When do you need emergency vet care? Emergency veterinary care is necessary when your pet experiences life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing, significant bleeding, seizures, or trauma. While 25% of pet parents require emergency vet visits annually, knowing which symptoms require immediate attention can help you make informed decisions when every moment matters.
What to Know Before an Emergency Vet Visit
Few experiences are more frightening than watching your pet in distress and wondering if they need emergency care. The uncertainty alone—is this serious enough? should I wait?—adds to the stress of seeing your companion in pain. Add concerns about prognosis, treatment options, and outcomes, the emergency vet experience can be overwhelming for both pets and their owners—especially when considering the potential costs involved.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about pet emergency visits. Spot Pet Insurance covers eligible emergency visits, helping you focus on your pet's recovery rather than the financial burden.
1. Do I need to take my pet to the ER?
Emergency symptoms require immediate veterinary attention if your pet cannot wait until morning. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 13 critical animal emergencies require immediate consultation or care ¹. If your animal is experiencing any of the following, an emergency vet is necessary:
Life-Threatening Symptoms:
Difficulty breathing or choking
Significant bleeding that won't stop
Seizures or loss of consciousness
Inability to urinate or defecate
Bloated or distended abdomen (especially in large dogs)
Critical Injury or Illness:
Trauma from falling, being hit by a car, or animal attacks
Ingesting poison, toxic substances, or foreign objects
Coughing up foamy liquid or blood
Eye injuries or sudden blindness
Extreme pain indicated by crying, restlessness, or unusual behavior
Severe Symptoms:
Excessive vomiting or diarrhea (more than 3-4 times in 24 hours)
Inability to walk or stand properly
Not eating or drinking for more than 24 hours
Extreme lethargy or collapse
If you're uncertain whether your pet's condition constitutes an emergency, contact your regular veterinarian or an emergency clinic for phone triage. Many facilities offer guidance to help you determine if immediate care is necessary or if the situation can wait until morning. Trust your instincts—if something seems seriously wrong, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
2. What is an emergency veterinarian?
Emergency and critical care veterinarians are board-certified specialists trained to handle life-threatening medical situations for animals. These veterinarians complete at least three years of intensive residency training beyond veterinary school, focusing exclusively on emergency medicine and critical care ².
Unlike general practice veterinarians who handle routine wellness exams and preventive care, emergency vets specialize in stabilizing life-threatening conditions such as traumatic injuries, toxin ingestion, respiratory distress, cardiac emergencies, and surgical emergencies requiring immediate intervention. The emergency veterinary team uses advanced equipment, including oxygen therapy, intravenous fluid therapy, ventilators, and sophisticated monitoring systems to provide intensive care.
3. How do I find an emergency vet?
During an after-hours emergency, finding the right facility quickly is crucial. Start with a Google search for "emergency vets near me" to identify nearby options. Most cities have at least one dedicated 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
When evaluating emergency facilities, consider these factors:
Distance from your home: Choose the closest facility when minutes matter
Specialty services available: Some emergency hospitals offer specialized care, including surgery, internal medicine, and critical care
Hospital reputation: Check online reviews for insights into quality of care, wait times, and client experiences
Relationship with your primary vet: Some general practice veterinarians have partnerships with specific emergency clinics for seamless medical record transfer
Before choosing an emergency facility, call ahead to ask critical questions that ensure appropriate care for your pet's specific situation. Important questions include:
Does your facility have board-certified emergency veterinarians on staff?
What diagnostic equipment is available (ultrasound, CT scan, oxygen therapy)?
Can you handle surgical emergencies if needed?
What are your current wait times?
Do you have specialists available for consultation if needed, such as surgeons or internal medicine specialists?
Asking these questions helps you identify whether a facility has the capabilities and expertise to treat your pet's emergency condition effectively, especially for complex cases requiring specialized equipment or surgical intervention. Verifying board certification through the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care website ensures you're choosing qualified emergency specialists for your pet's urgent medical needs.
Pro Tip: Research emergency facilities before you need them. Save contact information and addresses in your phone, and program your GPS with the nearest emergency vet location. Taking these proactive steps prevents frantic searches during actual emergencies.
4. Are ER vets available 24/7?
Most emergency veterinary clinics operate 24/7, providing around-the-clock access to critical care ³. This continuous availability ensures your pet can receive immediate treatment regardless of when emergencies occur—weekends, holidays, or late at night.
5. What should I bring with me?
Preparation streamlines emergency visits and ensures effective care. Before leaving home, call the emergency clinic to inform them you're coming and describe your pet's symptoms. The veterinary staff can provide specific instructions about what to bring based on your pet's condition.
Essential items to bring include:
Vaccination records, medication list, and recent test results
All current medications with dosage information
Your primary veterinarian's name, clinic, and phone number
Symptom-specific items: stool or vomit samples, or packaging from ingested substances
Payment method: credit cards, cash, or CareCredit information
Comfort items like your pet's favorite blanket or toy
What to Ask the Emergency Vet
Once the emergency veterinarian completes their examination and diagnostic tests, asking the right questions ensures you fully understand your pet's condition and treatment plan. Key questions include:
What is the diagnosis? Request a clear explanation of your pet's condition in understandable terms
What treatment options are available? Understand all possible approaches, including both immediate interventions and alternative treatments
What is the estimated cost range? Always request a detailed written treatment estimate before authorizing procedures to avoid unexpected expenses and budget appropriately
What is the prognosis? Learn about expected outcomes, realistic recovery timelines, and any potential complications to anticipate
When can I expect an update? Establish clear communication expectations, especially if your pet requires hospitalization
What follow-up care will be needed? Understand discharge instructions, medication schedules, and when to contact your regular veterinarian
Don't hesitate to ask the emergency vet to repeat information or clarify medical terminology. Understanding your pet's condition and treatment plan helps you make informed decisions during stressful situations.
6. Will my pet have to stay over?
Whether your pet stays overnight depends on the severity of their illness or injury and the treatment required. Emergency veterinarians assess each case individually to determine if hospitalization is medically necessary.
Conditions typically requiring overnight hospitalization include:
Severe trauma from car accidents or animal attacks involving internal injuries, broken bones, or organ damage
Critical illnesses like pancreatitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, or kidney failure require IV fluids and continuous monitoring
Surgical emergencies such as bloat, intestinal obstruction, or severe lacerations
Respiratory distress, seizures, or severe poisoning requiring oxygen therapy or intensive care
For example, when Mark's dog Nora developed sudden pancreatitis, the emergency treatment and hospitalization totaled $2,953, covered according to policy terms. Minor emergencies—small lacerations, mild poisoning that responds to treatment, or urinary issues resolving with medication—may allow same-day discharge.
7. Is the ER more expensive?
Emergency vet visits cost significantly more than routine appointments. Average emergency bills are $653 for dogs and $919 for cats versus $138-$214 for routine visits, with complex cases reaching $2,000-$5,000 or more ⁴.
Emergency facilities operate 24/7 with board-certified specialists, creating higher overhead than standard clinics. Immediate diagnostics—blood work, x-rays, ultrasound, or advanced imaging—carry premium pricing, with initial examination fees ranging from $100-$300.
Treatment costs vary widely: emergency surgery for obstruction, bloat, or trauma can reach $3,000-$7,000, while overnight hospitalization adds $500-$2,000 per night.
After initial examination, the staff will provide a written treatment estimate. Most clinics require a 50% deposit before treatment and accept pet-specific financing like CareCredit or Scratchpay.
8. Will pet insurance cover the ER vet?
Emergency veterinary bills can be substantial. Pet insurance provides effective protection against unexpected costs for accidents and illnesses. Coverage varies by provider, so verify your specific policy benefits.
Common emergency conditions typically covered include:
Accidents: Broken bones, lacerations, animal attacks, hit-by-car injuries, and poisoning
Sudden illnesses: Bloat, pancreatitis, diabetic emergencies, urinary blockages, and seizures
Foreign body ingestion: Emergency surgery to remove swallowed objects
Allergic reactions: Severe reactions requiring immediate intervention
When evaluating pet insurance, consider policies with higher annual limits ($5,000-$10,000 or unlimited) since emergency vet visits often reach $2,000-$5,000. Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded, so enrolling while your pet is healthy ensures broader coverage for future emergencies.
Contact your insurance provider to understand your specific policy benefits, deductible, reimbursement percentage, and claims process. Find the right pet insurance to protect your pet and your budget.
What to Remember About Emergency Vet Visits
When your pet shows concerning symptoms, trust your instincts. During business hours, call your regular veterinarian for guidance. For emergencies, knowing where to go and what to expect can be lifesaving.
With emergency bills averaging $653-$919 and complex cases reaching $2,000-$5,000 or more, financial protection matters. Take proactive steps now: research emergency facilities, save contact information, and ensure adequate insurance coverage. When emergencies happen, you'll act quickly and confidently.
If you need a story or someone to talk to your cat like a person, I’m your person. With 3 cats, 1 dog, and a lifetime of pets, I write from experience, usually with a cat on my keyboard and a dog in my lap.
American Veterinary Medical Association. "13 Animal Emergencies That Require Immediate Veterinary Consultation and/or Care." AVMA, 2024.
American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. "Residency Training." ACVECC, 2024.
Mordor Intelligence. "Veterinary Emergency Care Market." Market Analysis Report, 2024.
CareCredit. "Emergency Vet Visit Cost and Veterinary Financing." CareCredit, 2024-2025.
