When your pet is ill or injured, it’s easy to panic and become overwhelmed while you try to decide what to do. Creating a plan for handling pet emergencies will help you keep a level head and act quickly to protect your pet’s health when an emergency arises. Some injuries and illnesses can be safely treated at home, while others require a visit to an emergency veterinarian. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect when you visit an emergency veterinarian with your pet.
Bring Important Documents with You
You should have all of your pet’s important health documentation and medical records in a convenient location so that you can take them with you to the emergency veterinary hospital. We recommend that you bring:
- Medical records
- Vaccination history
- List of medications
- Information about past diagnoses and treatments
- List of symptoms
- Contact information for your pet’s veterinarian
- Pet insurance information if applicable
Preparing for Emergency Triage
When you arrive at the emergency veterinary hospital, a specialist will perform emergency triage to determine how serious your pet’s condition is. They will perform an examination and ask you questions. The more information you can provide, the easier and more efficient the process will be. For instance, you may need to tell them:
- Whether your pet has access to any household toxins or poisons
- Whether there are other pets in the house or if your pet was in contact with any other animals
- If your pet got out of the house or ran away recently
- If your pet has all of his vaccinations
- If your pet has a history of allergies or illnesses
- What your pet has eaten lately
- If your pet can keep food and water down
- If your pet has experienced any recent trauma or injuries
Providing Information About Your Pet’s Emergency
You will also need to provide clear information about your pet’s emergency. A veterinary staff member or specialist will ask you questions about:
- When and how your pet became ill or got injured
- What you did at home to treat the injury
- When symptoms started and how they progressed
- If you have tried any home remedies or medications to treat your pet
- Your pet’s history of illness and injury
- When you got your pet, how old he is, and what medical care he has had up until now
Get Immediate Emergency and Urgent Care Services for Your Pet
Don’t waste time trying to decide what to do when your pet is experiencing a life-threatening emergency. Our team at Pet Emergency Trauma Services will quickly assess your pet’s condition, perform a physical exam and diagnostic testing, and determine the fastest treatment option. We specialize in pet emergency and urgent care services in Bozeman, MT and offer rapid diagnostics and treatment.
Our state-of-the-art emergency veterinary hospital features a comfortable, high-tech critical care unit, and our experienced surgeons specialize in emergency pet surgery. We offer 24-hour care Friday through Monday and are closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Call us now to let us know you are bringing your pet in for emergency services.