Emergency vet at home vs 24-hour clinic: which does your pet actually need?

When it comes to an emergency consultation, it is not always obvious if your pet would be better seen at home or in the clinic.

This article discusses the pros and cons of each and identifies the cases in which an at home visit may not be appropriate.

Key takeaways

• At home visits can be done during routine and emergency hours but the veterinary team are limited in what they can do in your home
• Some emergencies should always be seen in the 24-hour clinic, particularly if the animal needs urgent diagnostic tests or surgical interventions
• When staying at home is a suitable option, it can be less stressful all around and is worth considering
  

What Is the Difference Between an At-Home Emergency Vet and a 24-Hour Clinic?

A vet who comes to your home is able to assess your pet in person and can provide certain therapies. In comparison, a 24-hour clinic will usually have several staff members on site and there will be facilities including oxygen chambers, diagnostic imaging machines, and the option of rapid results for blood and urine tests.

What an At-Home Emergency Vet Can Do

From your home, vets are able to perform a small number of diagnostic tests, such as a blood pressure check. However, they will not have access to diagnostic tools like X-rays.

The emergency vet will take a clinical history from you and perform a thorough physical examination of your pet. This should enable them to make a plan for the next steps, which could include transporting the pet to the clinic or providing medication.

What a 24-Hour Clinic Can Do

The clinic is well set up for dealing with sick animals. They have the staff and equipment to perform diagnostic testing, closely monitor the pet and to start interventions such as intravenous fluid drips, oxygen provision or surgery.

When Should You Choose an Emergency Vet at Home?

There will be occasions when it makes more sense to have the vet come to your home.

Situations Better Suited to Home Care

Sometimes it is easier to arrange the consultation to be at your house. This can be the case for dogs who are very large and struggling with their mobility, or when you feel your pet is at the end of their life and you want a peaceful euthanasia that does not involve transporting them.

Why Staying Home Can Be Safer for Some Pets

Some pets may struggle or become highly stressed when being transported or when at a vet clinic. For many rabbits and birds, who are ‘prey’ animals, a visit to a vet clinic could worsen some medical conditions.

When Should You Go Straight to a 24-Hour Clinic?

There are some cases when it is wise to head straight to the clinic, rather than waiting for a vet assessment at home.

Red-Flag Symptoms That Need a Clinic

You should always be seen at a clinic when your pet:

• Is in respiratory distress
• Is actively bleeding
• Is experiencing ongoing seizures
• Has a urinary blockage
• Is vomiting blood
• Is collapsed or quickly deteriorating
• Has symptoms of a GDV i.e. a suddenly bloated abdomen
  

  
  

Why Some Emergencies Need Hospital Equipment

There are some emergency situations that cannot be adequately treated from home. For example, patients in respiratory distress may need to be placed in an oxygen chamber or those who are dehydrated will need ongoing fluid therapy..

Some situations can only be managed surgically, such as a dog who needs a C-section or a ruptured splenic tumour that is causing internal bleeding.

At-Home Emergency Vet vs 24-Hour Clinic: Side-by-Side Comparison

There are pros and cons to each approach.

Speed and Cost

Depending on veterinarian availability and the number of patients in the clinic, it may be some time before the vet is able to come to your home. This means your pet is often seen quicker when you travel to the clinic yourself.

There is an extra cost incurred when the vet comes to your own home, and this can be several hundred pounds. This takes into account the fact that the vet has to travel and be away from the clinic and the other patients.

Level of Care and Equipment

It is important to realise that vets are very limited in what they can do during a home visit. While home visits can work well for things like putting a pet to sleep, a vet cannot perform any surgery from your home, and the diagnostic testing they can do is very limited.

How Do You Decide in the Moment?

It can seem like an overwhelming decision, but there are some checks you can do from home, to determine the best next step.

A Simple Decision Checklist

If you are concerned your pet is:

• Rapidly deteriorating or acting very differently to normal
• Not coping with e.g. their breathing, pain levels, or mobility
• In danger of passing away
• In need of an emergency procedure (such as a chest drain, c-section, or surgery for bloat
  

The best decision is to have them seen at the vet clinic, and the sooner you can bring them the better. Click here to find an emergency vet near you.

How Much Does Each Option Cost?

Costs will vary from clinic to clinic and depend on a number of factors, so do contact your local veterinary clinic directly for a more accurate estimate.

Typical At-Home Callout Costs

Callout fees range from about £100-300, depending on where you are in the country and how far the vet has to travel. This does not include the emergency consultation fee or the cost of any tests, interventions or medication.

Typical 24-Hour Clinic Costs

While there will not be a callout fee associated with being seen in an emergency clinic, the consult fee is typically around £150-300 due to the out of hours nature of the visit.

Get Emergency Veterinary Advice for Your Pet

Talk to an emergency vet at any time if you are concerned for your pet’s wellbeing or feel they may be very unwell or in pain.

Emergency Vet at Home vs 24-Hour Clinic: FAQs

Is an at-home emergency vet as good as a clinic?

When an emergency visit takes place in your home, the vet will be limited in what they are able to do. If your pet needs certain diagnostic tests or surgical procedures, your vet will likely want them seen in the clinic.

Can a vet put a pet to sleep at home in an emergency?

Yes, a vet can put a pet to sleep at home. Indeed, a peaceful euthanasia at home is one of the best ways to allow a beloved pet to pass away with dignity and without feeling stressed or anxious.

What counts as a real pet emergency?

True emergencies are situations when your pet’’s life is in danger or they are experiencing a lot of pain. Some common examples would include internal bleeding, a recent vehicle collision or a urinary blockage.

How quickly can an emergency vet come to my home?

How quickly your vet can get to you is going to depend on their caseload and the distance they need to travel. In an emergency situation, they will do their best to arrive as quickly as possible.

Will my pet insurance cover an at-home emergency visit?

Many insurers do cover the costs of at-home emergency visits, but not all will. You should check the wording of your policy or call your insurance company directly to find out.