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Pets need to go to the vet on occasion, just like we need to visit our doctors occasionally. Often, when our pets need to go to the vet, we know in advance and can easily schedule an appointment. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, our animals need care at the last minute because the cat ate garbage and got sick or something more serious has occurred. When this happens, we have to try to fit our pet into a vet clinic’s schedule at the last minute, which isn’t always feasible.
But what do you do if your pet needs care but the vet clinic is booked for the day? What options do you have to get your animal the care they need? First, remember not to panic because options are available. In fact, we’re sharing five alternate options you can use if your vet clinic is booked. We’ll also share a few steps that can help you be prepared in an emergency. Keep reading!
Here’s What to Do When Your Vet Clinic Is Booked for the Day
Not being able to make a vet appointment is frustrating, but the issue is manageable, as other options are available to you in this scenario.
1. Your Vet
Wait, haven’t we already ascertained that the vet you regularly use isn’t available to see your pet? Yes. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be able to help. Instead of immediately hanging up on your vet and using one of the options below when you learn you can’t get an appointment, ask them if they have any resources you can use.
What resources would be available in this situation? Well, if your pet isn’t dealing with a serious issue, the staff or a vet tech may be able to give you tips on how to care for them at home and make them comfortable. Your vet clinic may also be able to refill or prescribe medication for your animal. They might even be able to refer you elsewhere to have your pet seen. Of course, if your animal is experiencing a medical emergency and clearly needs help right away, this won’t be the option for you.
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2. The Internet
The internet is definitely a hit-or-miss option when it comes to advice on healthcare, and this is not the option for an emergency or serious situation. This option is only for minor health issues like a scraped kitty paw or mild diarrhea! If your pet is dealing with a less serious ailment, though, you can go online to places like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) site or PetMD and find resources with information verified by vets that may be able to help your animal. Look for reliable information-there are plenty of sites online that have vet-reviewed or vet-verified information that could be beneficial for your pet.
Just keep in mind that this option is only for minor issues. If your pet has been injured or is seriously ill, do not ask the internet for help!
3. The Internet, Part Deux (aka Telehealth)
Of course, Dr. Google isn’t the only help the internet has to offer. There’s also telehealth. Telehealth encompasses many things, like video consultations with vets, and is a convenient and often affordable option for those lacking other pet healthcare options. It allows you to speak to a vet directly and get personalized advice for your pet.
As convenient as it can be, especially when your vet clinic is booked, this option does have downsides. One is that vets are limited in how they can help with telehealth. After all, a vet can only see what you show them during a video chat, and it’s not like your pet can tell them where something hurts. Vets also have rules and regulations that they must follow regarding telehealth which varies with region. In many cases they can address concerns and offer advice but are unable to diagnose or prescribe medications.
However, if your pet is suffering from a minor issue and you can utilize telehealth, this could be your best bet for getting advice to help your pet straight away.
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4. A Different Vet Clinic
This may not be an option everyone has; it just depends on where you live. If you live in an area where vet clinics are plentiful, though, and your vet clinic is unavailable, try getting an appointment with a different vet. Just because your pet’s vet is currently busy doesn’t mean all the vets in town are booked, so call around and see if your animal can get an appointment elsewhere. Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean you have to switch vets forever. This can be a one-time thing, so your pet can be seen when needed.
5. An Emergency Vet
To be clear, this should be your first option if your pet is dealing with an emergency (like if they’ve been hit by a car). This can also be an option if none of the other options on this list are working for you, though. Emergency vet clinics are often open when other vet clinics aren’t, such as after regular business hours or on holidays, so animals can get in pretty much any time.
However, just because your pet can be seen at an emergency vet clinic doesn’t mean they’ll be seen immediately. Emergency vet clinics work in a similar way to hospital emergency rooms, wherein animals are triaged and those with the worst injuries or illnesses are seen before those with lesser concerns. So, if your animal is having trouble breathing, they’ll be seen before an animal with mild diarrhea. But if your pet is only suffering from something minor, you could be at the emergency vet clinic for a while, so be prepared for a wait.
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Things to Remember As a Pet Owner
There are things you can remember to make it easier on yourself and your pet when your vet clinic is booked.
Call Earlier
Call your vet earlier rather than later if you notice something wrong with your pet. Often, people see that their pet has thrown up a couple of times or seems to be feeling unwell, then decide there’s no harm in waiting a day or two before calling the vet because their pet might get better on their own. While doing this is understandable, it’s still best to contact your vet earlier when you know something is off with your pet. You know your pet best and if you have concerns contacting your vet as soon as possible means they will be more likely to get a timely appointment, and it could keep you from needing to find another option for their healthcare at the last minute.
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Be Nice
If your vet can’t fit your pet into their schedule, don’t burn bridges by getting frustrated and yelling at someone. We know that not getting an appointment when you need one is a bummer. But if you rush to anger when your vet is busy helping other people’s animals, you could lose out on keeping a positive relationship with your vet. So, be nice. Your vet’s doing their best to help every animal they can.
Be Prepared
Always be prepared for a health emergency! The better prepared you are, the better off your animal will be when they need care. So, make sure you do at least some of the following:
Have a list of emergency contacts in your phone (your vet, other vet clinics in town, animal poison control, an emergency vet, etc.); this way, you won’t have to waste time looking up numbers in a situation where your pet needs care
Keep a well-stocked pet first aid kit in your home
Learn CPR
Take a pet first-aid course
Final Thoughts
It can be frustrating when your vet clinic is booked, and you can’t get your pet in to be seen when needed. However, there are other options when this happens. If your vet clinic is booked, you can try searching for an answer to the problem online, try telehealth, ask your vet if there’s anything you can do for your pet at home, try to get in at another vet clinic, or use an emergency vet.
You can also make the situation of not being able to get in with your vet easier by calling your vet earlier when you notice your pet having a problem and taking steps to prepare for emergencies.
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