Emergency veterinary care can be costly, but planning ahead allows you to make decisions about your pet's care based on their needs rather than financial restrictions. Today, we look at the cost of emergency vet care, and how to be ready if your pet needs emergency treatment.
Pet Emergencies
Whether it's a sudden illness, an accident, or a troubling change in behavior, pet emergencies can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. While no pet parent wants to think about their dog or cat needing emergency care, being prepared for these situations is crucial.
The Unpredictable Nature of Pet Emergencies
Pet emergencies are inherently unpredictable. One moment your dog or cat might be happily chasing a toy, and the next, they could be limping in pain, vomiting or experiencing a sudden bout of diarrhea. These situations demand veterinary attention. During regular business hours your primary care veterinarian may be able to see your pet for an urgent or emergency appointment, but pet emergencies often occur after hours or on weekends or holidays when an emergency vet is the only option.
Unlike routine vet visits, which can be planned and budgeted for, or included as part of a pet wellness plan, emergency visits come with little to no warning. This unpredictability can add additional emotional and financial strain to an already stressful situation, especially if the emergency necessitates a visit to an after-hours clinic, where costs are typically higher.
So, how much does an emergency vet visit cost? Let's break it down.
Understanding The High Price of Emergency Veterinary Care
Emergency vet costs vary widely depending on multiple factors. We are unable to provide precise dollar amounts, but strongly suggest that you contact your local emergency animal hospital to learn more about their fees.
That said, we can take this opportunity to explain some of the many factors that influence the cost of emergency veterinary care:
- Emergency hospitals are staffed with people working late shifts, holidays and weekends. These shifts are difficult on the body and can be especially challenging for people with children. As such, higher wages are often paid to staff working these hours, in order to ensure that qualified professionals are on-site and ready to help when your pet needs them most.
- Overheads are also higher for emergency hospitals operating 24/7. When a business is open all day, every day, basic bills such as electricity and water are bound to be higher.
- Location is also a key factor. If the emergency vet is located in a busy and expensive city the cost of leasing or buying the property will likely be higher than that of a small-town emergency animal hospital. Real estate prices are a major factor in the price differences between city and rural hospitals across the country.
- Emergency veterinary staff deal with the most complex health issues faced by pets. From car accidents to intestinal blockages, asthma and heart issues, emergency veterinary professionals are ready for anything. Treating these very sick animals requires advanced training, skill and immense emotional fortitude. Many emergency vets have studied advanced emergency care and are board-certified specialists in the field.
- Technology and testing equipment at emergency hospitals tend to be more advanced than that of standard veterinary clinics. Ultrasounds, MRIs, CTs, oxygen cages, and other equipment are very expensive to buy and may require specialized skills to operate. These technologies can provide life-saving insights in emergency situations but certainly come at a cost.
- The severity of your pet's condition, the equipment used to make a fast and accurate diagnosis, and the complexity of treatment will all play a key role in determining the cost of your dog or cat's emergency care. Needless to say, if surgery is required the cost of your pet's emergency care will likely increase substantially.
- Your pet's age, overall health and size also influence the cost of emergency veterinary care. Larger pets are more expensive to treat than smaller pets, and pets with underlying health conditions may require more care than those without underlying conditions.
Common Emergency Vet Procedures
The more services that are required to diagnose and treat your beloved pet, the higher the bill is going to be. The bill for your pet's care may include:
- Emergency exam
- Basic blood work
- Basic X-ray or ultrasound imaging
- Overnight hospitalization
- Emergency surgery
Ask your emergency team for an estimate in order to understand what the bill for your pet's emergency care is likely to be. While a basic emergency examination may be comparable to that of a routine vet appointment, other services can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. Your veterinarian can run through the estimate, answer any questions you may have, explain the various fees, and (in some cases) may be able to suggest lower-cost alternatives to recommended diagnostics or treatments.
Preparing for The Unpredictable Cost of Emergency Veterinary Care
Being prepared for a pet emergency is about more than just having the funds available, it's about ensuring that you can make the best possible decisions for your pet's health without the added burden of financial stress. When you're prepared, you can focus on your pet's needs, explore all treatment options, and choose the best course of action with confidence.
Here are a few ways to prepare for and manage unexpected veterinary expenses:
Dedicated Savings Account - From the day you first adopt your four-legged family member, open an account specifically dedicated to veterinary expenses and set up an automatic deposit, so the account gradually builds. Putting money aside weekly, bi-weekly or monthly will soon add up and give you the financial cushion you need if an emergency strikes.
Sign Up for Pet Insurance: Pet insurance is designed to cover a significant portion of emergency care costs, and treatment for chronic illnesses such as cancer or diabetes. The precise dollar amount or percentage of cost will depend upon the policy you choose, so be sure to read the details carefully before signing on the dotted line. Contact the insurance company if you have any questions. Make sure you fully understand the policy's coverage limits, exclusions, and deductibles before signing up.
Financing Options: Many veterinarians who provide urgent or emergency care offer financing to help pet parents cope with the expense of emergency veterinary care. At Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital, we offer CareCredit to help pet parents give their beloved dogs and cats the care they need without the additional worry of how they will pay for it.
Veterinary Payment Plans: Although rare, some veterinary clinics are able to offer in-house payment plans, allowing pet parents to pay off the cost of treatment over time. If you are unable to get your pet the care they need due to financial concerns, discuss this option with your vet during the initial consultation.
One Final Note About Emergency Veterinary Care
Emergency teams see multiple pets with life-threatening health issues every day. Helping these very sick dogs and cats, and offering support and reassurance to distraught pet parents is a part of the emotional rollercoaster these professionals deal with every day. While recoveries are celebrated there are also tragic losses to deal with. Please be kind to your emergency vet team and treat staff with the respect they deserve, they are working hard to help you and your pet feel better.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. Please make an appointment with your vet to accurately diagnose your pet's condition.
