Get to know what to expect when taking your pet to the ER
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Pet emergencies, such as accidents or poisoning, can happen without warning. As much as it is frightening to see your pet in pain, responding quickly and calmly is the key to positive outcomes. First, however, it is vital to understand what happens during pet emergencies. The knowledge will help pet parents avoid any unexpected situations in emergencies.
Pet Owners Are Required To Fill Out Paperwork
- Although filling out hospital forms while your pet is in pain can be frustrating, it is essential to ensure that your pet receives the proper care and treatment. Providing necessary information about your pet’s age, vaccine, medical history, symptoms, and current medications helps avoid administering any medication that could negatively affect your pet’s treatment.
In addition, the veterinary team needs to know if your pet should be resuscitated in case of cardiac arrest. Fortunately, many necessary forms can now be completed online to save precious time. Once the veterinarian has assessed your pet, a staff member will explain the recommended treatment plan and an estimate of the costs involved.
There’s A Waiting List
- Like in human ERs, multiple patients wait to be examined when you arrive at a vet hospital. This can result in waiting before an emergency veterinarian sees your pet. Emergency veterinary hospitals use a triage system to ensure each pet receives prompt and appropriate care. A member of the nursing staff assesses each pet’s condition and prioritizes treatment based on the severity of their condition.
This means that the most critically ill or injured pets will be seen and treated first, resulting in a longer wait time for pets with less severe conditions. While waiting for your pet to be treated can be stressful, the system ensures that all pets receive the care they need promptly and efficiently.
Treatment In The ER
- When a pet goes into the ER, a team of trained veterinary professionals experienced in handling emergencies will take care of the rest. Veterinary technicians, nurses, and emergency veterinarians work together to provide compassionate and systematic care for your pet. The emergency treatment process may begin with emergency resuscitation or oxygen therapy followed by an intravenous (IV) catheter, if necessary.
Next, an IV catheter is placed to quickly and easily administer emergency medications or fluids. After the treatment, your pet is placed in a comfortable cage labeled with its name, where the vital signs are regularly monitored. Next, diagnostic workups, such as blood tests or X-rays, may be performed to help identify the cause of the illness. In the meantime, the veterinary team may also administer IV antibiotics or pain medication to manage your pet’s symptoms and improve its comfort.
Update On Your Pet’s Condition
- Due to the high volume of patients, it can be challenging for the emergency veterinarian to communicate directly with every pet owner. Therefore, the veterinary technician or receptionist usually calls you with updates instead of the emergency veterinarian.
The veterinary staff is responsible for monitoring and caring for hospitalized patients and communicating with pet owners about their pet’s condition, treatment plan, and any updates regarding their pet’s progress. On the other hand, the emergency veterinarian is responsible for continuously evaluating incoming emergencies, making diagnoses, and creating treatment plans.
Cost Of The Emergency Care
Emergency veterinary care is generally more expensive than regular veterinary care. The advanced diagnostic tools and 24/7 monitoring to provide immediate care require more time and resources, which makes emergency care slightly more expensive. However, there are multiple payment options, and short-term loans make the payment convenient.
At Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center, we provide you with the best urgent care services that keep your pets healthy and happy, especially in the case of an emergency. We offer our veterinary services in the city of Charlottesville, VA. To book an appointment, contact us on our number 434-971-9800.
