Pets

from TOPS Lexington - September 2021

Welcome Home : Fall Front Porches

What to Expect When Going

to the Veterinary ER   A P Administrative Supervisor and Marketing Specialist, Bluegrass Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency

When your pet needs emergency care, it can be gut-wrenching to find that your regular vet is closed with a voice recording referring you to the nearest emergency hospital. To make your emergency visit a little less stressful, here’s what our team says you need to know. one The most critical pets are seen first. Each pet that arrives is triaged by our nursing staff. Their vital signs are evaluated and they are categorized so the most critical patients see the doctor first. two You won’t be allowed in the treatment area. It can be scary to hand your fur baby over to a stranger, but it is common practice in the veterinary ER to bring pets to the treatment area to be evaluated without their owner. The treatment area is filled with life-saving equipment and medications, critically ill pets, and is often hectic making it inappropriate for owners to be present. three Long wait times. Unless your pet’s condition is deemed as critical upon arrival, you’re may experience long wait times to speak to the doctor. Wait times can be upwards of 6-8 hours on busy holidays or weekends. four Ask questions. Once your pet is evaluated by the doctor, a nurse will review an estimate for the cost of diagnostic tests or treatments that the doctor believes will be beneficial in diagnosing and treating your pet’s illness. It’s okay to ask why certain tests are needed and what each recommended medication does. five Higher fees. If you’ve found yourself at an after-hours emergency clinic, prices can be higher than a regular vet visit, especially if your pet’s condition is critical. Take time to review over the estimate with the doctor to create a treatment plan that both benefits your pet and fits with your financial picture. six A referral to a specialist. Sometimes your pet’s illness is more severe than what can be managed by the ER team alone. You may be referred to another department, such as surgery or internal medicine, for further care after the ER team stabilizes your pet.

seven Have compassion for those around you. We know that it can be a stressful and emotional experience when your pet needs critical care, but we ask you to think of all the traumatic cases that may also be present. Understand that there are others sharing this space, also going through traumatic experiences with their pets. Our team is working as fast as they can to provide an excellent standard of care to each pet that walks through the door.

After a visit to the veterinary ER, it is a relief to return home with your pet. It is important to follow up with your primary care veterinarian to let them know what happened. In most cases, they will have already received a detailed copy of notes from our hospital, but it never hurts to double check. We know life is unpredictable and everyone hopes to not need an emergency clinic, but being informed can help make the experience a little easier!