Your Partner in Veterinary Excellence 

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Refer a Patient

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Call to Book
an Appointment

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Thank you for choosing Bridger Veterinary Specialists & Emergency as your partner in veterinary specialty care. We strive for the highest level of communication throughout the diagnostic and treatment process. 

Compassionate and Collaborative Care


Your patients and clients are of great importance to us, and we will treat them as the individuals they are by providing excellence and compassion every step of the way. Through careful collaboration, we are able to provide specialty services that can meet the needs of complex cases. We will complement previous diagnostic and treatment programs to create a continuum of care.

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Referral FAQ

  • How do I refer a patient?

    Referrals can be submitted through our online portal, by email to info@bvspets.com, or by phone (406) 548-4226. Please include relevant medical records, diagnostics, imaging, and a brief summary of the case to help us triage and coordinate care efficiently.

  • What information should I send with the referral?

    We recommend including patient history, current medications, recent lab work, imaging, and any specific questions or goals for the consultation.

  • How quickly will my patient be seen?

    Urgent and emergent cases are prioritized and can often be seen the same day. For non-urgent specialty consultations, our team works to schedule appointments as promptly as possible based on service availability.

  • Will you communicate findings and updates?

    Yes, we prioritize timely and thorough communication. You will receive a consultation summary, diagnostic results, and treatment recommendations, and our clinicians are always available for direct discussion as needed.

  • Will you continue care or return the patient to me?

    Our goal is to partner with you. We provide advanced diagnostics and specialty care, then transition patients back to you for ongoing management whenever appropriate. Continued specialty follow-up is available based on the patient’s needs and your preference.

  • Can I consult with a specialist before referring?

    Absolutely. We welcome collegial collaboration, and are happy to discuss cases prior to referral to help determine next steps or whether a specialty consult is indicated.

  • What services do you offer?

    We provide a range of specialty services along with 24/7 emergency and critical care. Please contact us or visit our website for a full list of services and specialties.

  • Do you provide estimates for clients?

    Yes, we provide detailed estimates and review all diagnostic and treatment options with clients to support informed decision-making.

  • How are emergencies handled?

    Our emergency service is available 24/7. Patients can be referred directly or sent through immediately in urgent situations. Calling ahead is appreciated so we can prepare for arrival.

  • Can my client contact you directly?

    Yes, once a referral is initiated, clients may contact us directly to schedule or ask questions. We strive to make the process as seamless as possible for both you and your client.

  • Who do I contact with questions about a referral?

    Our team is always available to assist. Please call or email us, and we’ll connect you directly with the appropriate service or specialist.

What to Expect Prior to Surgery

We welcome your inquiries and consultation prior to referral. We will evaluate your radiographs and other diagnostics to complete the right treatment protocol. No charges will incur when only verbal reporting is conducted. Should a pet require surgery, we offer expedited or same-day surgeries.


A CBC, biochemical profile and UA (+/- culture) are indicated for most elective orthopedic patients. Thoracic radiology is sometimes recommended for patients with cancer, or those that are over the age of 8 years. A critical evaluation of the skin is very important to prevent cancellation on the day of surgery due to pyoderma. For cases being referred for joint replacement, we will need digital radiographs to have a calibration marker, so most will need to be repeated.

Your clients may call us at (406) 548-4226 or email us at info@bvspets.com to schedule a consultation. You may also create an account through our online portal to refer patients to us. This can be found by visiting https://bvspets.rvetlink.com/ or by clicking on the Referral Login tab.


NOTE: Bridger Veterinary Specialists & Emergency is a fax-free hospital. We only accept emailed records, or your clients may hand carry hard copy radiographs and written records if you are unable to scan/email.

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Pricing Guidelines

Pricing is based on complexity of and time spent in surgery or other procedure. It is our position to overestimate fees and refund accordingly. We prefer to keep patients overnight for their safety and comfort, but can provide at home post-operative or post-procedural care instructions per the client's request if the pet is deemed safe for discharge. Please call us to discuss expenses, as it is our goal to keep costs affordable for our pet families.

TPLO Radiographs

Medial to Lateral Radiograph
PA Radiograph

Post Procedure

You will be provided with the complete discharge instructions and summary of care given to the client. While it is our preference to see the client during the recovery period, if distance doesn't allow, we can provide radiographs and interpretation via email free of charge. We request a follow-up radiograph 6-8 weeks after surgery.

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