I remember getting Staples, my Weimaraner, about six years ago, and we used to do everything together. While playtime is always fun, I learned a lot about taking care of a pet when she was suddenly diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Having gone through that, I often have new pet parents ask me how much an emergency vet costs.
Usually, it depends on the type of injury the pet faces and the size of the pet. For example, the surgery cost for your small dog might be much less in comparison to a big dog. But the starting cost is nothing less than $150. However, those are not the only factors that determine the price of the total cost.
Hi – My name is Pete, and if you are worried about sudden costs for your pet’s medical requirements, this informative guide can help. I gained a lot of knowledge on cost and savings for a pet when researching for Staples. Today, I am putting together this guide to help anyone who has a pet.
What Constitutes As An Emergency
Now, you don’t always have to rush to the hospital for every minor inconvenience that your pet faces. Most of the issues they face can be taken care of at home. In fact, take a look at online vets on Pawp to get a better idea of why your pet is suffering.
A common problem that might make you rush to the vet is any gastrointestinal issue. If your pet is puking or has diarrhea, it constitutes an emergency 100%. However, it is essential to remember that issues like puking and diarrhea are only an emergency if they happen more than once or twice.
Like in humans, one odd episode of your pet suffering from a stomach bug does not mean anything. But, if the issue persists and your pet continues to suffer, it is best to get some medical care. In such situations, they will receive proper treatment and possibly IV fluids as well.
The next most common issue is your pet ingesting something that does not belong in its stomach. While Staples is usually quite well-behaved, even as a pup, my friend Irene’s pet, Bruno, was not. He used to eat anything that fell on the floor and one day ended up consuming her daughter’s toy. Needless to say, little Bruno ended up in emergency medical care.
Lastly, any kind of trauma to your pet will need you to take them to the emergency room. Sometimes, pets face trauma due to accidents during their walk or while playing, which requires immediate medical attention.
Costs For Emergency Pet Care
While searching on Pawp and other websites that offer pet insurance, I realized the cost of these treatments could range from $200 to $8,000. This is because many factors can increase costs like consultation, checkups, medication, follow-up treatments, etc.
One of the most common reasons for an increase in the price is the size of the pet and the kind of treatment needed. Apart from that, the kind of vet and even the location of the clinic matter a lot. Let’s look into this in a little more detail.
Size
The height and weight of the dog make a lot of difference in the treatment and the costs incurred. Even age matters as it can be more challenging to treat pets when they are too young or old. All these factors are telltale signs when a professional is trying to find out what is wrong.
Location
When it comes to real estate, location matters – be it a home or a clinic. A pet clinic in a prime and busy city is guaranteed to charge more than what smaller clinics do.
This is not only because the quality of medical care could be higher but because the taxes and rent are also higher. At the end of the day, the clinic will have to charge more to incur profits and pay salaries.
You can search for emergency vets near you with our comprehensive online directory of veterinarians.
Specialized Care
Veterinarians with a specialty degree often charge a lot more than general practitioners. In this regard, medical costs are not that different for pets than it is for humans. Even for a human, a cardiologist or a neurologist will be more expensive to consult as they can diagnose the issue to the T.
Similarly, for pets, vets who are more qualified to diagnose specific issues charge more for their expertise, time, and medical equipment.
How To Tackle Emergencies
It is evident, by now, that no one can foresee an emergency or how much money needs to be used for it. The first piece of advice I would give to anyone is to include your pet’s medical care in the family budget from the day you get them.
On speaking to my mum about how she and my father managed all the pets we had, she mentioned keeping some money aside every month. And it was not just the pets; they set emergency money every month for every member of the family – even if it was just $5.
In addition to budgeting, here are a few more ways to lessen the impact of a hefty medical bill:
Focus On Prevention
Ensuring your pet is on track with their vaccinations, checkups, and any routine medical care is the best way to reduce the chances of emergency care. Of course, no one can predict an unforeseen circumstance, but ensuring your pet is generally healthy lowers the chances of genetic issues.
This is one of the reasons I turn to Pawp most of the time, as it has information on nutrition and vets to speak to at any time. I was able to get a lot of advice after Staples was treated, which helped her get back in shape.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is like any other insurance and covers most accidents and illnesses. On paying a certain amount, the insurance company will reimburse you for the services rendered. The only thing to remember here is that not everything is covered in the policy, so it is best to think it over.
Credit
Not everyone has pet insurance, and some do not want to take it; after all, why keep paying for something that may or may not happen. Instead, there are multiple companies offering credit cards that can be used in case of any pet and medical emergency.
This type of card can cover the medical expenses for you or your pet. Much like any other credit card, the bill will have to be cleared at a later date.
Final Thoughts
With that, I finally conclude this emergency vet costs guide. I hope this has been informative.
Pet care is something I take very seriously, and I know there are many others like me. To everyone looking to provide their pets with the best life, I would like to advise you to look into financial assistance for emergencies in your free time. Additionally, take a look at medical expenses when traveling with pets as well.
On that note, it’s time for me to sign off. I can see Staples getting impatient for a walk as she stands next to my desk. Until next time!
