Small Animal Referral Submission
A referral from a licensed veterinarian is required for all UTCVM small animal specialty services except for the following:
- After-hour Emergency
- Behavior (referral recommended)
- Physical Rehabilitation (referral recommended)
- Zoological Companion Animal
If a patient has been referred to the UT Veterinary Medical Center for the same health concern within the past 12 months, a new referral is not required, regardless of the specialty service to which the patient is being referred. However, we do ask that the referring veterinarian provide updated medical records and any recent diagnostic test results related to the condition being treated.
Submitting a Referral through the rVetLink Portal
Please use the rVetLink Portal to submit electronic referrals to the UT Veterinary Medical Center. This portal streamlines the referral process and provides convenient access to your patients’ medical records. For more information, visit rVetLink Portal registration, login, FAQs.
If you need help setting up the portal account or referring a patient electronically, visit https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/rvetlink/ for step-by-step setup instructions. If you have additional questions or need assistance, email utrvetlink@utk.edu or call UTCVM at 865-974-8387 and ask for the rVetLink Helpline for further assistance.
Pertinent medical history and diagnostic imaging
Please include the following information in the e-referral submission:
- Case history
- Current List of Medications
- Recent Laboratory Results: Include lab work completed within the past six months to one year.
- Most Current Vaccination Record: Provides proof of vaccination and assists in diagnostic evaluation. If a pet is unable to receive vaccines due to an illness or allergy, please include the precluding reason on the referral form.
- Previous Surgeries Related to the Current Complaint
- Radiographs and Imaging (detailed submission instructions below)
Diagnostic images and imaging reports
- Images should pertain to admitting complaint. If anesthesia is required and you have performed recent chest radiographs, please include those as well.
- All images should be in DICOM or high quality JPEG format. Please send original images, not photographs or screenshots.
- Radiographs and images can be attached to your electronic referral, sent directly to our Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) or emailed to vetclientservices@utk.edu. You may request our PACS connection information via phone or email.
- Image submissions are not for radiographic interpretation and should only be submitted as part of a case consultation or referral.
- Please include the name of the pet, client, date or exams and pertinent information for all imaging submitted.
- Google Drive links cannot be retrieved when sent to vetclientservices@utk.edu or other group email addresses and should not be used.
If you have trouble uploading large DICOM files, please contact our Digital Imaging Facilitator for assistance. For copies of diagnostic images or any questions, reach out to the Image Facilitator at 865-974-2223, Radiology at 865-974-5809, or email vetclientservices@utk.edu.
