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How to prepare for a trip to the emergency pet hospital

Preston at the Vet
Written by Rachel Phelps

My pals at a local vet hospital sent me this great information on what your rents should think about when finding a pet hospital/emergency vet, and how to get us there safely.  I had to go to an emergency hospital just month due to an allergic reaction.  I am glad my rents had a solid plan in place ahead of time for me!

Many pet owners do not put a lot of thought into taking their pets to an emergency pet hospital . Some simply do not think that there could be a problem. Others may assume that if their animal gets sick or injured, there will be some service available to take care of the pet. Unfortunately, some pet owners get a wakeup call when their animal becomes seriously ill. In the haste and emotion of the situation, they may be a little lost as to what to do. Here are some ideas that can help pet owners take care of their beloved furry friends in case of an emergency.

 Find a Local Pet Hospital

Although a pet owner may never need to visit a clinic, if the need arises, he or she will not want to take the time to choose a clinic or to find how to drive there. Here are some ways to choose and compare clinics:

  • Emergency hours – find if there is a vet available 24 hours a day, weekends, and holidays.
  • Costs – a schedule of costs can give owners the fee structures of a clinic, and prepare them for emergency costs. In particular, owners can pay attention to circumstantial charges like grooming and nail trimming, medical costs such as getting regular shots, spaying, or declawing, and emergency costs, the charge for bring in an animal during off-hours.
  • Distance – owners will want to minimize distance, and perhaps ensure that the office is in an area that is safe at night.

Some pet owners like the strategy of “try before you buy”. They check out clinics by bringing their pet in for a checkup, finding how the vet treats his or her “patients”, and discover any potential problems. In this way, if there is an emergency, both the owner and the pet know where to go and are familiar with both the office and the vet.

 Transportation

Often, the most difficult part of visiting the vet is bringing the animal to and from the office. Many laissez faire owners simply plan to carry their pets in their arms. This could be a bad strategy if pet owners find themselves on their own. Some dogs are trained to travel well in vehicles. On the other hand, most cats can be a challenge to bring to the animal hospital. Once they have received a painful injection at the clinic, they often rebel vigorously at any attempt to get them into a car.

Owners can prepare themselves to bring their animals to the clinic by getting a good carrier. Granted, a carrier can be like a wedding dress: a big expense for a single use. However, like a wedding dress, the carrier can be essential. Owners should choose one that is comfortable for the animal, but limits their movement. They should also prepare for the following:

Noise – even the most stalwart pet owners can have troubling dealing with a yowling pet after several minutes. Within the limits of driving safety, owners should have ear plugs handy

  • Urination – many animals react to the stress of a car ride by “peeing their pants”. Owners can prepare the carriers for this problem.
  • Frantic behavior – even the best-tempered animals can scratch and bite when they are in pain, or frightened by the car. Owners should plan to be patient but firm.

By preparing for emergencies, pet owners will be in the best position to take care of their animals quickly and smoothly.

About the author

Rachel Phelps

Rachel Phelps, “America’s Pet Parent,” is an award-winning writer, photographer, and certified dog trainer. She keeps busy managing the career of her Internet celebrity dog Preston from Preston Speaks. Her three Westies — who think they are mini-humans — and three cats rule the house. To learn more about Rachel go to: Rachel Phelps Website

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