What to do in a pet emergency

If a pet suffers an accident, speedy action could be the difference between life and death. Here we look at how to handle pet emergencies including calling a vet and the role that pet insurance can play.

When should you contact a vet?  

As a pet sitter it can be difficult to know exactly when to consult a vet without obtaining the owner’s permission first. As such it’s wise to discuss this scenario ahead of time – ideally the sitter and owner will draw up a contract that clearly outlines that in an emergency situation medical attention will be obtained for the pet regardless of whether or not the owner’s permission can be obtained. In non-emergencies the sitter may wish to discuss the pet’s symptoms with the owner before contacting a vet, but in an emergency situation prompt and decisive action is usually necessary.

Phone your local vet as soon as possible. Every vet must supply some level of 24hr cover so if you call out of surgery hours you may be redirected to an emergency clinic. Emergency clinics are often further away and more expensive, but the staff are usually trained to deal specifically with emergency situations; the clinics usually contain specialist equipment; and there are staff on-site all the time.

How to handle a pet emergency  

There are several steps you can take to ensure a pet emergency is dealt with quickly and efficiently:  

Be prepared: Make sure you know any relevant contact numbers, such as those for the local vet and any emergency out-of-hours numbers. There may also be hotlines where you can gain specialist advice, such as if a pet suffers a suspected poisoning.  

Identify the problem: When consulting someone over the phone you’ll need to provide as many details as possible about the pet’s condition. So, look for any notable symptoms – for example is the pet bleeding or suffering a fit, etc. If a pet is suffering breathing difficulties for example, then try and describe the noises the pet is making when attempting to breath. The details you provide could affect the advice you are given.

Call a vet: Don’t assume that you can resolve the situation yourself with first aid. It’s always best to consult a vet – they may be able to offer advice over the phone, such as how to stem bleeding or treat other injuries before bringing a pet to the surgery.  

What about pet insurance?  

Vet bills can quickly mount up, which is why it’s worth considering pet insurance.  

Pet insurance is designed to help cover the cost of veterinary bills and is usually available in three forms: cover for a set period, meaning the pet receives no further treatment when the policy ends; a policy with a cover limit per condition; and a lifetime policy that provides a cover limit per condition, per year meaning the pet will continue to be treated as long as the policy remains active.  

Remember that policies vary between providers and what is covered under the terms of one policy may not be covered under another. For example, a policy may or may not cover the pet for cosmetic treatments (such as teeth de-scaling), or for the provision of specialist diets. There may also be exclusions that apply to the policy – for example, you may not be able to get cover unless a pet has been inoculated against certain diseases/illnesses, and cover may exclude any pre-existing conditions. There may also be restrictions based on the pet’s age – typically insuring dogs and cats over the age of eight means agreeing to make a larger contribution towards a potential claim. As such, you should read the terms and conditions carefully before applying for a policy.  

However, pet insurance has numerous advantages beyond simply assisting with medical bills for a pet. Depending on the policy you choose, these may include:  

Death benefit: Usually recommended for pedigree pets, this provides a payout either for the purchase price or market value of the pet if it dies as a result of an accident or illness, subject to conditions.  

Holiday cover: Should you need to return from holiday early to attend to a sick or injured pet, some policies will cover your accommodation and travel costs.  

Kennel/cattery cover: Cover for the cost of kennel or cattery fees if you require in-patient hospital treatment in an emergency situation.  

Missing pet cover: This can help towards the cost of advertising if a pet is lost or stolen, subject to conditions. There may also be contributions available towards a reward for the safe return of your pet.   

Third party liability: Typically if your dog injures someone or damages their property, the owner would be held responsible – so third party liability can help cover any costs. However, this cover is not necessary for cats as they are considered ‘free spirits’ by the courts and owners are not responsible for their actions.  

Travel cover: With some policies you may be able to get cover for veterinary treatments overseas.