If your pet has been involved in an accident, eaten something they shouldn’t have, or developed some mysterious illness, the owner’s first call is usually their veterinarian. But what do you do if your vet is closed? Not all illnesses and accidents occur during veterinarian operating hours.
Below, we look at the options available if your pet is sick and your usual vet is closed.
First things first: Is it an emergency?
The first thing to do is determine if your cat needs immediate treatment. If they are suffering from a mild illness or a recurring problem that can wait, your best bet is usually to wait until you can talk to your vet.
However, if it is an emergency and your cat needs immediate care, you should try and find an emergency vet or an animal hospital.
Here are some things that are considered an emergency:
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Stomach swelling
- Collapse
- Inability to urinate
- Rapid or shallow breathing
- Seizures
- Severe pain or trauma
- Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
The 5 Steps and Options to Consider If Your Vet is Closed
1. Check Online
If your cat isn’t experiencing any of the above signs but you’re still not sure if they need emergency medical attention, you can look online for guidance. However, while there is a great deal of advice available online, remember that it is not always accurate or reliable. Seek information from reputable veterinary websites such as Cornell University’s Feline Health Center and avoid anecdotal advice. See articles written or reviewed by licensed veterinarians.
The advice will not be tailored to your cat’s specific situation so you should also avoid self-diagnosing your cat’s condition and instead use the information as a general guide.
2. Call Your Vet Office
Even if you know your vet surgery is closed, call them. Some area vet centers rotate vets so there is always a vet on call. You may not be able to speak to your regular vet, but you can contact a colleague who can advise on the best course of action.
Most vets have an answering service with a recorded message detailing who you can contact. This message usually includes details of an out-of-hours or emergency number to contact.
3. Consider Online Vet Services
When your veterinary clinic is closed, online veterinary services can be a valuable resource. These services allow people to consult a licensed veterinarian through a video or voice call from their own home and discuss issues regarding their pet. Online vets can also help assess whether the concern is an emergency, or whether you can wait and see your cat at your regular vet.
Many telehealth services are available, but not all work the same way. For example, PangoVet has clients fill out a questionnaire, book a time slot, and pay a fee. After the call, you will receive an actionable report about the discussion about your cat.
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4. Visit Another Vet
If you want to take your cat to a physical clinic, you may need to check if other clinics are open in your area. Some clinics may have reduced availability on weekends or certain public holidays. While a new clinic won’t have the same familiarity, they will get all the background information so they can help your cat.
5. Find an Emergency Vet
Some vets don’t have enough cover to have professionals on call every night, but many areas have a rota of local vets and vet centers that stay open outside of hours. If calling your own vet doesn’t get you details of a suitable local surgery open out of hours, you can try calling other vets.
Another operation may have a more helpful message, or you may find one that offers emergency appointments and treatment.
Conclusion
If your pet is sick or has an accident, it’s easy to panic, especially if you know your vet doesn’t work nights or isn’t available for out-of-hours calls. However, there are solutions. Call the vet’s surgery and see if another vet is on call or if the surgery has a recorded message giving details of an emergency vet.
Alternatively, find a local veterinary hospital or even a local veterinary college, as they should have an emergency department available to you. You can also find a veterinarian who can provide consultations over the Internet, and some insurers even offer access to them as part of their pet insurance products.
Featured Image Credit: Ro_ksy, Shutterstock
