| Ladymom | 07-06-2010 12:09 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by nana911
(Post 3188769)
I was hoping she had a regular vet. Surely she had one that she had been using in the past? I didn't know that about ER vets, thanks for the info. In all my years I've been fortunate in never having had to use one. My regular vets have all been close by and if necessary can be called out. I figure you use them enough during regular hours you should be able to call on them during a crisis.
|
You are lucky if that is the case. Most vets don't do after hours emergencies anymore.
ER vet hospitals are staffed by rotating vets evenings and on weekends. Since they don't have an established relationship with the patients they see, they insist on payment upfront. As you can imagine, emergencies can become very expensive, especially when hysterical owners want the vets to do everything possible to save a pet even though they cannot afford a $2,000 vet bill.
I had to take Lady to the ER vet last Labor Day weekend for HGE. We were brought into an examining room and a vet tech took her history and discussed tests, treatment options, etc. We were then shown back out to the waiting room. At that time I was given an estimate which had to be paid in full or Lady would not have been treated. It was $700 upfront before they did anything.
It's very important for everyone to have a special account for emergency vet bills or a credit card set aside for emergencies. Even if you have pet insurance, remember is doesn't work like ours does where you simply show your card to get treatment. You have to pay upfront, then submit the bills to your insurance company and wait for reimbursement. | 