West Texas Veterinary Specialist is a referral-only, procedure-based outpatient specialty center bringing board-certified veterinary specialty care and advanced diagnostics to West Texas and the surrounding region. Our Lubbock center brings board-certified specialists and advanced diagnostic, imaging, and procedural technology together in one location, allowing advanced testing and procedures to be performed within the context of specialty expertise. Below are answers to common questions about WTVS, our specialty services, and how our referral process works.
About West Texas Veterinary Specialist
What is West Texas Veterinary Specialists?
West Texas Veterinary Specialists (WTVS) is a referral-only veterinary specialty practice providing advanced diagnostics, specialty procedures, and treatment for dogs and cats. WTVS is the only veterinary practice in West Texas with board-certified specialists providing specialty care locally. Our specialty center in Lubbock brings board-certified expertise together with advanced diagnostic, imaging, and procedural capabilities in one location, helping veterinarians and pet owners throughout West Texas and the surrounding region access advanced specialty care closer to home.
What does “board-certified veterinary specialist” mean?
A board-certified veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed extensive postgraduate specialty training and successfully met the credentialing and examination requirements of a recognized veterinary specialty college. Board certification represents advanced training and expertise within a specific area of veterinary medicine. At WTVS, this expertise allows our specialists to evaluate complex medical problems, perform advanced diagnostics and procedures within their disciplines, and translate those findings into clinically relevant recommendations for the referring veterinarian.
Why does it matter that WTVS combines specialists with advanced diagnostic technology?
Advanced technology is only one part of reaching a diagnosis. The expertise used to select, perform, interpret, and apply the findings is equally important. At WTVS, advanced diagnostic and procedural capabilities are integrated with the expertise of board-certified veterinary specialists. Our specialists can evaluate findings in the context of the patient’s medical history, laboratory results, clinical condition, and other diagnostic information—not simply perform a test and provide a result. When appropriate, the specialist can also determine whether additional imaging, sampling, or another advanced procedure may help answer the clinical question and provide the referring veterinarian with clinically relevant findings and recommendations for the next steps in the patient’s care. This combination of specialty expertise and advanced technology in one center is a central part of the WTVS model.
Is WTVS an emergency or 24-hour hospital?
No. West Texas Veterinary Specialists is an outpatient specialty referral center, not an emergency or 24-hour veterinary hospital. We do not provide walk-in emergency care, overnight hospitalization, or intensive care. Patients requiring those services should be evaluated at an appropriate emergency or critical-care facility.
Referrals & Scheduling
Does my pet need a referral, and can I schedule directly?
Yes. All patients require referral from a veterinarian. Pet owners cannot initiate or schedule specialty services directly.Your veterinarian submits the referral along with the relevant medical history, diagnostic results, and the specific service or procedure being requested.Our specialty team reviews the referral before contacting you regarding scheduling.This allows us to confirm that the requested service is appropriate and determine whether any additional information is needed before your pet’s visit.
Do all pets need a specialty consultation first?
No. WTVS is a procedure-based specialty referral center, and many patients are referred for a specific advanced diagnostic service, procedure, or treatment rather than an initial specialty consultation.If review of the case indicates that a separate specialty consultation would be beneficial or necessary, our team will discuss this with the referring veterinarian before scheduling.
Where will my pet’s procedure or diagnostic service take place?
Services are performed at the West Texas Veterinary Specialists outpatient specialty center in Lubbock, which is designed specifically for referral-based specialty care, advanced imaging, diagnostics, and outpatient procedures.
How long will my pet be at WTVS?
The length of your pet’s visit depends on the diagnostic test, procedure, treatment, and whether sedation or anesthesia is required. Some patients may be with us for only a portion of the day, while others undergoing advanced imaging, anesthesia, endoscopy, surgery, or other procedures may remain with us for much of the day. Our team will provide specific instructions after the referral has been reviewed and the procedure is scheduled.
Specialty Services
What specialty services does WTVS provide?
West Texas Veterinary Specialists provides referral-based specialty services including:
- Internal Medicine
- Specialty Surgery
- Oncology
- CT & Advanced Imaging
- Ultrasound & Echocardiography
- Endoscopy
- Laparoscopy
- Fluoroscopy
Please make each service above a clean inline link to its respective Specialty Services page.
Does WTVS provide overnight hospitalization?
No. WTVS is an outpatient specialty center and does not provide overnight hospitalization or intensive care. Patients undergoing diagnostic or procedural care are monitored during their visit and discharged when medically appropriate. If a patient’s condition or planned procedure requires overnight or intensive monitoring, appropriate options will be discussed before proceeding.
Working with your primary veterinarian
Does WTVS replace my pet’s primary veterinarian?
No. Our role is to complement—not replace—your primary veterinarian.Your veterinarian remains at the center of your pet’s ongoing care. WTVS provides access to board-certified specialty expertise, advanced diagnostics, and specialized procedures that may not otherwise be available locally.Findings, diagnostic results, and recommendations are communicated back to the referring veterinarian so they can be incorporated into your pet’s ongoing care.
What happens after my pet’s procedure?
Our specialists evaluate the findings and communicate the results and recommendations to your referring veterinarian. In most cases, your pet then returns to their primary veterinarian for continued management. If additional specialty procedures or follow-up at WTVS are recommended, our team will coordinate those recommendations with your veterinarian.
For Referring Veterinarians
How do I refer a patient?
Veterinarians can submit a referral through our online referral portal, including the relevant medical records, diagnostic results, and the specific diagnostic service, procedure, or treatment being requested.Once the referral has been reviewed by our specialty team, WTVS will contact the pet owner regarding scheduling.Button: Refer a Patient
Can I refer a patient for a specific procedure without transferring management of the case?
Yes. This is a central part of the WTVS referral model.WTVS is designed to give primary care veterinarians access to board-certified specialty expertise, advanced diagnostics, and specialized procedures while allowing the referring veterinarian to remain at the center of the patient’s ongoing care.Patients may be referred for a specific diagnostic service or procedure, with findings and recommendations communicated back to the referring veterinarian for continued management.
Still have questions?
For additional information about what happens after a referral is submitted, please visit our What to Expect page.