Whether your pet has been involved in an accident, eaten something they shouldn’t, or has come down with some mysterious illness, an owner’s first port of call is typically their vet. But what do you do if your vet is closed? Not all illnesses and accidents occur within vet operating hours.
Below, we look at the options available if your pet is ill and your usual vet is closed.
First Things First: Is It an Emergency?
The first thing to do is determine whether your cat needs urgent treatment. If they are suffering a mild illness or a problem that has reoccurred that can wait, your best bet is usually to wait until you can speak to your vet.
However, if it is an emergency and your cat needs urgent care, you must try and find an emergency vet or an animal hospital.
Here are some things that count as an emergency:
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Bloated abdomen
- Collapse
- Inability to urinate
- Rapid or shallow breathing
- Seizures
- Severe pain or trauma
- Unconsciousness or lack of response
The 5 Steps & Options to Consider if Your Vet Is Closed
1. Check Online
If your cat is not experiencing any of the above signs but you are still unsure if they require emergency medical attention, you can look online for guidance. However, although there is a vast amount of advice available online, remember it is not always accurate or reliable. Look for information from reputable veterinary websites such as Cornell University’s Feline Health Center and avoid anecdotal advice. Check for 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 general guidance.
2. Call Your Vet Office
Even if you know your vet surgery is closed, give them a call. Some area veterinary centers rotate vets so there is always one vet on call. You might not be able to speak to your regular vet, but you could be put in touch with a colleague who can advise on the best course of action.
Most vets have an answering service with a recorded message that details who you can contact. This message will usually include details of an out-of-hours or emergency number to contact.
3. Consider Online Vet Services
When your vet clinic is closed, online vet services can be a valuable resource. These services allow people to consult with a licensed veterinarian through a video or voice call from their own home and discuss issues concerning their pet. Online vets can also help assess whether the concern is an emergency, or if you can wait and have your cat seen by your regular vet.
Several telehealth services are available, but not all operate in the same way. For example, PangoVet has clients fill out a questionnaire, book a time slot, and pay the fee. After the call, you will receive an actionable report regarding the discussion about your cat.
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4. Visit Another Vet
If you want to bring your cat to a physical clinic, you might need to see if other clinics in your area are open. Some clinics may have shortened availability on the weekends or some public holidays. While a new clinic will not have the same familiarity, they will gather 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 out of hours. If calling your own vet doesn’t elicit details of a suitable local surgery open out of hours, you can try calling other vets.
Another surgery might have a more useful message, or you might find one that does offer emergency appointments and treatment.
Conclusion
If your pet is ill or has been in an accident, it is easy to panic, especially if you know your vet doesn’t work evenings or isn’t available for calls out of hours. However, there are solutions. Call the vet’s surgery and see if there is another vet on call or if the surgery has a recorded message that gives details of an emergency vet.
Alternatively, find a local vet hospital or even a local vet college, as they should have an emergency department that you can use. You can also look for a vet who can provide consultations on the Internet, and some insurers even offer access to these as part of their pet insurance products.
Featured Image Credit: Ro_ksy, Shutterstock