How to Handle a Pet Emergency After Hours

By Melissa Maroff

Instructions

Step 1:
Keep a copy of your pet’s medical history available, especially rabies vaccinations, in case you have to take your pet to an emergency clinic.
Step 2:
Keep the phone number and address of the closest after-hours veterinary clinic handy. Emergency clinics are normally open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays and from Friday evening through Monday morning. Google “Animal emergency,” “after hours vet" or "after hours pet" plus the name of your city to find emergency clinics near you. Or check Pets 911, a website that features a directory of emergency clinics that you can search by just putting in your zip code (see Resources below).
Step 3:
Have directions to the clinic close by and in an easily accessible or visible spot. This will be invaluable when rushing your sick pet out the door to get care.
Step 4:
If time may be of the essence and the emergency clinic isn’t that close or you are not sure if your pet will actually require emergency treatment, try asking for their advice over the phone first (which they are usually reluctant to give out). Phrase your questions in such a way that you might ascertain whether or not they perceive the situation to be a "dire emergency" or something that can wait until you can make it to your regular vet.
Step 5:
The American Red Cross teaches classes in pet first aid and they also offer pet first aid kits and a reference guide that teaches pet owners how to recognize an emergency, administer medications, perform CPR and first aid and treat common problems and emergencies (see Resources below).
Step 6:
Create your own emergency kit that can include basic supplies such as: gauze pads, rolls and bandages, thermometer, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, Q-tips, instant cold pack and rags/rubber tubing for a tourniquet.
Step 7:
If your pet has a specific medical condition, speak with your vet about possible treatments that you can administer yourself in the event of an emergency. For example, an EpiPen (epinephrine pen) may be good to have on hand if your pet suffers from severe allergic reactions to bee stings.

Tips & Warnings

Although emergency clinics don’t schedule appointments, it’s best to call ahead if possible. It's a good idea to have the clinic's number programmed into your cell and home phones.
Emergency clinics normally have both regular doctors and surgeons on hand to handle any situation that arises.
Brown Dog Foundation and American Animal Hospital Association Helping Pets Fund are organizations that help pet owners in financial need who are facing expensive vet bills in emergency and/or life-threatening situations. As long as you are willing and able to pay a portion of the veterinary bill to save your dog's life, the Brown Dog Foundation will help pay the rest. The AAHA Helping Pets Fund is extended to owners of companion animals who are in financial need (see Resources below for links).
If you suspect your pet has ingested poison, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center offers advice over the phone 24 hours a day, every day of the year. They can be reached at (888) 426-4435. A $60 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.
Emergency clinics are generally higher priced than regular veterinary clinics and require payment at the time of service; they will rarely bill, unless they know you.

Resources

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