It’s every pet parent’s worst nightmare: being stranded somewhere and unable to access a vet if your pet is hurt or sick. If you’ve found yourself in one of these situations or you’re heading to an area with limited access to vets, you may be trying to cover your bases.
This article aims to help every pet parent access resources even in the most difficult of times. So if you are currently or may be stuck in a place where you can’t access veterinary care, hopefully, one of these ideas can help you get your pet the care they need though. with no vets nearby.
The 5 Ideas On How To Contact A Vet In The Middle-of-Nowhere
1. Check out the nearest Vets
Even if there are no regular vet offices nearby, there may be access to emergency vets. Some clinics also offer call out or afterhours services. While this can vary from state to state and area to area, it’s always best to contact services near you to see what kind of care you can get for your pets.
Keep in mind that emergency vets are more expensive than regular vets. So, while you may pay more out of pocket, it’s definitely worth it if your pet’s life is at stake.
2. Chat with a Vet Online
Thanks to technology, we now have more options to contact professionals. If you have Internet access or cell phone service, you can always chat with a live veterinarian through vet telehealth services like PangoVet. You can hold a video conference or use the chat feature to explain what’s going on with your pet. While they often can’t provide a diagnosis or prescriptions, they can let you know how to manage your pet yourself or if they need to be seen in person somewhere as soon as possible.
If you have pet insurance, it often comes as a feature of the plan you have. You can contact the professionals the insurance company has on standby so they can guide you on appropriate home care and how and when to travel to see a professional.
💛 😺 Talk to a Vet Online From the Comfort of Your Couch!
If you need to talk to a vet but can’t get one, go to PangoVet. This is an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
3. Call a Vet
Whether it’s your vet’s office or a closer vet, you can always be reached by phone. Even if you can’t access treatment, a vet can give some general advice over the phone. These may include treatments such as proper hydration, wound dressings, and other home remedies.
Ultimate care depends on the issue and the guidance of the professional you speak with. If you are far away from your personal vet, you can still call the office to make contact. They can advise you, especially since they are familiar with your pet and their current health.
4. Call a Hotline
There are hotlines you can call to help you with your pets. Whether it’s Pet Poison Helpline, ACK Vetline, the Animal Humane Society’s Pet Helpline hotlines are designed to help in situations of dire need.
You can give the professional as much detail as possible. They can advise you on how to care for your pet at home, but they may also have other resources available. For example, there may be a veterinarian nearby available for a house call. They can also advise you on other forms of care, so don’t hesitate to use this resource.
5. Contact a Rural or Traveling Vet
If you’re in a rural area without direct access to veterinary care, chances are you’re not alone. In places like this, there are often traveling vets who can make house calls. You can ask the locals how they receive veterinary care, they may be able to point you in the right direction.
Although it is usually done for farm animals, it can also help pets like cats and dogs. Keep in mind that you may have to pay a little extra for a house call, but in some situations, it can be the very difference between life and death and a scenario.
Keep in mind that availability for a traveling vet will vary depending on where you are.
How to Help Your Pet at Home
Unless the situation is obvious, you should not try to treat your pet at home. However, you can do this under the guidance of a veterinarian. If you call and they explain to you how to treat your pet, you can follow their instructions. However, if your pet is very unwell and suffering, you should go to a personal veterinarian, no matter how far away it is.
Conclusion
Finding access to veterinary care can be very difficult at times. If you live in a rural area, are on vacation in the wilderness, or are traveling to an area where you don’t have many resources, accidents can still happen.
Not only is it good to be prepared before an accident happens, but it’s also good to know all of your options when you’re faced with a dilemma to ensure your pet’s care. Illness, pain, and injury can happen at any time. The only thing you can do is access the resources provided to you and follow the instructions you receive.
Featured Image Credit: SvetikovaV, Shutterstock
