About Us

Thank you for choosing the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) for your veterinary medical needs. We look forward to seeing you and your animal/s. The following information will help make your visit go more smoothly. Here are the answers to some questions you may have.

How do I get to the VMC and where do I park?
The Veterinary Medical Center's Large Animal Hospital is located at 1352 Boyd Avenue on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. The campus is just west of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The St. Paul campus is small, easy to navigate and offers ample parking. It is easy to access from Highways 94, 280, 35, and 36. Click here for a map. For recorded directions, call 612-624-1270.

What do I need to do on the day of my visit?
Please bring your animal/s to the VMC about 10 minutes before the agreed-upon time. When you check in, the VMC staff will give you a parking permit that allows you to park free outside the clinic. Please check in at the Large Animal Clinic Office before unloading your animal. VMC staff are available to help you unload your animal.

You'll need to bring a copy of your animal's medical record and radiographs (if appropriate) to your appointment. You also can be of great help during the medical evaluation by providing important information about your animal's medical history, diet, physical activities, or any other recent changes that you have noticed.

What if my animal is hospitalized?
We encourage you to visit for up to an hour between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily. We limit visitation time so we can focus on providing care to your animal and give it time to heal. Click here for a list of area restaurants and nearby accommodations.

You may have questions about your animal during its hospitalization or after discharge. Please call us as needed at 612-625-6700 and ask to speak with the veterinarian assigned to your case. Please be prepared to give us your animal's six-digit case number.

When you leave the VMC, your veterinarian will provide you with instructions about home care, medications, follow-up examinations, or other post-discharge details. Please make certain that you understand and carefully observe the instructions. They are an important component of your animal's overall treatment program.

What is the VMC's billing and payment policy?
We seek to keep you updated on the costs of care for your animal. If your animal is hospitalized, you will be given a cost estimate for at least the first 24 hours of care. This initial estimate may change if your animal needs more care or testing. Your doctor will update your estimate daily, if needed. If you do not receive this information, please ask your veterinarian to explain costs.

The VMC requires a payment of 75 percent of the initial hospitalization estimate before we can provide care. If extra services or testing are needed, we will require further payments before providing the additional care. You must pay the remaining balance in full upon discharge. If your animal is receiving outpatient care only, you must pay the bill as you leave. Payment options include cash, checks, credit cards, CareCredit, or Wells Fargo loans.

What if I can't afford to pay?
The VMC operates as a business, with the state of Minnesota covering less than nine percent of our budget. Our board-certified specialists and diagnostic equipment mean that our fees are often higher than those of smaller clinics. We make every effort to charge reasonable fees and will work with you to find ways to pay, but we cannot treat your animal without payment.

Who do I call if I have additional questions?
Call our front office at 612-625-6700.

Thank you for placing your trust in the VMC. We will do everything we can to provide compassionate, quality care, and service for you and your animal.