Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care: Which One’s Right for Your Furry Friend?
When your pet needs medical attention and your primary care veterinarian isn’t available, it can be tempting to rush to the nearest emergency hospital without pausing to think things through. However, pets in need of care outside of normal business hours are often best served in an urgent care facility. While emergency medicine is obviously a great resource to have, urgent care often provides the optimal outcome for pet parents seeking efficient, effective, and timely treatment. And no one knows that better than the team at VetExpress Animal Urgent Care.
We want you to know why an urgent care team is your first line of defense when a primary care vet isn’t around, and that’s what this blog’s all about.
Urgent Care Issues
Emergency care is certainly crucial for life-threatening situations that demand immediate intervention. However, it isn’t the best solution for every pet’s health problem. In fact, in many situations, urgent care is the more prudent choice.
Think of urgent care as your pet’s after-hours doctor. It’s ideal for many emergency situations that require prompt attention, such as:
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea.
- Poisoning.
- Wounds or limping.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Abrupt changes in behavior.
- Trauma from a vehicle collision.
All of the complications above can worsen without attention, and once they’re exacerbated, they can become critical faster than you might think. Urgent care empowers pet owners to stabilize their companion quickly and efficiently. Then, a treatment plan will be discussed which may include following up with your primary care veterinarian in the morning or potential transfer to a 24 hr. facility for further care if needed.
Benefits of Urgent Care
- Faster Appointments: Skip the emergency room wait times and get your pet seen quickly, often within minutes of arrival.
- Shorter Visits: Streamlined processes and fewer critical cases mean shorter queues and quicker resolutions.
- Cost-Effective Care: Urgent care typically carries lower costs than emergency room visits. Our team offers a $99 office visit fee, for examinations and assessments. An estimate for diagnostics and treatment will then be presented after the initial exam.
- Less Stressful Environment: Smaller clinics with shorter wait times create a calmer experience for both you and your pet.
When your pet is sick and the hour is late, you’ve still got options. By understanding the differences between urgent care and emergency care, you can make the right choice for your pet’s health, your wallet, and your peace of mind every time.
VetExpress Animal Urgent Care is here to assist! Dr. Abdellah and his team are proud to serve pet owners in Richmond, Texas, and surrounding towns. With offices open as late as 11 pm and available on all major holidays, we’re also equipped with ultrasound machines, digital radiology systems, and state-of-the-art stat lab facilities. We use the most advanced anesthetic and monitoring systems to guarantee the safest possible environment for surgical procedures, and our devotion to the highest standards of hygiene and post-operative care ensures that monitoring and pain management are readily available. If your pet needs help, don’t delay. Contact VetExpress Animal Urgent Care online or call (281) 633-0302 today!
