Our beloved pets can easily fall into a spot of bother as there are varying opportunities for our furry friends to come into danger, in and around the household and outside in their natural habitat. Cats and dogs are curious creatures; we can leave the cupboard door open for just a moment and, before we know it, our pet has come into contact with a harmful substance.
Aside from accidents, like people, dogs and cats can also fall ill suddenly and require urgent and sometimes life-saving treatment that simply cannot wait.
At Animal Trust, we understand how important it is that pets are protected from harm, which is why our aim is to provide affordable and accessible veterinary care for sick and injured animals. Find out more about our values here.
How do I know if my pet needs emergency care?
If in doubt as to whether your pet is unwell, you should always call your local emergency vet for advice so they can help you decide if your pet needs to be seen. However, if they displaying any of the following symptoms, it is almost certain that they will need to see an emergency vet urgently.
What to do if your pet is in an emergency
Under these circumstances, it is incredibly stressful and distressing to see your pet struggling. For the benefit of your pet, the best way to respond is to remain calm and complete the following actions.
How much does an emergency vet visit cost?
For our registered clients, the out of hours supplement is:
- £75 – Bank Holidays and evenings before 11 pm
- £139 – Between 11 pm – 8 am
For non-registered clients, there is an extra £20 emergency supplement to the prices listed above.
We understand that when your pet has been in danger, the last thing on your mind is how much the emergency vet visit is going to cost – you just want your treasured pet to get better and to have a full and successful recovery.
How do emergency vets work?
When you arrive a vet or nurse will normally carry out a basic assessment to understand how serious your pet’s condition is. At busy times there may then be a wait while other patients are treated.
Once the vet has carried out a full assessment, the treatment may be given there and then. You may be sent home with medications, or your pet may need to be admitted for further investigations and treatment.
Just like in human medicine, accident and emergency veterinary services normally operate on a triage basis. This means that the most serious cases, where life-saving treatment may be needed, will be seen before other less critical cases.
For more information on the nearest emergency vets near you, see our emergencies page.
Our top tips for preventing emergency pet accidents
- Ensure household medicines are locked or shut away safely in a cupboard high up with restricted access
- Keep tempting edible hazards out of reach – for example, chocolate and raisins are highly toxic for dogs
- Make sure to wipe up any drips and spills of household products straight away to reduce the risk of your pet ingesting the substance from puddles on the floor or on their paws
- If you’re taking your dog for a walk, always keep your dog on a lead around high traffic areas
- Carry a pet first aid kit in case they come into contact with minor ailments
Don’t forget, if you’re ever in doubt, always contact your local vet for help and advice. Our team of experienced and professional vets will be able to provide information and assist over the phone on the next steps if your pet is in distress.
When registering at Animal Trust, you will have 24/7 access to our local emergency vet clinics, even if the location you have registered with doesn't currently offer emergency care in-house. Register today to benefit from lower emergency treatment costs.
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