Csu Veterinary Hospital: Vet Care & Contact

by
Veterinary Guide · Fort Collins CO · CSU Veterinary Health System

CSU Veterinary Hospital address, phone, emergency care, appointments, referrals, specialty services, records, pharmacy, and patient help

CSU Veterinary Hospital usually means Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital / Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex in Fort Collins, Colorado. It serves pets, exotic animals, horses, livestock, referring veterinarians, and owners who need emergency, primary, specialty, diagnostic, pharmacy, or teaching-hospital care.

This guide helps you call the right number, prepare for an appointment, understand 24/7 emergency access, use the client portal, request medical records, refill prescriptions, check payment rules, plan parking, and know when to use a referral or specialty service.

Call 970-297-5000 Official Locations Book Appointment Emergency Help
Animal emergency? Call CSU at 970-297-5000 before arrival when possible. For life-threatening illness or injury, do not wait for an online form, portal reply, or routine appointment. CSU’s small animal emergency and critical care service is listed as open 24/7, year-round including holidays.
Official name CSU Veterinary Health System

The hospital location is the Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex in Fort Collins.

Main phone 970-297-5000

Use for appointments, emergencies, referrals, hospital routing, and general clinical-care questions.

Main address 300 W. Drake Road

Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex, Fort Collins, CO 80523.

Emergency care 24/7

Small animal emergency/critical care is open 24/7; equine emergency and critical care is also listed as 24/7.

Pharmacy 970-297-1291

Use for refills, prescription food, compounded medications, and special pharmacy requests.

Client portal Records + bills

Use the portal for appointments, invoices, estimates, prescriptions, selected records, deposits, and payments.

About CSU Veterinary Hospital in Fort Collins

CSU Veterinary Health System combines clinical animal care, veterinary education, specialty medicine, emergency services, diagnostic laboratories, pharmacy support, and referrals.

Owners often search “CSU Veterinary Hospital” when a regular veterinarian recommends referral care, a pet needs 24/7 emergency support, a horse needs advanced hospital care, or a client needs records, billing, pharmacy, or specialty appointment information.

Because this is a university teaching hospital, your animal’s care team may include faculty veterinarians, residents, interns, registered veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, students, and specialty services. The hospital’s prepare-for-your-visit guidance explains that clients have the right to clear information, treatment options, estimates, participation in care decisions, and medical record copies.

Best first step: Call 970-297-5000. Say your animal type, whether it is an emergency, whether your regular veterinarian is referring you, what service you need, and whether you already have medical records or imaging.

CSU Veterinary Hospital contact information

Use the main hospital number when you are unsure where to start. Specialty and pharmacy needs may route from there.

Contact item Current detail Best use
Hospital system CSU Veterinary Health System Animal care, specialty care, emergency care, referrals, teaching hospital services, diagnostics, and pharmacy support.
Main hospital location Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex Main clinical-care hospital for many dog, cat, exotic, specialty, pharmacy, and emergency visits.
Address 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523 Driving directions, emergency arrival, appointments, pharmacy pickup, and main hospital check-in.
Main phone 970-297-5000 Appointments, emergency call-ahead, service routing, referral questions, and general hospital help.
Pharmacy phone 970-297-1291 Refills, prescription food, compounding, mailing requests, and refill-status questions.
Fax listed on current contact page 970-297-1205 Confirm before sending time-sensitive records, referral forms, or outside-veterinarian documents.
Contact caution: CSU has multiple veterinary locations and older CSU VTH pages may still appear online. For time-sensitive care, call 970-297-5000 and ask where your animal should check in today.

Emergency and urgent care at CSU Veterinary Hospital

CSU’s small animal Emergency and Critical Care service is listed as open 24/7, year-round including holidays, and asks owners to call ahead.

Call ahead

Call 970-297-5000 so CSU can prepare for your dog, cat, exotic pet, or other animal before arrival.

Do not wait

Seek immediate care for severe trauma, trouble breathing, severe pain, poisoning, snakebite, heatstroke, collapse, seizures, severe bleeding, or blocked urination.

Same-day urgent issues

CSU lists same-day care examples such as mild to moderate vomiting or diarrhea, minor injuries, limping, minor wounds, and broken toenails.

Hospitalization support

Emergency patients may be treated in the ER, critical care, or intermediate care with access to diagnostics, blood bank support, monitoring, and specialists.

Emergency topic Officially listed detail Owner note
Small animal ER Open 24/7, year-round including holidays. Call ahead at 970-297-5000. Stable patients may wait while critical patients are treated first.
Dog and cat emergency exam fee $175 emergency visit fee listed on CSU’s emergency page. This does not include diagnostics, treatments, hospitalization, medications, or procedures.
Exotic pet emergency fee $250 listed for exotic pets, covering exam, specialty care, handling protocols, and a phone consult when medically necessary. Ask for an estimate after triage because care level changes cost.
Cleaning and safety fee $15 environmental cleaning and safety fee listed by CSU. Fees can change, so confirm current totals at check-in.
Daily update if hospitalized CSU says hospitalized pet owners receive a status update at least once a day, generally between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Ask who will call, which number they will use, and what happens if status changes overnight.
Emergency decision rule: Call CSU and go now if symptoms are serious. Do not delay care while comparing prices, waiting for records, filling out online forms, or checking whether your regular veterinarian is open.

Which CSU veterinary service should you use?

CSU treats different animal types through different services and locations. Choose the route based on species and urgency.

Animal or need Best starting route What to ask before going
Dog or cat routine care Primary Care or specialty appointment through 970-297-5000 Is this routine, urgent, emergency, or specialty? Which entrance and service should I use?
Dog, cat, or exotic emergency Emergency and Critical Care Should I come now, what should I bring, and should my regular veterinarian send records?
Exotic pet Avian, Exotics, and Zoological Medicine or emergency service depending on urgency Does my animal need special handling, temperature control, records, diet details, or enclosure information?
Horse emergency Equine Emergency and Critical Care Should I trailer now, where should I unload, and what records or medications should come with the horse?
Livestock emergency Livestock Veterinary Services availability and emergency routing Is in-hospital or ambulatory care available today, and is the animal within the service radius if ambulatory?
Referral to a specialist Service-specific appointment request or referring veterinarian call Which records, imaging, lab results, and referral summary should be sent before scheduling?
Diagnostic laboratory testing CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories Is this a hospital patient test or a lab submission from a veterinarian, owner, agency, or producer?

How to schedule an appointment at CSU Veterinary Hospital

CSU’s appointment page says clinical-care appointments can be scheduled by calling 970-297-5000, and some specialty services accept online request forms.

Call the main hospital line. Call 970-297-5000. Say your animal type, age, breed/species, symptoms, diagnosis if known, and whether it is emergency, urgent, routine, or referral care.
Ask if a referral is required or recommended. Some specialty services may need referral records, imaging, lab results, or a primary veterinarian summary before scheduling.
Use online request forms when listed. CSU lists online appointment request options for services such as Cancer Care, Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Dermatology, Dentistry and Oral Surgery, General Surgery, Orthopedic Medicine and Mobility, Orthopedic Surgery, and Reproductive Care.
Send records early. Ask your regular veterinarian to send the diagnosis, treatment notes, bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasound reports, discharge summaries, medication list, and vaccine history.
Ask for estimate and deposit expectations. Before approving diagnostics or treatment, ask what is urgent today, what can wait, and whether a deposit is required for the estimated care plan.
Confirm arrival details. Ask which CSU location, entrance, parking area, check-in desk, trailer route, or species-specific receiving area applies to your visit.
Best phone script: “I need care for my ____. It is emergency / urgent / routine / referral. Symptoms started ____. My regular veterinarian is ____. Records or imaging are available. Which CSU service should I use, and where should I check in?”

Veterinarian referrals, medical records, and imaging transfer

CSU accepts referrals across small and large animal services. A strong referral packet helps the CSU team make faster decisions.

Referral item What to send or prepare Why it matters
Referral reason Short problem summary, diagnosis, current concern, and requested specialty service. Helps CSU route the case to the correct specialty or emergency service.
Medical history Exam notes, vaccine history, allergies, prior diagnoses, surgeries, and active problems. Prevents repeated work and gives the receiving team context.
Diagnostics Bloodwork, urinalysis, cytology, pathology, culture, imaging reports, and monitoring results. Specialists may need prior results before deciding the next test.
Radiographs or imaging Actual image files, not only the written report, when possible. CSU may need to review the original images for surgical, orthopedic, neurologic, dental, or emergency planning.
Medication list Drug names, doses, frequency, start date, last dose, supplements, and adverse reactions. Avoids medication conflicts and helps anesthesia or treatment planning.
Owner contact Best phone number during the visit, email, emergency contact, insurance information, and payment method. CSU may need fast approval for diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, or transfer decisions.
Referring-vet note: CSU’s older referral guidance says veterinarians can call 970-297-5000 to make referrals, and the current Veterinary Health System service pages route referrals by individual service. Owners should ask their regular veterinarian to send records before arrival.

Prepare for your visit: what owners should bring

CSU’s client responsibilities emphasize accurate history, respectful communication, animal control, payment policies, and appointment timing.

Bring or prepare Details Helpful note
Animal control Dogs should be on non-retractable leashes; cats and small animals should be in safe carriers. Do not leave irreplaceable belongings with your animal.
Medical records Bring or send prior exam notes, vaccine records, lab work, imaging, discharge notes, and specialist reports. Full records help avoid duplicated testing where possible.
Medication list Include prescription medications, over-the-counter products, supplements, preventives, and last dose time. Bring the bottles or photos of labels when possible.
Behavior notes Tell CSU if your animal bites, escapes, is fearful, is reactive, kicks, or needs special handling. CSU notes animal bites on hospital property are required to be reported to Larimer County Animal Control.
Payment method Payment is expected according to CSU’s financial consent and payment policy. Ask for estimate, deposit, accepted payment method, and final discharge cost rules.
Timing Notify staff if you will be late, need to reschedule, or cannot attend. CSU states it requires 48-hour notice for cancellations, and repeated no-shows may affect scheduling privileges.
Teaching hospital note: Visits can take longer than a regular clinic appointment because specialized exams, student participation, faculty review, diagnostics, estimates, and team communication may be part of the process.

Services listed by CSU Veterinary Health System

CSU’s services directory lists care across small animals, exotics, equine, livestock, pharmacy, diagnostics, rehabilitation, surgery, and specialty medicine.

Primary care

Routine and wellness care for dogs and cats, including exams, vaccinations, preventive care, parasite control, senior care, dental care, weight management, minor illness, and euthanasia support.

Emergency and critical care

24/7 emergency evaluation for dogs, cats, and exotic pets, with critical care, intermediate care, diagnostic support, blood products, monitoring, and specialist access.

Equine care

Equine services include emergency and critical care, field service, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, ophthalmology, surgery, lameness, podiatry, reproductive care, and sports medicine.

Livestock services

Livestock veterinary services can involve herd or individual animal needs, hospital care, field service availability, diagnostics, and emergency routing.

Diagnostic imaging

Diagnostic imaging supports specialty and emergency services with advanced imaging used for orthopedic, neurologic, internal, emergency, and equine cases.

Veterinary pharmacy

CSU’s pharmacy provides medications, refills, compounding, over-the-counter products, and prescription pet food for outpatient and hospitalized patients.

Specialty care: when a regular veterinarian may refer to CSU

CSU provides specialty services that may be used after a primary veterinarian finds a complex, uncommon, severe, or advanced medical problem.

Specialty area Common reason owners search CSU What to ask before scheduling
Cancer Care Masses, tumors, chemotherapy, radiation, staging, biopsy, or oncology treatment planning. Which records, pathology reports, imaging, and lab results are needed before the visit?
Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Heart murmur, arrhythmia, fainting, cough, heart failure, congenital disease, or advanced cardiac workup. Should my veterinarian send X-rays, ECG, blood pressure, and lab results?
Dermatology Allergies, chronic itching, ear infections, skin infections, hair loss, immune skin disease, or recurring paw issues. Should medications be stopped before allergy or skin testing?
Dentistry and Oral Surgery Advanced dental disease, jaw problems, oral masses, extractions, root canals, or oral trauma. Is anesthesia, dental imaging, biopsy, or staged treatment expected?
Internal Medicine Diabetes, endocrine disease, kidney disease, GI disease, liver disease, infection, immune disease, or complex diagnosis. Which lab trends, ultrasound reports, medications, and prior treatments should be sent?
Neurology Seizures, paralysis, spinal pain, weakness, balance problems, intervertebral disc disease, or brain/spinal concerns. Is this urgent or emergency, and is MRI, CT, or surgery possible?
Ophthalmology Eye pain, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, cataracts, retinal disease, trauma, or vision changes. Should my animal be seen immediately to protect vision?
Surgery / Orthopedics Fractures, ligament tears, lameness, tumor removal, soft-tissue surgery, spinal surgery, or mobility problems. What imaging, fasting, estimate, recovery restrictions, and recheck visits are expected?
Specialty visit tip: Ask your regular veterinarian to send the referral reason and complete records before CSU calls you. Missing records can delay the appointment or lead to repeated diagnostics.

Client portal, medical records, imaging, and lab work

CSU’s client portal helps with selected records, appointments, prescriptions, invoices, estimates, payments, and reminders. Full records and imaging may require a separate Medical Records request.

Portal can show
Past and upcoming appointments, prescriptions, refill options, invoices, estimates, deposits, payments, vaccine reminders, dental reminders, dismissal instructions, medical summaries, health certificates, client education documents, and prescriptions.
Portal account help
Use the client portal signup process. If you do not know which email is registered, call 970-297-5000.
Records date note
CSU says documents from August 1, 2019 onward are available through the client portal after final approval.
Not in portal
Imaging studies and lab work are not available through the client portal. A full copy of the medical record must be requested separately.
Records request
Email Medical Records with patient name, owner name, owner phone, receiving clinic name/email, and insurance information if known. For large animals, include all names by which the horse is known and trainer/handler name.
Records script: “Please send my animal’s full CSU medical record, dismissal instructions, medical summary, imaging, lab work, prescriptions, and invoices to _____. Patient name is _____. Owner name is _____. My phone number is _____.”

CSU Veterinary Pharmacy, prescription refills, compounded medications, and prescription food

CSU’s pharmacy page lists medications, refills, drug compounding, over-the-counter products, and prescription food support for outpatient and hospitalized animals.

Pharmacy task What to do Timing or safety note
Refill prescription Use the client portal refill button if refills remain, or call Pharmacy at 970-297-1291. CSU requests 24 hours for prescription refills.
Compounded medication Call Pharmacy or use the portal if available. CSU requests 48 hours for compounded medications.
Expired or no-refill prescription Contact your veterinarian or the CSU service that prescribed it. If your animal has not been seen within the last year, a new appointment may be needed.
Prescription food Order through the client portal or call Pharmacy. Ask whether the diet is in stock and whether pickup or mailing is available.
Special request Call 970-297-1291 for mailing, quantity change, refill count, or special handling. Requests outside regular pharmacy hours are processed the next business day.
Medication safety: Never change dose, stop a medication, give another animal’s medication, or use human medication without veterinary direction. Ask CSU or your regular veterinarian if side effects occur.

Billing, estimates, deposits, payment policy, and financial questions

CSU’s payment pages and policies explain estimates, deposits, payment at checkout/discharge, client portal payments, and accepted payment methods.

Billing topic CSU guidance summary What to ask
Estimate CSU says the team provides an estimate after the initial exam when care is needed. “What is the low-end and high-end estimate, and what would make cost increase?”
Deposit For estimates over $250, CSU lists an 80% deposit of the low-end estimate before services are performed. “Is a deposit required before diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, or treatment starts?”
Payment due Payment of the current account balance is due at checkout, procedure, or discharge. “What will be due today, and could additional charges or credits post later?”
Later charges CSU says additional charges or credits may be applied up to seven days after dismissal. “How will I receive a revised invoice if charges change?”
Phone payment Financial Services can be reached at 970-297-1265 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for phone payment help. “Can I pay by phone, portal, cash, check, card, or CareCredit?”
Payment plans CSU policy says it does not offer payment plans. “Are there staged-care options, a lower-cost first step, or a hardship conversation I should have with the veterinarian?”
Budget conversation: Tell the veterinarian early if cost is a concern. Ask what is medically urgent, what can be staged, what alternatives exist, and which warning signs mean your animal must return immediately.

Map, parking, directions, and arrival notes

The main Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex is on West Drake Road in Fort Collins. Small-animal parking and large-animal trailer flow are not the same.

CSU Veterinary Hospital / Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex
300 West Drake Road
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Main: 970-297-5000

Use this map for the main Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex at 300 West Drake Road. Call before arrival for emergency instructions, trailer route, construction detours, or specialty-specific check-in.
Arrival type What to do Why it helps
Small animal visit Park near the main entrance area directed by signage and keep dogs leashed and cats in carriers. Reduces escape risk, bite risk, and lobby stress.
Large animal visit Call ahead and ask where trailers should enter, unload, and park. Large animals need safer traffic flow and handling space.
Emergency arrival Call 970-297-5000 before arrival if possible and follow ER receiving instructions. Allows the team to prepare oxygen, stretcher, isolation, blood products, or specialty support.
Contagious concern Call from the car if your animal has coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, suspected infectious disease, fever, or unknown exposure. The team may use a safer entry process to protect other animals.

Owner checklist before calling, driving, or requesting records

Use this checklist to reduce delays and help the care team route your animal correctly.

Task Have ready Ask clearly
Emergency call Species, breed, age, weight, symptoms, onset time, medications, allergies, and current location. “Should I come now, and which entrance or receiving area should I use?”
Specialty appointment Referral reason, regular veterinarian contact, records, lab work, imaging, diagnosis, and treatment history. “Which specialty should review this case, and do I need an online request form?”
Primary care visit Vaccine history, diet, preventives, behavior concerns, stool sample if requested, and prior clinic records. “What vaccines, screening tests, and preventives are due today?”
Pharmacy refill Animal name, owner name, prescription name, dose, refill number, food type, and pickup or mailing preference. “Is the prescription still active, and when will it be ready?”
Records request Patient name, owner name, phone number, receiving clinic email, record type, imaging need, and insurance information if known. “Do I need full records, lab work, imaging studies, invoices, or only the visit summary?”
Billing question Estimate, invoice, account balance, payment method, CareCredit if used, and discharge date. “What is due today, and are any revised charges possible after dismissal?”

Official source checklist for this CSU Veterinary Hospital guide

Use these official CSU pages for final verification because services, fees, phone numbers, emergency instructions, records access, pharmacy hours, and policies can change.

Official source What it verifies When to use it
CSU Veterinary Health System Official hospital system, owner resources, animal-care navigation, emergency care, referrals, diagnostics, news, and support links. Use first for current CSU Veterinary Hospital navigation.
Locations Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex address, phone, and other CSU veterinary facility addresses. Use before driving or mailing records.
Book an Appointment Main appointment phone number and specialty appointment request forms. Use when scheduling routine, specialty, referral, or non-emergency clinical care.
Emergency and Critical Care 24/7 emergency availability, call-ahead instruction, emergency conditions, same-day urgent examples, visit fees, and emergency arrival expectations. Use for dog, cat, or exotic pet emergency planning.
Equine Emergency and Critical Care 24/7 equine emergency and critical care, year-round availability, conditions treated, and equine monitoring resources. Use for horse emergencies, colic, trauma, serious lacerations, neonatal emergencies, and urgent equine care.
Services directory Cancer care, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, equine services, emergency care, internal medicine, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pharmacy, primary care, rehabilitation, and more. Use to find the right CSU service by animal type or specialty need.
Prepare for Your Visit Owner preparation, care-team roles, client rights and responsibilities, cancellation timing, animal-control guidance, and visit policies. Use before an appointment or referral visit.
Client Portal Appointments, prescriptions, invoices, estimates, payments, vaccine reminders, selected records, medical-record limitations, refill timing, and Medical Records request instructions. Use for portal access, records, refills, invoices, and estimates.
Pharmacy Pharmacy role, refills, compounding, prescription food, phone number, client portal refill route, and special pharmacy request handling. Use for medication and prescription-food questions.
Pay My Bill Client portal bill pay, phone payment, deposits, payment-at-checkout guidance, revised charges, and Financial Services contact. Use for invoices, deposits, and payment questions.
Policies Client rights and responsibilities, consult policy, payment policy, accepted payment methods, no-payment-plan statement, and hospital policy topics. Use before approving treatment, teleconsulting, referrals, or payment arrangements.
Independent guide notice: This website is not Colorado State University, CSU Veterinary Health System, a veterinary emergency service, a referring veterinarian, a pet insurer, or a medical provider. Always confirm diagnosis, treatment, estimates, emergency instructions, prescriptions, records, appointments, and policies directly with CSU or a licensed veterinary professional.

CSU Veterinary Hospital FAQs

These questions focus on address, phone, emergency care, appointments, referrals, records, pharmacy, payments, parking, and service routing for CSU Veterinary Hospital in Fort Collins.

1. What is the phone number for CSU Veterinary Hospital?
The main phone number for CSU Veterinary Hospital / CSU Veterinary Health System is 970-297-5000. Use it for appointments, emergencies, referrals, service routing, and general clinical-care questions.
2. Where is CSU Veterinary Hospital located?
The main Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex is located at 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523. CSU has multiple veterinary facilities, so confirm the exact location before driving.
3. Is CSU Veterinary Hospital open 24/7 for emergencies?
Yes. CSU lists its small animal Emergency and Critical Care service as open 24/7, year-round including holidays. CSU also lists equine emergency and critical care as open 24/7. Call 970-297-5000 ahead when possible.
4. Do I need an appointment at CSU Veterinary Hospital?
For non-emergency clinical care, call 970-297-5000 to schedule an appointment. Some specialty services also offer online appointment request forms. Emergency cases should call ahead and come as directed.
5. Does CSU Veterinary Hospital treat dogs and cats for routine care?
Yes. CSU’s Primary Care service provides routine and wellness care for dogs and cats, including exams, vaccinations, preventive care, parasite control, senior care, dental care, minor illness support, weight management, and euthanasia.
6. Does CSU Veterinary Hospital treat exotic pets?
Yes. CSU lists exotic animal care through its animal-care services, and its small animal emergency page includes exotic pets in emergency and urgent-care guidance. Call 970-297-5000 for routing.
7. How do veterinarians refer a patient to CSU Veterinary Hospital?
Referring veterinarians can use CSU service-specific referral instructions or call 970-297-5000 for routing. Owners should ask their regular veterinarian to send medical records, imaging, lab results, treatment notes, vaccine history, and referral reason before the visit.
8. How do I request medical records from CSU Veterinary Hospital?
Use the client portal for selected finalized records from past visits. For imaging, lab work, older documents, or a full medical record, email Medical Records with the patient name, owner name, phone number, receiving clinic name/email, and insurance information if known.
9. What is the CSU Veterinary Pharmacy phone number?
The CSU Veterinary Pharmacy phone number is 970-297-1291. Use it for prescription refills, prescription food, compounded medications, mailing requests, quantity changes, and special pharmacy questions.
10. How does billing work at CSU Veterinary Hospital?
CSU says payment is required at the time of service, and an 80% deposit of the low-end estimate is required before services over $250. Final payment is due at discharge, and additional charges or credits may be applied up to seven days after dismissal.