Urgent care need not be traumatic: Prepare now

None of us like to think about our pets needing emergency care but, should the unthinkable happen, it's best to be prepared. One of the biggest challenges pet owners face is determining what does and doesn't require emergency care. While some issues are obvious about needing immediate medical care, others may be more subtle. Unfortunately, waiting too long to make a decision about seeking medical care could be the difference between life and death for your pet. By doing a little planning before an emergency happens, you can help save your pet's life.

Find an emergency vet

Before you need to use an emergency vet, it's best to know where to find the closest one to your home. Keep their phone number and directions somewhere easily accessible or store them in your phone so you are not scrambling for them if an emergency arises.

Know your regular vet's special services

Some vets offer special services for their clients beyond their normal operating hours. My vet's office, for example, offers a special phone line that's open until 10 p.m. where clients can get advice on medical situations. Your vet may offer a similar service.

Recognize the signs

When you see the following symptoms in your pet, don't waste time wondering what to do next - get to the vet immediately.

- Any sort of trauma from a fall or accident

- Difficulty breathing or open-mouth panting in cats

- Difficulty standing or paralysis

- Loss of consciousness

- Seizures

- Excessive bleeding

Call ahead

While you do not need an appointment during an emergency situation, calling ahead to the vet's office will help the staff be prepared for your pet as soon as you arrive. Your vet will be able to instruct you on how to care for your pet until you get to the office and may even send you directly to an emergency vet clinic.

Dealing with the cost

For many people, the exorbitant cost of going to the emergency vet is enough to make them wait longer than they should before seeking medical care for their pet. Do your research ahead of time and find out whether your local emergency vet offers payment plans or the opportunity to register for Care Credit right then and there should an emergency occur.

Another option to help with the high costs of emergency veterinary care is pet insurance. While insurance will cover many illnesses, accidents, and injuries, remember that there are other things it will not cover, like pre-existing conditions. Talk to your vet about pet insurance to see if it would be worthwhile for your pets.

Hopefully, you will never need to seek emergency medical care for your pet. Should the unthinkable occur, though, you will be grateful that you took the time now to plan ahead.

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, a cat, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.