How much does an emergency vet cost?
How much does an emergency vet cost?
$100 – $300 average emergency exam cost
$300 – $1,000 average emergency diagnostic cost
$1,500 – $10,000+ average emergency treatment cost
Emergency vet cost
An emergency vet visit costs $100 to $300 for the exam fee alone. Emergency vet charges for diagnostic bloodwork and imaging range from $300 to $1,000. The cost of an emergency vet visit can total $1,500 to $10,000+ for the exam, diagnostic tests, medications, and treatments such as wound care, overnight hospitalization, or emergency surgery.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Emergency exam fee | $100 – $300 |
| Diagnostic testing (blood work & urinalysis) |
$150 – $370 |
| Diagnostic imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) |
$150 – $600+ |
| Medications | $50 – $100 |
| IV fluids | $60 – $100 |
| Oxygen therapy | $500 – $3,000 |
| Wound treatment | $800 – $2,500 |
| Overnight hospitalization | $600 – $3,500 |
| Emergency surgery | $1,500 – $5,000 |
During an emergency vet visit, the vet will perform diagnostic procedures to determine the cause and severity of your pet’s condition. These procedures help the veterinarian develop an effective treatment plan. The most common diagnostic procedures include:
Dog or cat urine testing costs $50 to $70.
Dog X-rays cost $150 to $300.
Dog blood work costs $100 to $300.
A dog ultrasound costs $300 to $600+.
A dog MRI costs $3,000 to $6,000.
What is an emergency vet?
Emergency vets are specifically trained and prepared to handle urgent, life-threatening situations, providing immediate triage, diagnosis, and treatment to stabilize animals in critical condition. They are equipped for a range of emergency situations, such as injuries, severe illnesses, poisonings, and other acute conditions that cannot wait for regular veterinary appointments.
Who provides emergency vet services?
When it comes to emergency vet care, there's a whole range of services available to help your pet during a medical emergency. Your regular vet may have on-call doctors to help with urgent care situations. If not, seek care from the following:
24/7 emergency vet clinics: These clinics are available around the clock to handle any pet emergency, whether it occurs at 2 PM or 2 AM.
Trauma & surgery centers: These facilities handle serious incidents like car accidents and falls, with surgeons on standby and advanced diagnostic equipment for immediate surgical interventions.
Critical care units: Similar to ICUs for humans, these units are equipped with advanced monitoring equipment and staffed by specialists who can manage the most severe cases.
Poison control: Some emergency veterinarians specialize in treating pets that have ingested toxic substances. They work closely with animal poison control centers to ensure the best possible care.
Diagnostic centers: Equipped with 24-hour labs, X-rays, ultrasounds, and advanced imaging technologies like CT scans and MRIs, these centers provide quick and accurate diagnostics.
Emergency dental clinics: These clinics are prepared to handle urgent dental issues, providing specialized dental care outside of regular business hours.
Exotic pet emergency care facilities: Catering to more unusual pets such as reptiles, birds, and small mammals, these facilities specialize in the unique needs of exotic animals.
When should I go to an emergency vet?
Understanding when to seek emergency veterinary care is crucial for every pet owner. Emergencies can happen quickly, and recognizing the signs of a critical situation can mean the difference between life and death for your pet.
Pet emergencies cover a wide range of situations, from severe trauma to sudden illness. Here are signs that your pet needs immediate emergency care:
Difficulty breathing or respiratory distress
Severe trauma (e.g., being hit by a car or falling from heights)
Uncontrolled bleeding
Seizures or loss of consciousness
Ingestion of toxic substances
Severe pain or inability to move
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood
Inability to urinate or defecate
Sudden collapse or paralysis
Severe allergic reactions
Eye injuries or sudden loss of vision
Swollen or distended abdomen
Open wounds or fractures
Heatstroke or hypothermia
Prolonged labor or difficulty giving birth
What should I do before heading to an emergency vet?
Have a plan in place ahead of time and know where to go in case of a pet emergency to ensure you respond quickly and effectively when every second counts. Before heading to an emergency vet, you should:
Call the emergency clinic to inform them of your situation and get advice on how to proceed.
Gather any relevant medical records or information about your pet's condition.
Ensure your pet is safely transported to the clinic using a secure carrier or leash.
How to pay for emergency vet visits
When faced with an emergency veterinary situation, the costs can be daunting but there are ways to help manage the expense:
Pet insurance: Pet insurance costs $15 to $75 per month and can cover a substantial portion of emergency veterinary costs. Policies vary, so it's essential to understand what is covered, including any deductibles and co-pays.
CareCredit: CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that can be used for veterinary expenses. It offers financing options, including interest-free periods, which can help manage the cost of emergency treatments.
Payment plans: Few emergency clinics offer payment plans to spread the cost of treatment over several months, but it's worth asking your emergency vet if this option is available before resorting to a loan or credit card.
Personal loans: In urgent situations, a personal loan from a bank or credit union can provide the necessary funds. Be sure to compare interest rates and terms before securing a loan.
Credit cards: Using a credit card is another option, especially if you have a card with a low interest rate or a high enough credit limit to cover the costs.
Crowdfunding: Platforms like GoFundMe can be used to raise funds for emergency veterinary care. Sharing your pet's story with friends, family, and the broader community can sometimes help gather the necessary funds.
Charitable organizations: Some non-profits and charitable organizations offer financial assistance for pet owners facing emergency veterinary bills. Research local and national organizations that might provide grants or financial aid.
FAQs about emergency vet services
Do you have to pay for emergency vet visits the same day?
Emergency vet visits typically require payment on the same day of service. Unlike regular vet practices, emergency clinics don't have an established relationship with clients and can't rely on billing or payment plans. Even if you have pet insurance, you'll likely need to pay the full amount upfront and then seek reimbursement from your insurance provider later.
Why does it cost more for emergency vet services?
Emergency vet visit charges are higher than regular vet visit costs because emergency vets have advanced training and skills, they operate during nights, weekends, and holidays, and they have higher overhead costs for advanced equipment, facilities, and veterinary specialists.
When is it time to put a pet down?
During an emergency, you may be faced with the decision of whether treatment for your pet should continue. If recovery chances are extremely low and your pet is suffering, euthanasia might be the most humane choice. The cost to put a dog down is $150 to $400+ including cremation, while the cost to put a cat down is slightly less.
However, the decision between euthanasia and continued treatment should never be based on financial considerations. The focus should always be on the medical prognosis and your pet’s quality of life.
Where is the closest emergency vet?
Be prepared for pet emergencies by keeping a list of nearby emergency vets on hand. This way, you'll be prepared to act quickly if your pet needs immediate care. Several methods to find the closest emergency vet include:
Ask your regular veterinarian for recommendations.
Search online for local emergency veterinary clinics or hospitals.
Check with animal poison control centers for referrals.
Look for veterinary networks or organizations that list emergency services.
Questions to ask an emergency vet
Remember to bring any relevant medical history, medication lists, or other information that may help the emergency vet assess and treat your pet. Also, be prepared with a list of questions, including:
What is your initial assessment of my pet's condition?
What diagnostic tests or procedures do you recommend and why?
What are the potential causes of my pet's symptoms?
What treatment options are available? What are the risks and benefits of each?
How urgent is my pet's condition? Does treatment need to start immediately?
What is the prognosis for my pet? What are the best and worst-case scenarios?
Will my pet need to be hospitalized? If so, for how long?
What are the estimated costs for diagnosis and treatment?
Do you offer payment plans or financial assistance options?
Will my pet need follow-up care? If so, what kind and for how long?
Are there any at-home care instructions I should follow?
Do you have specialists available if needed for my pet's condition?
Can you provide detailed written instructions and information about my pet's diagnosis and treatment plan?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.