Paying for emergency veterinary services is a top concern of pet parents, and understandably so. While the cost of an emergency vet initially runs between $150 to $250, that bill can easily reach thousands of dollars depending on the procedures and tests required.1 While you don’t want to deny your beloved family member the care they need and deserve, you may also have valid concerns about potentially staggering costs.
If you want to feel more financially prepared, there are options to consider. Read on to learn more about funding alternatives such as nonprofit grants, dedicated savings accounts, crowdsourcing, and the CareCredit credit card that helps you pay over time with budget monthly payments.*
Common Reasons for Emergency Vet Visits
Common reasons for emergency veterinary visits for dogs and cats include:
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea, especially if it is black or bloody or accompanied by abdominal pain
- Being hit by a car, falling from an extreme height or other forms of trauma
- Seizures and convulsions
- Labored breathing, gasping or choking
- Swallowing a foreign object
- Unconsciousness, fainting or severe lethargy
- Severe allergic reactions to bee stings or insect stings
- Ingesting toxic foods, plants or household items
- Chemical or heat burns
- heat
Please see ours comprehensive list of signs that your pet may need immediate veterinary care. If you are unsure, always check with your vet.
How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit for a Dog or Cat Cost?
You can usually expect to pay more for emergency vet care than for regular vet visits. The higher cost of veterinary emergency services is due to the increased number of diagnostic tests and treatments often required. Senior pets are more likely to experience chronic health problems – such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer – so they generally require more emergency care.
The average cost of a pet ER visit is $150-$250, and it can increase depending on your pet’s condition.1 We’ve researched the costs you could incur from a veterinary emergency visit. They can vary based on factors such as the size of the animal (cats are usually cheaper to treat than dogs), where the clinic is located, and the complexity of diagnosing and treating the condition.
How much does emergency vet care for cats and dogs cost? Here are some ratings.2,3
- Initial exam: $150-$250
- Blood tests: $80-$200
- X-rays: $100-$350
- Pain medication: $40-$80
Emergency Vet Expenses for Dogs
- Treatment of wounds: $800-$2,500
- Emergency surgery: $1,500-$5,000
- Hospitalization: $600-$3,500 (1-5 day stay)
- Removal of foreign objects: $3,500
Emergency Vet Expenses for Cats
- Treatment of wounds: $800-$1,500
- Emergency surgery: $1,500-$3,000
- Hospitalization: $600-$3,000 (1-5 day stay)
- Removal of foreign objects: $3,400
Emergency Vet Expense: 10 Ways to Pay
As overwhelming as the costs of emergency vet visits may seem, rest assured that you have options.
Start with Great Preventative Care
The best way to avoid the cost of an emergency vet visit is to adhere to a solid preventative care regimen. This should incorporate a complete and balanced diet, adequate exercise and an environment free of potentially toxic plants, foods and household items. Keeping regular veterinary visits is also essential. Ask your veterinary practice or insurance company if they offer a wellness plan (PWP) to help finance preventative care.
Check Your Pet Insurance Policy
Some pet insurance companies cover as much as 90 percent of the cost of an emergency vet visit.1 “As a veterinarian, I cannot stress how important it is to get pet insurance as soon as possible when adding a new pet to your household,” says Dr. Anna Kaufman, associate veterinarian with BondVet, a veterinary hospital network that also provides emergency. maintenance services. Pet insurance policies usually have exclusions, such as not covering pre-existing conditions, so check before signing up.
Apply for a Pet Care Credit Card
CareCredit is a dedicated health and pet care credit card you can use to pay for emergency vet care costs.* “When you’re dealing with a pet emergency, the last thing you want to do is stress about money,” says Dr. Kaufman. “What I’ve found is that CareCredit can help make the difference in affording care for a pet family member.”
CareCredit offers flexible financing options and is accepted at more than 25,000 veterinary hospital locations. You can apply in minutes and get an instant credit decision. If approved, you can start using your card immediately.
Ask Hospital Staff About Payment Plans
While you likely won’t be subject to high interest rates with in-house payment plans, there’s a caveat: “It’s well within your rights to ask, but many hospitals don’t offer payment plans,” Dr. Kaufman says. A veterinary practice that has had problems with loan repayments in the past may be reluctant to offer a payment plan.
Check with Your Local Veterinary College
Some veterinary teaching hospitals maintain clinics for indigent clients. The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, for example, offers limited urgent care services through its Tufts at Tech program. Check with your local accredited veterinary college about similar programs.
Set up a Pet Savings Account
Some credit unions and banks offer a dedicated savings account to help you save for your pet’s medical expenses. They may even offer benefits such as discounts on pet insurance and the ability to earn higher interest rates. “I really like this idea, but at the end of the day, I think pet insurance is an important investment,” says Dr. Kaufman.
Set up a Traditional Savings Account
If your financial institution doesn’t offer a pet savings account, consider opening a traditional high-quality savings account to earn interest. A certificate of deposit (CD) usually offers higher interest rates, although it usually carries a penalty for early withdrawal.
Apply for a Charity Grant
There are several options here. Some veterinary practices maintain their own nonprofits or partner with independent nonprofits to help clients experiencing financial hardship. Local animal shelters are a wealth of information and may even offer their own grants. And several non-profit organizations provide grants. These include:
Use a Crowdfunding Platform to Raise Funds
Do you have family members, friends or other contacts who might want to help? A crowdsourcing platform like Waggle or CoFund My Pet can help you raise funds. “Pet cruises are stressful and often those around you want to help but don’t know how,” says Dr. Kaufman. “Starting a page like this allows people to donate in a tangible way.”
Ask Your Friends and Family for a Loan
If you’re not comfortable asking people you know for money, consider setting up a loan arrangement. The advantage is that people in your circle will be less likely to charge high (if any) interest rates and will be more lenient with repayment terms.
In Conclusion
Having to worry about emergency vet visit costs in addition to your pet’s health is a stressful life event. While avoiding this scenario (by providing excellent preventative care and purchasing pet insurance, for example) is optimal, things don’t always work out as planned. If you find yourself in a pinch, there are alternative ways to pay.
Veterinary hospitals and local animal shelters are often sources of information, making them great places to start. Non-profit organizations exist that help pet parents experiencing financial hardship, and some veterinary teaching colleges sponsor low-cost clinics that provide limited emergency care services. Another solid option is the CareCredit credit card*, which many vets recommend for its flexibility, reliability and convenience.
With many options available, you should never deny your pet access to life-saving veterinary emergency services.
References:
- Racine, E. (2022, December). “Emergency Vet Visit Costs and Financing Options.” Well U – CareCredit. Taken from https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/pet-care/emergency-vet-visit-cost-and-veterinary-financing
- “How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?” CareCredit. https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/
- Elswick, M. “How to Handle a Pet Crisis.” GreatPetCare. July 2023. Retrieved from https://www.greatpetcare.com/dog-emergency/how-to-handle-a-pet-emergency/
*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.
This information is shared for your convenience only. Neither Synchrony nor any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, makes any representations or warranties about the products described, and no endorsement is implied. You are encouraged to consult with your individual veterinarian regarding any professional advice presented.