Emergency veterinarians are specifically trained to help your during an pet emergency when seconds count. There are a few factors that distinguish emergency vets from other vets:
- They typically work in a hospital or ER setting with appropriately trained staff and specific equipment
- They treat cases that are severe, life-threatening or time-sensitive
- They’re trained to treat a wide variety of emergency conditions
While your family veterinarian is your main point of contact for your pet’s overall health, emergency vets act as an extension of the care available to your pet.
When your primary care vet isn’t available and the situation can’t wait, an emergency vet can help.
What is an emergency veterinarian?
Because pet emergencies come in all varieties, emergency vets are uniquely trained to diagnose and treat all types of critical concerns.
A few factors that distinguish emergency vets from their peers in other areas of medicine include:
Conditions they treat
ER vets treat severe and life-threatening cases, so they’re experts at thinking quickly and stabilizing pets when the clock is ticking.
They treat any timely situation that comes through the ER doors, including:
- Trauma like being hit by a car or animal attacks
- Broken bones
- Severe reaction or allergy to bites or stings
- Ingestion of poison or a toxic substance
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal foreign body (your pet swallowed something they can’t digest)
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty urinating
- Heatstroke
- Gastric dilatation and volvulus or GDV
Some ER veterinarians undergo emergency-specific training and internships, like BluePearl’s EmERge program. This intensive, hands-on training program prepares veterinarians to deliver compassionate, life-saving care in the ER for common pet emergencies – and the unexpected.
Availability
Pets can become ill or injured at any time, including when you can’t see your family veterinarian.
Emergency vets work around the clock, and they’re available during “off” hours like:
- Nights
- Weekends
- Holidays
Many emergency vets work in hospitals that are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Also, emergency vets typically accept walk-ins, so you don’t need to schedule an appointment in advance (though it’s a good idea to call ahead and let them know you’re coming).
Technology and medications
Because ER vets treat a range of serious and complex conditions, they have access to an array of advanced technology, diagnostic tools and treatment options, including:
- Advanced diagnostics. Your ER vet may order a CT or MRI scan to get a more detailed view of your pet’s condition. They can also perform scoping procedures like endoscopy, measure specific blood parameters beyond routine testing, check oxygenation status, and more.
- Specialized treatments. They can administer specific medications to treat concerns like poison ingestion or bites from venomous animals. They can also deliver treatments like blood transfusions, IV fluids, oxygen therapy and cardiac stabilization or resuscitation.
Hospital setting
Emergency vets typically work in hospitals specifically designed to manage severe cases and an unpredictable caseload.
Features you’ll find in the ER include:
- Intensive care units. Similar to ICUs in human medicine, veterinary ICUs (sometimes referred to as critical care units) support the most critically ill pets with advanced monitoring and care.
- Surgical suites. Some veterinary emergencies require timely surgery, so the ER is equipped with surgical suites, anesthesia monitoring and more.
- Treatment area. The treatment area in the back is where ER vets triage and treat their patients with the support of veterinary technicians and assistants, as well as other vets.
- The veterinary ER has a wide variety of medications available to stabilize and treat your pet, as well as manage their pain and symptoms.
You’ll also find fixtures that are similar to your family veterinarian’s office, like a waiting area and exam rooms.
Training
Emergency vets think and act quickly for all cases they treat, and they build this skill through extensive training specifically in emergency medicine.
They go through training and internships where they’re immersed in the ER setting and mentored by more senior ER vets to develop skills like:
- Emergency surgery for life-threatening conditions
- Diagnostics for all types of concerns
- Critical care and patient stabilization
- Communicating with clients during scary and difficult times
How do emergency vets work with other vets?
Emergency veterinarians practice collaborative medicine – meaning they partner with other clinicians (including specialists) to promote your pet’s overall health.
Similar to human medicine, your ER vet’s goal is to diagnose your pet’s condition and stabilize them through treatment and therapies.
Next, they’ll likely refer you to other clinicians to continue your pet’s care and prevent future emergencies, like:
Your family veterinarian
Your emergency vet is part of your pet’s care team by providing around-the-clock accessibility and treating urgent or critical conditions. Understanding that your pet’s family veterinarian is your main point of contact, your ER vet will send them a summary of your pet’s visit.
They’ll also likely recommend you follow up with your family vet so they can continue care if needed and promote your pet’s overall health and wellness.
Specialty veterinarians
If your pet is diagnosed with a complex or chronic condition, your ER vet will refer you to a veterinary specialist with expertise in that particular area of medicine. ER vets commonly refer patients to specialists like:
- Cardiologists
- Dermatologists
- Internists
- Neurologists and neurosurgeons
- Oncologists
- Ophthalmologists
- Surgeons (for non-emergency surgeries)
Emergency vets often work in multi-specialty hospitals where these specialists are available under the same roof, including criticalists who work in the ICU and are trained to care for patients with complex and life-threatening conditions.
How do I get my pet seen by an emergency vet?
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, locate your closest emergency vet and bring your pet in immediately.
If you’re not sure where to find a local emergency vet, consider these two options:
- Ask your family veterinarian. They can advise where to go when their office is closed, if they don’t have appointment availability, or if the situation is critical.
- Search online. Look for “emergency vets near me” and research your options. Remember to check their hours and make sure they’re open.
Call ahead and let them know you’re coming. They may ask a few questions about your pet’s situation or advise next steps.
Carefully and safely transport your pet to the ER, where an emergency vet can help provide the timely care they need.
