So my dog had a health scare last night, and I was debating whether I should take him to the ER vet. It got me thinking… when is it actually necessary to rush to an emergency vet? Also, how do you even find one at 2 a.m.? Anyone else had to deal with this?
Yeah, I’ve been there. If your pet is lethargic, in pain, bleeding a lot, or having trouble breathing, you should go ASAP. Stuff like seizures or eating something toxic is also an emergency.
Skyler said:
Yeah, I’ve been there. If your pet is lethargic, in pain, bleeding a lot, or having trouble breathing, you should go ASAP. Stuff like seizures or eating something toxic is also an emergency.
Makes sense. What about vomiting a lot? My dog threw up a few times but then seemed okay.
@Rowan
Excessive vomiting can be bad, especially if they’re not drinking water. If it’s just once or twice, I’d watch them, but if it keeps happening, I’d go in.
ER vets are basically specialists for critical cases. They handle the serious stuff like trauma, major illnesses, and life-threatening conditions.
Rowan said:
ER vets are basically specialists for critical cases. They handle the serious stuff like trauma, major illnesses, and life-threatening conditions.
So they’re different from regular vets?
@Rowan
Yeah, they deal with emergencies only. Regular vets do general checkups, vaccines, and non-urgent treatments.
Finding one in the middle of the night is stressful. I usually just Google ‘emergency vet near me’ and check reviews. Some places like Vester offer 24/7 virtual vet consults too.
Ren said:
Finding one in the middle of the night is stressful. I usually just Google ‘emergency vet near me’ and check reviews. Some places like Vester offer 24/7 virtual vet consults too.
Didn’t know about virtual vets… that’s cool. Do they actually help, though?
@Rowan
Depends on the issue. They can guide you on whether you actually need to rush in or if it can wait till morning.
Pro tip: Always call ahead. They’ll tell you what to bring, like stool or urine samples. Also, having your pet’s medical records helps a lot.
Neve said:
Pro tip: Always call ahead. They’ll tell you what to bring, like stool or urine samples. Also, having your pet’s medical records helps a lot.
Good to know. Do ER vets usually keep pets overnight?
@Rowan
Depends. If it’s serious (like hit by a car), they might. Otherwise, they try to send them home once stable.
ER vets are expensive. The visit alone costs more than a normal vet, plus x-rays, blood work, etc. Be ready to pay upfront.
Skye said:
ER vets are expensive. The visit alone costs more than a normal vet, plus x-rays, blood work, etc. Be ready to pay upfront.
Yikes. Does pet insurance cover this?
Skye said:
ER vets are expensive. The visit alone costs more than a normal vet, plus x-rays, blood work, etc. Be ready to pay upfront.
Yikes. Does pet insurance cover this?
Some do! Spot Pet Insurance covers ER visits if they’re eligible. Always check with your provider, though.