Having a sick or injured pet can be extremely stressful, especially if it happens outside of regular veterinary office hours. Fortunately, Perth has several options for 24/7 emergency veterinary care. Knowing what to expect and how to access these services can provide comfort and ensure your pet gets the urgent care they need.

What to Expect at an Emergency Vet Clinic

Emergency veterinary clinics provide critical care and urgent treatment when your regular vet is closed. Most are open 24/7, with veterinarians and technicians on staff at all hours to treat emergency cases. Here’s what you can expect when visiting a 24/7 emergency vet in Perth:

Triage and Assessment

When you arrive, you’ll be asked questions about your pet’s condition and medical history. This helps the veterinary team quickly triage and determine how urgently your pet needs care. Pets with life-threatening problems will be seen first.

Emergency Treatment

Based on your pet’s symptoms and condition, the veterinarian will recommend diagnostic tests and provide medical treatment as needed. This may include:

• Stabilization with IV fluids, medications, oxygen therapy
• Lab tests like blood work, urinalysis, x-rays
• Emergency surgery or other critical procedures
• Overnight monitoring and supportive care

Specialist Consultations

Some emergency clinics have specialists on staff or on call. If your pet needs emergency surgery or critical care in a specialty field like neurology or cardiology, a specialist vet may provide these advanced services.

Hospitalization

If your pet requires intensive treatment or observation, 24/7 emergency vets can provide overnight hospitalization and nursing care. This allows for continual monitoring and medical management.

Costs and Payment

Emergency vet services are more expensive than routine care, even at nights and on holidays. There is usually an exam fee, plus charges for treatments, procedures, lab tests and hospitalization. Payment is due at the time of service. Some clinics accept credit cards or CareCredit healthcare financing.

How to Access 24/7 Emergency Vet Care in Perth

Knowing your options for urgent pet care can help you act quickly when emergencies happen. Here are some ways to access 24/7 vet services in Perth:

Your Regular Veterinarian

Some regular vet offices provide their own after-hours emergency services or have an on-call vet who can advise you. Call your vet’s office to find out what emergency care they offer.

Emergency Vet Hospitals

There are several stand-alone 24/7 emergency vet clinics in the Perth area. Do a quick online search for “24-hour emergency vet Perth” to find clinics near you. Most emergency vet websites list their location and phone number prominently.

Call a Pet Poison Helpline

If your pet ingested something toxic, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680. They’ll advise you on the severity and steps to take.

Know When to Go

Don’t hesitate to seek emergency vet care if your pet:

• -Is in distress or pain
• -Has difficulty breathing
• -Is bleeding or has wounds that won’t stop
• -Has sudden paralysis or inability to use a limb
• -Is having seizures or convulsions
• -Has consumed something toxic

When to Seek Follow-Up Care After an Emergency Vet Visit

Getting urgent after-hours treatment for your pet can be critical, but the emergency may not end there. Depending on your pet’s diagnosis and treatment, follow-up veterinary care is often needed for full recovery. Here’s when to seek additional care:

• Hospitalization and Monitoring: If your pet was hospitalized overnight at the emergency clinic for treatment and monitoring, he or she may need continued care and observation. Most emergency vets will transfer patients needing ongoing hospitalization to your regular veterinarian or a specialty clinic once stabilized.
• Surgery: Any surgical procedure performed on an emergency basis, like emergency spay/neuter or trauma surgery, will require follow-up appointments. This allows the vet to check incisions, remove stitches, and monitor for potential postoperative complications.
• Diagnostic Testing: Emergency vets often run initial bloodwork, x-rays, ultrasounds, or other diagnostics to assess the urgent problem. Your regular vet will review the results and determine if additional testing is warranted for a full diagnosis.
• Specialist Referral: For complex conditions that require specialized care, you may be referred to a veterinary specialist like a cardiologist, neurologist, or criticality. They can provide advanced medical management.
• Medications: If your pet was prescribed medications for treatment during the emergency visit, you’ll need to follow up to get refills and monitor their effects. Inform your regular vet of any new prescriptions.
• Ongoing Symptoms: If symptoms that prompted the emergency visit persist, further examinations and treatment may be needed. Follow up promptly if your pet is not improving.

While emergency vets provide crucial after-hours care, your regular veterinarian is still an important part of the process. Book a follow-up appointment within a day or two of the emergency visits to get your pet any necessary continuing care.

Preparing for Potential Pet Emergencies

Any pet owner dreads an urgent trip to the emergency vet. While such visits cannot always be avoided, some preparation and prevention can help reduce risks. Here are proactive steps you can take now to be ready for a potential pet emergency:

• Pet-Proof Your Home: Remove or secure anything that could poison your pet if ingested. Keep medications, toxic houseplants, and hazardous household items locked away.
• Learn Pet First Aid: Taking a first aid class helps you recognize signs of distress and take initial lifesaving actions while awaiting vet care. Learn CPR, the Heimlich manoeuvre, and how to stop bleeding or bandage wounds.
• Collect Critical Info: Keep your pet’s medical records, vaccine history, and microchip info together in one place. Also have emergency contact info for your vet, the poison control hotline, and after-hours clinics.
• Save an Emergency Fund: Establish a dedicated savings account to cover unexpected vet bills and emergency costs. CareCredit also offers financing options.
• Know Your Pet’s Behaviors: Identifying subtle personality changes or physical symptoms early on allows you to seek treatment before an emergency develops.
• Don’t Hesitate if Unsure: If you notice anything concerning about your pet’s condition, err on the side of caution and call your vet or an emergency clinic. It’s always better to be safe.

While you hope to never need emergency services, planning ahead helps reduce panic in urgent situations. Being proactive and vigilant about your pet’s health is key to getting them prompt treatment when every minute counts.

Final words

Emergency vet services can be stressful and expensive, but your pet’s health and wellbeing are the top priorities. With 24/7 emergency clinics throughout Perth, urgent care is available when you need it most for your beloved companion.