December 3, 2024
When to take action
Our dogs mean everything to us. When they don’t feel well or get hurt we feel their pain and want to make them feel better. Knowing what to do can save valuable time in an emergency. Your pet trusts you and is dependent on you for their every need.
With pet ownership
It is a responsibility that can kick up a lot of emotions, especially when a lot of money could be involved or you need to make that heart wrenching decision to have them put to sleep.
Our emergency
Last weekend, Oliver became anxious for about 30 minutes. When he seemed calmer we tried to feed him his dinner. I picked him up and set him down from the couch. Oliver was unable to stand on his hind legs.
Know where you are going
My husband held Oliver and I drove. I knew where the emergency clinic was so it was one less thing to stress over.
Be mindful of emotions
My husband does not do well with hospitals for people or pets. I needed to take the lead and be mindful of my husband’s emotions.
The Emergency Center we took Oliver to has this great guide to help you decide what to do.
What happens when you arrive
When we arrived, they took him to an exam room right away to check his vital signs. We were told up front how much it could cost. They gave us an estimate of how long it would take to be seen by an emergency vet. We needed to fill out paperwork. They will want to know if your dog has any health conditions and is on any medications.
The clinic will keep you informed
Oliver was stable. We were allowed to be in a room with him. He had blankets to lay on and we sat on the floor with him. The time range was 3-5 hours to been seen by a vet. We were pleased that it was an over estimate. Oliver was seen in 2-1/2 hours.
Your mind always goes to the worst outcome. My husband was teary eyed. No one wants to say good-bye to their best buddy. They took Oliver to the vet for an exam. They did a simple scan. The vet brought Oliver back to our room. shortly after.
Diagnosis and discharge instructions
Oliver was having back pain. The thought is that he had a soft tissue injury. We were given medication for pain and inflammation. We were given detailed instructions that included limiting his activity. No stairs, no jumping.
We were very relieved and thankful. It was a $350 bill. Less than what we anticipated, but worth the cost.
Our other dog was so happy to see Oliver back home! They feel the stress too.
Be prepared
My best advice is to be prepared in case you ever need to seek emergency care.
For more information: https://aercmn.com