It’s something every pet owner hopes they’ll never have to use, their emergency veterinary service. Emergencies do happen though, and it’s important to be prepared for them, if and when they do. Sadly, by their very nature, emergencies aren’t something you can plan for. So how can you be prepared for the unexpected?
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How to be prepared before an emergency happens
The most important thing you can do for your pet’s healthcare is to register at a local veterinary surgery. It’s essential to consider the needs of your pet when doing this. For example, do you require a practice with a cat friendly accreditation? Do you have an exotic pet that needs a veterinary specialist, or at least a vet with an interest in that area?
It’s also important to consider what would happen in an emergency when choosing a vet. It is written in the Code of Professional Conduct for veterinary surgeons that access to 24-hour emergency care must be provided. Although this is a requirement, not all vet practices can give emergency care outside of normal working hours within their own practice; so there is sometimes an external company or vet practice that provides an out of hours service for several veterinary practices in the area.
If your vets don’t provide out of hours care at your normal vets, who does and where is it? It’s important to know how far you would have to go in an emergency. And how you would be able to get there with your pet.
After you have chosen and registered at a veterinary practice, they will provide contact details for an emergency care provider if not provided by themselves. It is important to have this information in an easily accessible place in the event of an emergency.
What to do in the case of an emergency
First, stay calm! Use the contact details for your emergency vets. And if you are unsure call the number of your normal vets and follow the instructions provided on their answerphone. There will either be an extension number that will take you through to the emergency vet line. Or they will give you a separate number to call, so have a pen and paper ready! Once you have spoken to the emergency vet or nurse and have booked an appointment, ensure you have checked the address of where the emergency service is being provided, as it may not be at your normal vets.
What if I’m on holiday and I’m away from my normal vets?
By looking on our “find a vet” page you will be able to find your closest vets wherever you are. As well as their contact details and how far away they are. You can also refine this search by the species of animal you need veterinary care for. By contacting them you will be able to either get an emergency appointment or information on what out of hours service is provided for the clients of that practice. If it is an emergency, any vets that is open will be required to triage your pet and give emergency first aid and pain relief.
How do I know if it is an emergency?
We always recommend that you get veterinary advice if you are unsure if it is an emergency, by contacting your emergency vets, either a vet or a nurse will be able to complete a simple assessment to see if your pet needs to be seen as an emergency. If this is not the case advice can be given over the phone or an appointment can be booked for an in- hours appointment.
Wishing you and your animals a peaceful and emergency-free 2024, from all of us at VetHelpDirect!
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