official pages list main hours as open 24 hours daily, including weekends.

Hospital focus Emergency & Specialty

Services include emergency/critical care, diagnostic imaging, and ophthalmology.

Referral rule Condition-specific care

Referred dogs and cats are treated for the condition for which they were referred, not routine wellness procedures.

Portal access Client & Vet Portals

Pet owners can use the client portal, and referring veterinary teams can use the veterinary portal for referral communication.

Start here: choose the right route before driving or calling

Referral and emergency hospitals work differently from routine veterinary clinics. Use this table to choose the right action quickly.

Your need Best action Prepare before contact or arrival
Life-threatening emergency Call 518-785-1094 and go to the hospital if instructed or if the situation is clearly urgent. Medication list, toxin packaging, recent records, carrier or leash, and one reachable phone number.
Suspected poisoning or toxin ingestion Gather packaging or remains of what was eaten and call the hospital or a poison-control hotline. Product name, amount eaten, time eaten, pet weight, symptoms, and any vomiting or seizures.
Specialty referral appointment Ask your family veterinarian to send a referral form and medical records. Diagnosis, records, bloodwork, X-rays, medication list, and the specialty department needed.
Ophthalmology appointment Have your vet fax records before the appointment and bring current and previous eye medications. Eye medication names, dose schedule, photos, symptom timeline, cone use, and prior test results.
Diagnostic imaging Coordinate through your regular veterinarian or referral route. Reason for imaging, prior radiographs, sedation concerns, fasting instructions, and insurance questions.
Admitted pet update Designate one family contact for medical updates. Reliable phone number, voicemail access, questions list, and understanding that the care team may be unavailable during active treatment.
Payment planning Ask for the estimate and discuss payment or financing before services are rendered when possible. Cash, card, check with ID, CareCredit, Scratchpay, insurance policy, and ability to approve the treatment plan.

Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital contact information and hours

Confirm directly before visiting, especially if your pet’s symptoms may need immediate triage or specialty-team routing.

Contact item Current detail Use it for
Hospital name Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital Emergency care, specialty referrals, imaging, ophthalmology, records, and client communication.
Address 222 Troy Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110 GPS, emergency arrival, specialist appointments, discharge pickup, and referral paperwork.
Phone 518-785-1094 Emergency arrival, appointment questions, inpatient updates, referral support, payment questions, and discharge timing.
Main hours Open 24 hours daily Emergency and specialty hospital access. Specialty appointments may still require scheduling and referral coordination.
Location context Centrally located on Route 2 in Latham Useful for owners traveling from Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga, and surrounding Capital District communities.
Referral hospital note: Dogs and cats referred to Capital District are treated only for the condition for which they were referred. Routine procedures such as vaccinations or heartworm testing are not performed on referral or referral emergency patients.

Google map, emergency arrival, and safe transport checklist

Use the map for route planning to 222 Troy Schenectady Rd. Call the hospital when possible so the team knows why you are coming.

Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital
222 Troy Schenectady Rd
Latham, NY 12110
Phone: 518-785-1094

Use this embedded Google map for directions only. For time-sensitive emergencies, call the hospital and follow the emergency team’s arrival instructions.

Dogs

Use a secure leash, harness, crate, or blanket support if your dog is weak, painful, or unable to walk. Tell staff if your dog may bite because of pain or fear.

Cats

Use a latched carrier. Do not carry a cat loose, especially during emergency arrival, because fear and pain can trigger escape behavior.

Toxin cases

Bring the package, plant, medication bottle, product photo, or remaining material. Include the time and estimated amount eaten.

Critical pets

Bring ID, payment method, medical records, medication list, and one reachable phone contact. Do not delay departure to gather nonessential items.

Official online actions and what to do after each page opens

Use these official links for live tasks. Each card includes micro-steps so owners and veterinary teams know what to do next.

Client registration form

Open client registration

  1. Complete the form before arrival when time allows.
  2. Use accurate owner, pet, and contact details.
  3. For emergencies, ask the client care team for help completing registration.

Client portal

Open the client portal

  1. Use the portal for client access when available.
  2. Do not use the portal for active emergencies.
  3. Call the hospital for urgent updates or arrival instructions.

Submit referral

Open referral submission

  1. Referring veterinary teams submit the patient referral online.
  2. Attach or send diagnostics, radiographs, lab results, and case notes.
  3. Use the veterinary portal for records and updates.

Referral process

Open referral process details

  1. Review how communication works with the referring veterinarian.
  2. Confirm how treatment plans and records are shared.
  3. Ask about referral updates if your case is time-sensitive.

Payment options

Open payment options

  1. Review cash, check, credit card, CareCredit, and Scratchpay options.
  2. Ask for an itemized estimate before planned care.
  3. Apply for financing ahead of scheduled treatment when possible.

Pet insurance guidance

Open pet insurance page

  1. Review policy documents before choosing a plan.
  2. Ask about deductible type and reimbursement percentage.
  3. Request receipts, estimates, and medical notes for claims.

Emergency and critical care: when to use Capital District immediately

The hospital’s emergency/critical care department works with pet owners and regular veterinarians for urgent diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization, and follow-up communication.

Emergency category Examples listed or strongly relevant Owner action
Breathing, circulation, or collapse Trouble breathing, collapse, severe weakness, pneumonia, lung disease, shock-like symptoms, or need for CPR. Call 518-785-1094 and prepare to arrive immediately. Keep your pet cool, calm, and safely restrained.
Neurologic or seizure concerns Seizure management, neurologic problems, inability to walk, or sudden coordination changes. Record seizure timing if safe. Do not put your hand in the pet’s mouth.
Abdominal and urinary emergencies Severe gastrointestinal emergencies such as bloat, pancreatitis, trouble urinating, peritonitis, kidney disease, and liver disease. Male cats unable to urinate and dogs with bloat-like signs should be treated as urgent emergencies.
Trauma, pain, infection, and toxins Trauma, acute pain, infectious diseases, immune-related diseases, toxicosis, poisonings, and sepsis management. Bring medication bottles, product packaging, photos, and recent records. Call ahead if possible.
Pregnancy or birth emergency Dystocia management, meaning difficulty giving birth. Call immediately with species, breed, pregnancy timeline, number delivered, time since last puppy or kitten, and mother’s condition.
Emergency phone script: “I am coming with my pet. Species is __, weight is __, symptoms started __, breathing is __, gum color is __, possible toxin or injury is __, and estimated arrival time is __.”

Suspected poisoning or toxin ingestion

The official emergency page tells owners to gather packaging or remains of anything eaten or suspected of being eaten because that information can speed diagnosis and treatment.

What to bring

Bring packaging, pill bottle, plant material, chocolate wrapper, chemical container, product label, photos, or anything left from the suspected exposure.

What to say

Be honest about the product, even if it is embarrassing or illegal. The emergency team needs accurate details to treat the pet safely.

Poison hotlines

The official page lists ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.

Do not guess treatment

Do not induce vomiting, give human medication, feed home remedies, or wait for symptoms unless a veterinarian or poison-control professional instructs you.

Specialty referral process for pet owners and veterinary teams

Capital District is a referral hospital, so many specialty patients start with a family veterinarian who sends the referral form and records.

Your family veterinarian identifies the specialty need. The referral form describes the pet’s problem and identifies the appropriate specialty department.
The referring hospital submits the referral. Veterinary teams can submit patient referrals online and receive referral letters, diagnostic results, and radiograph results electronically or by fax.
You schedule the initial visit. To schedule an initial referral appointment, call 518-785-1094. Ask which records, medications, and fasting instructions are needed.
Client care checks you in. On arrival, client care specialists help with check-in. A technician collects history and vital signs before the specialist or emergency clinician reviews the case.
Records and updates go back to your veterinarian. The hospital states that records are available through the online portal and that the team values communication with the referring veterinarian.
Routine-care boundary: Referral patients are not at Capital District for routine vaccines, heartworm testing, or primary-care services. Keep your regular veterinarian involved for preventive care and ongoing routine needs.

When your pet is admitted: updates, confidentiality, and discharge

The hospital provides a practical inpatient guide explaining what owners can expect when a pet is hospitalized.

Before admission
The medical team reviews the pet’s condition and treatment plan with you. Ask about feeding changes, medication changes, estimate range, and what decisions may be needed overnight.
Medical updates
The hospital says owners receive a call twice daily: a morning update between 6:00 am and 11:00 am and an evening update between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
Family contact
The hospital asks that one family member be designated for medical updates and that this person relay information to others.
Confidentiality
The team treats each patient’s medical condition as confidential and discusses the case only with the owner or designated person on the patient information sheet.
Discharge timing
Be prepared to spend up to one hour during the discharge process so the team can review instructions, medications, rechecks, home care, and the updated balance.
Update note template: Keep a shared family note with diagnosis, medications, estimate, morning update, evening update, next decision point, and questions for discharge.

Veterinary services available at Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital

The hospital’s official services include emergency/critical care, diagnostic imaging, and ophthalmology. Contact the hospital if you need a service or treatment not listed.

Care area What the hospital lists Practical owner question
Emergency & Critical Care 24-hour emergency care, critical care support, diagnostics, surgical services through emergency/critical care, CPR support, pain, sepsis, toxins, seizures, trauma, urinary trouble, and breathing trouble. Should I come immediately, and what should I bring based on symptoms or toxin exposure?
Diagnostic Imaging Digital radiography and ultrasound for non-invasive evaluation and diagnosis, working with the regular veterinarian. Does my pet need fasting, sedation, prior records, radiographs, or insurance authorization?
Ophthalmology Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of veterinary ocular diseases and infections by a dedicated ophthalmologist. Should my pet keep using current eye medication before the appointment, and should records be faxed first?
Emergency surgery and specialty procedures The home page highlights emergency surgery and ophthalmic surgery as diagnostic or treatment options. What estimate, consent, discharge instructions, and recheck schedule should I expect?
Referral communication Treatment plan communication, referral letters, diagnostic results, radiograph results, and real-time medical-record availability through the veterinary portal. Will my regular veterinarian receive the discharge summary and test results?

Ophthalmology appointments: eye conditions, first visit, and medications

Capital District’s ophthalmology page lists a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist and explains common eye diseases, surgery options, and first-visit steps.

Ophthalmology area Details listed Owner preparation
Commonly treated conditions Cataracts, dry eye, corneal ulcers, glaucoma, uveitis, distichiasis, cherry eye, and entropion. Bring medication bottles, prior eye records, photos, and timeline of squinting, redness, cloudiness, discharge, or vision change.
Surgical services Cataract surgery, corneal grafting, eyelid surgery, surgery for dry eye, and surgical repair of corneal ulcers. Ask about estimate, anesthesia, post-op medication schedule, cone use, activity restriction, and recheck timing.
Diagnostics Electroretinography and ocular ultrasound are listed, and the first visit may include tear production, glaucoma, and corneal ulcer tests. Arrive early and ask whether recent tests need to be repeated because eye conditions can change quickly.
First-visit checklist Have your veterinarian fax medical records before the appointment, bring current and previous ophthalmic medications, and arrive 15 minutes early for paperwork. Keep eye drops in their labeled containers and know the exact dose schedule.
Ophthalmology team: The official team page lists Christa Corbett, DVM, MS, DACVO as Veterinary Ophthalmologist.

Diagnostic imaging: X-rays, ultrasound, and referral coordination

Diagnostic imaging helps evaluate pets non-invasively and can support emergency, specialty, and family-veterinarian treatment decisions.

Radiography

Radiography, commonly called X-rays, is listed as a diagnostic modality. It may help evaluate bones, chest, abdomen, foreign bodies, trauma, and some emergency conditions.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is listed as a diagnostic modality and may be used for abdominal, soft-tissue, emergency, or specialty evaluation when recommended by the medical team.

Before imaging

Ask whether your pet should fast, whether sedation may be needed, whether previous images should be sent, and whether insurance pre-authorization applies.

After imaging

Ask who will explain results, whether the family veterinarian receives them, what diagnosis is suspected, and what follow-up care or recheck is needed.

Veterinary team and leadership

The official team page lists emergency veterinarians, a criticalist, an ophthalmologist, and hospital leadership. Team availability can change by shift and specialty schedule.

Team member Role listed Why it matters
Jennifer Rogers, DVM Medical Director, Emergency Veterinarian Useful context for hospital medical leadership and emergency service coordination.
Shelley Smith, DVM, DACVECC Veterinary Criticalist Board-certified emergency and critical care support is relevant for complex hospitalized pets.
Christa Corbett, DVM, MS, DACVO Veterinary Ophthalmologist Relevant for eye disease, ocular diagnostics, cataracts, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, and eye surgery questions.
Samantha Berge, DVM Emergency & Critical Care Listed on the Emergency/Critical Care team.
Melanie Brennan, DVM Emergency Veterinarian Listed among the emergency veterinary team.
Butch (Harold) Bastiani Hospital Director Hospital leadership contact context for operations and hospital administration.
Doctor expectation: In emergency care, the veterinarian on shift may not be a doctor you selected. For specialty appointments, ask whether the right specialist has reviewed the referral before you arrive.

Client portal, veterinary portal, patient records, and communication

Capital District provides portal access for pet owners and online referral tools for veterinary teams.

Client portal
Pet owners can use the client portal link for hospital-related access when available. For emergencies or urgent patient changes, call the hospital instead of relying on online messages.
Veterinary portal
All members of a referring veterinary team can have online access to patient records through a shared username and password.
Referral results
The referral page says referring practices can receive referral letters, diagnostic results, and radiograph results electronically or by fax.
Inpatient updates
During hospitalization, the hospital calls at regular intervals and gives twice-daily updates unless significant changes require additional communication.
Discharge records
At discharge, owners receive written instructions and medication directions, and the family veterinarian is kept updated during care and at discharge.

Payment options, estimates, CareCredit, Scratchpay, and pet insurance

Emergency and specialty care can involve urgent financial decisions, so payment planning should happen as early as possible.

Estimate paid before services

The official payment page says the hospital asks clients to pay the estimate in full prior to services being rendered on the day services are provided.

Accepted payment methods

Visible payment methods include cash, personal checks accepted via Telecheck with ID required, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, CareCredit, and Scratchpay.

Financing timing

For scheduled treatment, applying for financing before drop-off can make the process smoother. In an emergency, the client care team may help with applications.

Pet insurance

The hospital encourages pet owners to research policy documents carefully because coverage, deductibles, reimbursement percentages, and exclusions vary by company.

Wells Fargo note: The payment page states that existing Wells Fargo clients retain card privileges until 9/16/2025, but new clients without existing accounts are no longer eligible for that service.
Estimate question: “Can you explain what is included in the estimate, what may change overnight, what requires my approval, what medications are included, and what records I will need for insurance?”

Official first-aid PDF checklist: what to keep ready

The official emergency page links to a pet-specific first-aid kit checklist. A kit helps owners act faster while traveling or waiting for veterinary instructions.

First-aid kit item Why it helps Important caution
Emergency phone numbers Include your regular veterinarian, the closest emergency room, and poison control. For this hospital, keep 518-785-1094 saved before travel.
Leash, muzzle, blanket, gloves Useful for safe restraint, painful pets, cold pets, and transport. A painful pet may bite even if normally friendly.
Bandage supplies Self-cling bandage, gauze pads, gauze roll, and bandage tape can help protect wounds temporarily. Do not wrap tightly or delay emergency care for deep wounds or heavy bleeding.
Thermometer and rubbing alcohol Rectal thermometer and rubbing alcohol for thermometer cleaning are listed in the PDF. Ask veterinary staff how to interpret temperature and when to come in.
Pet paperwork Rabies certificate and important medical records are listed as kit items. Keep digital copies too, especially for travel, referral visits, and emergencies.
Diphenhydramine The PDF lists diphenhydramine only if approved by a veterinarian. Do not give it without veterinary approval because dose and safety depend on the pet and situation.

End-of-life arrangements and aftercare decisions

Capital District provides end-of-life guidance for families who must make cremation, burial, memorial, or pickup decisions after a hospital visit.

General cremation

The hospital explains that if general cremation is selected and ashes are not returned, no further action is needed by the family after payment and arrangements.

Private cremation

Private cremation is for families who want ashes returned. Additional crematory communication, urn selection, and weight-based fees may apply.

Burial or pickup

If you want to bring your pet home for private burial, call in advance. The hospital notes limited ability to hold remains and possible holding fees.

Memorial items

Families may request ink paw print cards, and some crematory options may include clay pawprints or urn choices.

Official source checklist used for this guide

This section keeps the page transparent and helps owners or veterinary teams open the original hospital pages for live details.

Official source What it verifies When to open it
Hospital home page Address, phone, 24/7 main hours, emergency and specialty positioning, referral button, imaging highlights, and contact route. Open for current hospital-wide information and direct action links.
Contact page Phone number, address, map reference, and 24-hour main hours. Open before driving, calling, or checking current location details.
Emergency/Critical Care page Toxin guidance, poison-control phone numbers, emergency services, diagnostics, first-aid PDF, and emergency team information. Open during emergency planning or when a pet may need critical care.
Diagnostic Imaging page Radiography, ultrasound, and imaging coordination with the regular veterinarian. Open before imaging referral or emergency diagnostic planning.
Ophthalmology page Eye conditions, ophthalmic surgery, ophthalmology diagnostics, and ophthalmology team information. Open for cataracts, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, dry eye, eye injury, or specialist eye appointments.
Ophthalmology first visit page Record faxing, medication preparation, 15-minute early arrival, preliminary eye tests, and discharge record expectations. Open before the first ophthalmology appointment.
Submit referrals page Online referral submission, electronic/fax results, veterinary portal access, and portal support note. Open for referring veterinary teams.
When Your Pet is a Patient page Referral intake, admission communication, twice-daily update windows, designated family contact, confidentiality, and discharge process. Open when your pet is admitted or likely to be hospitalized.
Payment Options page Estimate payment rule, cash, check, credit card, CareCredit, Scratchpay, and Wells Fargo note. Open before scheduled specialty treatment, emergency care, or admission.
First Aid Kit Checklist PDF First-aid kit supplies, poison-control number, paperwork, leash, bandage supplies, thermometer, and restocking reminder. Open to prepare a travel or emergency pet kit.
Independent guide notice: USHospitalGuides.com is not Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital, not Ethos Veterinary Health, not a veterinary provider, not an emergency service, and not a government agency. Use the official hospital phone number, official hospital links, your veterinarian, or poison-control professionals for final decisions.

What basic directory listings often miss

Simple ranking pages usually show address, phone, reviews, and hours. That is not enough for a referral or emergency hospital where owners need fast, accurate next steps.

Basic listing detail Missing user intent Added in this guide
Address and phone Does not explain what to bring for emergency arrival, toxin ingestion, or specialty referral. Emergency call script, toxin checklist, map, arrival instructions, and referral preparation.
Open 24 hours Does not explain that specialty appointments still require referral coordination and may not be walk-in routine care. Referral boundary, specialty appointment process, and routine-care warning.
Services list Does not tell owners what ophthalmology, imaging, or critical care visits actually involve. Ophthalmology first-visit checklist, imaging questions, emergency categories, and inpatient update schedule.
Payment methods Does not explain estimate payment timing, financing preparation, receipts, or insurance planning. Payment section with CareCredit, Scratchpay, pet insurance, and estimate questions.
Portal link Does not separate client portal use from veterinary referral portal use. Client portal, veterinary portal, referral records, and communication workflow.

Important veterinary and emergency notice

This guide helps with hospital contact, map, referral process, emergency preparation, payment, portal access, and owner questions. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Do not use online information for emergency triage. Trouble breathing, collapse, severe bleeding, seizures, toxin ingestion, inability to urinate, bloat-like signs, or severe pain require immediate professional veterinary help.

Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital FAQs

These questions focus on address, phone, 24/7 emergency care, referrals, ophthalmology, imaging, inpatient updates, payment, portal access, and first-aid preparation.

1. What is the address for Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital?
Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital is located at 222 Troy Schenectady Rd, Latham, NY 12110. Use this address for emergency arrival, referral appointments, discharge pickup, and GPS directions.
2. What is the phone number for Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital?
The main hospital phone number is 518-785-1094. Use it for emergencies, specialty appointment questions, referral coordination, inpatient updates, payment questions, and discharge timing.
3. Is Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital open 24 hours?
Yes. The official hospital pages list main hours as open 24 hours every day of the week. Specialty appointment availability may still depend on referral coordination and specialist scheduling.
4. Does Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital provide routine vaccines or heartworm testing?
No routine procedures such as vaccinations or heartworm testing are performed on referral or referral emergency patients. Referred dogs and cats are treated for the condition for which they were referred.
5. How does the specialty referral process work?
Typically, your family veterinarian sends a referral form describing your pet’s problem and identifying the appropriate specialty department. Referring veterinary teams can submit referrals online and receive referral letters, diagnostic results, and radiograph results electronically or by fax.
6. What emergency and critical care services are listed?
The emergency page lists support for acute pain, CPR, dystocia, immune-related diseases, infectious diseases, kidney and liver disease, neurologic problems, peritonitis, pneumonia, severe pancreatitis, bloat, sepsis, seizures, toxins, trauma, breathing trouble, walking trouble, and urinary trouble.
7. What should I do if my pet may have eaten something toxic?
Gather packaging or remains of what your pet ate if safe, be honest about the substance, call the hospital or poison-control hotline, and do not induce vomiting or give home treatment unless instructed by a veterinarian or poison-control professional.
8. What happens when my pet is admitted to Capital District?
The hospital gives treatment-plan information before admission and calls with updates twice daily: morning updates between 6:00 am and 11:00 am, and evening updates between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. They ask families to designate one contact person for medical updates.
9. What payment options are listed by Capital District Veterinary Referral Hospital?
The hospital lists cash, personal checks accepted via Telecheck with ID, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, CareCredit, and Scratchpay. The payment page says the estimate is paid in full prior to services being rendered on the day of service.
10. What should I bring to an ophthalmology appointment?
Have your veterinarian fax medical records before the appointment, bring current and previous ophthalmic medications, arrive 15 minutes early for paperwork, and be ready for preliminary tests such as tear production, glaucoma testing, and corneal ulcer evaluation.