How to Pay for an Emergency Vet Visit Without Pet Insurance (Know Your Options)

If you’re experiencing an unexpected pet emergency, your first thought is likely to get your pet the best care as soon as possible. But if you don’t have existing pet insurance, the thought of covering the costs of a vet visit may not be far behind.

Fortunately, when it comes to paying for an emergency vet visit without insurance, you have options. So, don’t stress, but keep reading to learn what to do next!

How Much is an Emergency Vet Visit Without Insurance?

There is no set cost of an emergency vet visit, as this is based on a wide range of factors. The factors that influence how much an emergency vet costs without insurance include:

• Where the veterinary hospital‍ is located
• The type of veterinary hospital‍ you’re taking your pet to
• The type of illness or injury your pet is suffering from
• The degree of emergency veterinary care required
• The type and breed of the pet receiving care
• The age and health status of your pet

For example, the average emergency visit cost for a minor ailment can be around $400 CAD, whereas treatment for a serious ailment requiring hospitalization can be around $4,000. Likewise, the average cost of exam fees at a general vet office could be around $75, while the same service could cost $100+ at a specialist’s office. 

Below, we have provided a breakdown of the most common pet emergencies (by type) and their associated costs.

Common pet emergency costs without insurance

Source: This Old House; all prices converted from USD to CAD

What is Considered a “Pet Emergency?”

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A "pet emergency" refers to a sudden and often critical situation involving your pet's health or safety. This includes any condition that requires immediate attention and care from a veterinarian or emergency clinic. 

Some examples of pet emergencies include:

• Trauma or injury: This includes accidents such as being hit by a car, severe wounds, broken bones, or any injury causing significant bleeding or pain.
• Sudden illness: Instances like seizures, difficulty breathing, sudden collapse, or signs of poisoning can be considered emergencies.
• Ingestion of harmful substances: Pets consuming toxic foods, plants, chemicals, medications, or other dangerous substances require immediate attention.
• Difficulty giving birth: If a pet is in labour and experiences prolonged contractions without delivering, or if there are complications during birth, it's an emergency.
• Severe pain: Persistent crying, yelping, or showing signs of distress could indicate an emergency situation.
• Eye or ear injuries: Severe swelling, bleeding, or trauma to the eyes or ears may require immediate care.
• Difficulty urinating or defecating: Struggling or inability to urinate or defecate can signal blockages or other serious issues.
• Heatstroke or hypothermia: Extreme temperatures can cause distress, heatstroke, or hypothermia in pets, requiring immediate attention.
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea: If it's persistent and accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy or blood in the vomit/diarrhea, it could indicate a serious issue.
• Inability to stand or walk: Sudden weakness, paralysis, or difficulty standing or walking properly could indicate neurological issues or spinal injuries.
• Respiratory distress: Difficulty breathing, choking, or coughing severely may indicate respiratory problems or airway obstructions.
• Seizures or fainting: Any unusual behaviour, convulsions, or fainting spells could indicate neurological problems or other underlying issues.
• Allergic reaction: Severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing, can be life-threatening and require immediate attention.
• Bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV): This is a life-threatening condition commonly seen in larger breeds where the stomach twists and can rapidly become fatal without immediate veterinary care.
• Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite: Rapid weight loss or refusal to eat for an extended period may indicate underlying health issues.
• Insect or animal bites: Severe reactions to bites, especially if causing significant swelling, pain, or signs of infection, require immediate attention.

If you're unsure whether something is an emergency, it's best to contact a veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic immediately. Timely intervention significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and recovery for your pet!

Who to Call for a Pet Emergency

If you encounter a pet emergency, take the following steps to seek immediate assistance for your pet:

• Local Veterinarian: Contact your regular veterinarian's office first, even if it's after hours. They might have an emergency line or instructions on their voicemail directing you to an emergency clinic.
• 24-Hour Emergency Veterinary Clinic: Look for nearby emergency veterinary clinics or animal hospitals that operate 24/7. These facilities specialize in urgent pet care and can handle emergencies when regular veterinary offices are closed.
• Animal Poison Control Center: If your pet ingests something toxic, contact the Pet Poison Helpline. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) might also provide guidance on pet poisoning and emergencies.
• Local Animal Control or Law Enforcement: If your pet is injured due to an accident or involved in an altercation with another animal, you may need to contact local animal control or law enforcement for assistance.
• Pet Insurance Provider: If your pet is covered by pet insurance, your provider might offer guidance on emergency services covered by your policy or assist in finding the nearest emergency veterinary facility. For example, with Furkin, members get access to 24/7 Telehealth Support to chat with a veterinary nurse, as well as Petriage Online, an online pet ‘triaging’ software application. 

Note: Always keep emergency contact numbers for veterinarians, animal clinics, and relevant pet emergency services readily available. Familiarize yourself with the locations and operating hours of nearby emergency veterinary clinics in your area, especially if you have pets that might be prone to health issues or accidents.

In urgent situations, acting promptly and seeking professional veterinary care can make a significant difference in the outcome for your pet.

Why Does Emergency Care Cost So Much?

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Emergency veterinary care often comes with higher costs compared to regular veterinary services. There are a few reasons why emergency care costs so much:

• After-hours availability: Emergency veterinary clinics operate outside regular business hours, often during nights, weekends, and holidays. This requires them to have specialized staff on call and ready to handle urgent cases, which can increase operational costs.
• Specialized equipment: Emergency clinics need to be equipped with specialized medical equipment, such as imaging tools (X-rays, ultrasounds), intensive care units (ICUs), surgical facilities, and blood analysis machines. Maintaining and using this equipment adds to the overall expenses.
• Specialized expertise: Emergency veterinarians often have advanced training and experience in handling critical and urgent cases. This level of expertise may command higher salaries and operational expenses.
• Higher overhead costs: Emergency clinics might have higher overhead costs associated with maintaining a 24/7 operation, including utilities, rent, insurance, and other administrative expenses.
• Emergency medications and supplies: Emergency situations sometimes require immediate access to medications, supplies, and specialized treatments that may be more expensive due to urgency or availability.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Vet Visits?

Sometimes. Pet insurance policies may differ in their coverage, limits, deductibles, and exclusions. Some pet insurance plans do cover emergency vet visits, while others might only offer it as an optional add-on or under specific conditions.

Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash

To determine whether a pet insurance company covers emergency vet visits, be sure to review their policy documentation, including terms, conditions, and coverage details. Look for information on emergency care, whether it includes after-hours visits, emergency hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and treatments required during sudden and unexpected situations.

Furkin Pet Insurance covers up to 80% of eligible expenses associated with a pet emergency, injury, or unexpected illness. We offer a comprehensive accident and illness product that provides up to $20,000 in annual benefits that renews each year, with no lifetime limits on any eligible condition, including emergency care!

How to Pay an Emergency Vet Bill Without Insurance

If you’re facing a high emergency vet bill, you should know that you have a few options available for covering the costs even without insurance. You don’t want your financial situation to be a blocker to accessing the best care for your pet.

Ask about a payment plan

Some veterinary clinics offer payment plans or financing options to help spread out the cost of emergency treatment over time. It doesn’t hurt to ask about their payment policies and whether they offer any flexible payment arrangements.

Look into veterinary assistance programs

Some charitable organizations, nonprofits, or local animal welfare groups (such as PAWS Canada™* or your local SPCA or humane society) provide financial aid or assistance for pet owners facing financial hardship. Research and reach out to these organizations to inquire about available support.

Reach out to your network

In dire situations, consider using crowdfunding platforms or fundraising efforts to seek financial assistance from friends, family, or animal welfare communities. Websites like GoFundMe™* or crowdfunding through social media platforms could help gather support.

Consider alternative treatments

Discuss treatment options with the veterinarian. In some cases, there might be alternative treatments or procedures that are less costly but still effective and appropriate for your pet's condition.

Cover immediate expenses with a credit card

Using a credit card, if available, can help cover immediate expenses. However, be mindful of high-interest rates and aim to pay off the balance as quickly as possible to avoid accumulating debt. 

Is it Too Late to Get Pet Insurance?

If your pet is already experiencing an emergency, it is likely too late to sign up for pet insurance and have it cover this vet bill for this emergency visit. This is because the sign-up and activation process can take a few days, and most policies have waiting periods – or the amount of time that must pass before types of conditions are eligible for coverage – before your coverage goes into effect.

Any condition your pet experiences prior to enrolling or during any applicable waiting periods would be considered pre-existing.  However, even though your pet may experience a condition prior to enrolling with a pet insurance policy, any new conditions your pet may experience in their lifetime will be covered, including emergency care if your policy covers this.   

If your pet is currently healthy and hasn't been diagnosed with any significant medical conditions, it’s a good time to consider pet insurance. It can help cover unexpected future illnesses, accidents, or emergencies!

Remember, the sooner you enroll your pet in insurance, the better, as it allows for coverage before any health issues arise.

Need pet insurance? Get a quote from Furkin Pet Insurance today!

*Furkin is not affiliated with PAWS Canada or GoFundMe and does not endorse or recommend these products. Trademarks are owned by their respective trademark owners.