Emergency Visits in SE Missouri

I would protect and secure my children and spouse during a tornado warning before all else but likely would endanger my own well-being in order to protect my pets next. My adult children appear to have followed in my footsteps in their dedication to their pets. The youngest of the three of our daughters, living in Denver, was in the pet ER only one hour after her new puppy vomited with completed diagnostics including X-Rays within 2 hours. He was fine, BTW. The last time one of my own pets was ill my husband and I were in the hospital with him for 36 hours. Literally – in the hospital with him-- I have that luxury, as I am a DVM. Yes, we napped on cots next to his hospital kennel never leaving his side. He was very ill but fortunately recovered quickly.

What does a pet caregiver who is NOT a DVM in Cape Girardeau do when a pet emergency arises? I am compelled to address this question because the answer is – “it depends.” One would assume that a 24-hour urgent care clinic or emergency animal hospital is available. The closest Diplomate of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care providing emergency services is in the St. Louis area. We recommend Veterinary Specialty Services (636-227-9400) when that level of care is indicated. Due to the travel time, this is not a good option for a true life-threatening emergency. Some, but not all, local veterinarians will see a pet after hours. As a pet caregiver you should ask your veterinary team what after hours services they provide. I know of NO veterinary clinics that see non-clients after hours and some no longer see any client after hours. Before you get steamed at your DVM, realize this is not an issue of greed, money, laziness or lack of compassion. This is a function of staffing availability, over-night salaries pricing the service out of reach and sheer exhaustion of the veterinary team. Personally, I usually had 8 to 12 hours sleep total over three days on call.

Pet owners sometimes drive from clinic to clinic trying to have their pet seen by a DVM. How do you know who to call or where to go? Make sure you know your DVM's after hours rules of engagement. Most office answering services or answering machines will give instruction on how to reach your DVM or an emergency clinic such as Veterinary Specialty Services (VSS) or Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), both in St Louis, when you call after hours. Some clinics will refer you to a video chat with a DVM as with VetTriage.com. Interestingly, Missouri law has just ruled that a veterinarian MUST actually see the patient in-the-flesh before any consulting can be done remotely as with telemedicine.

What does an after-hours visit cost? Typical cost of the emergency office visit is $170 to $250. Cost of diagnostic tests and treatments are additional. That’s a bargain when you consider an entire staff is called in to provide individual attention and care for your pet. No clinics offer billing, and all will require a deposit to cover the full treatment not just the office visit. Most clinics accept Care Credit (carecredit.com) as well as other credit cards which can help when these unexpected expenses occur.

My words of advice: Ask your veterinarian what after-hours services are provided and what provisions exist for emergencies. Some clinics do not provide ANY after-hours services and others only until late evening which can leave you scampering to find a DVM. Non-clients are usually referred to VSS or VEG. Be thoughtful; call when an emergency exists but save the routine calls for regular hours. Lastly, be prepared for unexpected expenses and if needed purchase pet insurance or get a Care Credit account.

Veterinarians are dedicated to your pet's health, well-being and comfort. Commonly, they have worked through the night before starting a regular busy day. Be sure and thank your team for being available!