It often seems like our pets have a sixth sense for timing their illnesses or injuries at the most inconvenient moments. Whether it's disrupting your downtime or derailing your plans, a pet emergency can throw a wrench in your life. What's more, the cost of an emergency vet visit can vary significantly, ranging from $150 to $5,000 for dogs and $150 to $3,000 for cats, depending on the situation(1). To better navigate these unexpected events, it's essential to understand what constitutes a veterinary emergency, when immediate care is necessary, and what you can anticipate during such a visit.
When should you take your pet to an Emergency Vet Clinic?
As a pet parent, you must be on a constant lookout for signs that require immediate attention. And at the same time, you must know the difference between what an emergency is and what can wait till the vet opens the next day.
Below are the signs indicated by the American Veterinary Medical Association that require immediate attention(5)
Severe bleeding
Constant vomiting or diarrhea
Seizure or collapse
Difficulty breathing or choking
Pale, blue, or yellow gums
Bite wounds and animal attacks
Toxin ingestion, such as chocolate, alcohol, antifreeze, prescription medications for humans, etc.
Shivering, dilated pupils, and a slow heart rate
Any kind of trauma, like a car accident, broken bones, open wounds, etc.
Heatstroke, usually indicated by heavy breathing, abnormal gum color, and a seizure
Refusal to eat or drink for 24 hours or more
How is an Emergency Vet Clinic different from a normal one?
Emergency vet clinics operate outside normal business hours, usually 24/7 (because they wouldn’t call it an emergency if the incidents happened only during the day). They specialize in handling critical conditions such as poisoning, severe wounds, breathing difficulties, or a blocked urinary tract.
What to do during a Pet Emergency?
The very first thing you should do if you spot any of the signs above in your pet is to try to contact your family vet. If that option is not available, try to get in touch with the nearest veterinary emergency clinic or animal hospital.
It’ll be difficult for them to provide a diagnosis on the call, but they will definitely be able to help you with first-aid instructions and whether your pet needs to be brought in.
It is highly recommended to always have a pet-friendly first-aid kit in your home. Here are the things the kit should include, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association:(4)
Contact details of the nearest emergency clinic, your regular vet, and the Animal Poison Control Center
Instructions on how to use the kit in case you are not around
Gauze and cotton balls
Adhesive tape and non-stick, self-adhering bandages only (not to use the adhesive bandages meant for humans)
Hydrogen peroxide, milk of magnesia, and activated charcoal (not to be administered without vet guidance)
Digital thermometer
Eye dropper
Muzzle, leash, and stretcher to stabilize and transport your pet
How much does an Emergency Vet Visit cost without Insurance?
Emergency vet visits are usually more expensive because of the urgent nature of services, specialized care, and the fact that pets only seem to get sick at the most inconvenient times. The national average cost for an emergency vet exam ranges from $96 to $236 for dogs and $94 to $228 for cats, depending on various factors. (2)
Below are the average costs of common emergencies in cats: (3)
Broken bones - $800 - $1500
X-Rays - $200 - $400
Stomach bloating - $500 - $3000
Toxic substance ingestion - $250 - $5000
Epilepsy or seizures - $500 - $5000
Heatstroke - $1500 - $6000
Electric shock - $500 - $3000
And here are some average costs for common emergencies in dogs: (1)
Anaphylactic shock: $500-$1,000
Bloat: $1,500-$7,500
Intestinal blockage: $2,000-$10,000
Trauma: $100-$2,000
Stomach issues: $400-$3,000
Heatstroke: $500-$1,000
Poisoning: $200-$6,000, depending on the toxin
Please note that there are only approximate averages. The actual cost may depend on your pet’s condition, the type of facility you use, the expert services needed, etc.
For a real-life example of an emergency vet visit, and how pet insurance can help, read Darin and Pepper's story.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Vet Visits?
With pet insurance, you can get reimbursed up to 90% of the emergency vet visit costs as long as the condition is covered under your policy. With Spot Pet, you can get help covering not just the cost of an emergency visit but also the cost of hereditary and congenital conditions, alternative therapies, prescription diets, specialist vet visits, and much more.
Visit our blogs to learn more about what pet insurance covers and what pet insurance does not cover.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Pet Insurance can help provide financial assistance for covered veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans help cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.
Creative manager by day, pet enthusiast all the time! After 19 years with my dog (hopefully he wins the award for oldest pet in the world), I enjoy spending my days brainstorming tail-wagging content, and sniffing out the latest trends in the pet world.
Ferrer, A. A. (2024, April 17). How Much is an Emergency Vet Visit? Money. https://money.com/how-much-is-an-emergency-vet-visit/
How much does an emergency vet visit cost? (2019, August 31). https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/pet-care/emergency-vet-visit-cost-and-veterinary-financing/
Precious Petcare. (2021, August 25). The cost of common dog and cat emergencies. Cats Sitting, Dogs Day Care Services and More. https://www.preciouspetcaresd.com/news/the-cost-of-common-dog-and-cat-emergencies/
First aid tips for pet owners. (n.d.). American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners
13 Animal emergencies that require immediate veterinary consultation and/or care. (n.d.). American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/13-animal-emergencies-require-immediate-veterinary-consultation-andor-care
