How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost?

Veterinary emergencies can happen quickly, without warning and at any hour. To help you prepare for an accident or illness, here is some advice on how to recognize a pet emergency and prepare for treatment, as well as how much you can expect an emergency vet visit to cost.

If you’re ever concerned about your pet and can’t reach your regular veterinarian, a trip to the emergency vet may be in order.

What Is an Emergency Vet?

An emergency veterinarian specializes in treating life-threatening illnesses and injuries. They have the same initial training and certification as a general veterinarian and have also completed an emergency and critical care residency program. Emergency veterinarians may consult with specialists, see pets at the referral of a general veterinarian (much like a general human doctor referring someone with an acute injury or illness to an emergency room) and work in pet hospitals or emergency clinics.

How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost?

The total cost of an emergency vet visit can vary greatly based on the injury, condition, pet insurance (if applicable) and whether your pet has a chronic condition that may require multiple emergency vet visits over their lifetime. The national average cost* of an ER exam for dogs is $125 but could range from $96 to $236 depending on a number of factors. For cats, the average cost* for an emergency checkup is $121, with a range of $94 to $228.¹

Additional charges for services such as diagnostic tests, medications, treatments, hospitalization or surgery can also increase the cost of an emergency vet visit. If overnight hospitalization at a veterinary clinic is required, for example, the average nightly cost range for a dog is $222 to $567, and $99 to $243 for a cat.¹

Average cost of an emergency vet visit by state/district

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* for an emergency vet visit for a dog and cat in all 50 states across the United States and the District of Columbia.¹

Does Insurance Cover an Emergency ER visit?

Your pet insurance may cover part of the cost of an emergency veterinary visit, as long as the visit is not associated with a preexisting condition. However, most plans require you to pay for the visit out of pocket — with the insurance company reimbursing you at a later date — so you will need to have funds on hand to pay for your pet's care.

Signs of a Pet Emergency

If your pet is involved in an accident or has an altercation with another animal, gently check them for wounds, pain, difficulty breathing or other injury. Emergency situations can be very stressful for both you and your pet. Do your best to remain calm, and gently reassure them. If you can, carefully place them in a blanket or carrier for their comfort. Pets may be in pain or upset, so be aware they might struggle or bite.

Any of these situations can be an emergency, and you should contact your veterinarian or head to the nearest emergency vet immediately:

• Abnormal behavior, including but not limited to sudden aggression, stiffness or difficulty moving around, panting, drooling or restlessness
• Accidental ingestion of poison or other foreign object
• Bloated or distended stomach
• Blood in stool
• Blood in urine
• Choking and/or difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Eye injury
• Fractured bone
• Heat stress or heatstroke
• Loss of consciousness
• Painful urination or bowel movement or inability to pass urine or stool
• Refusal to drink water for 24 hours or more
• Seizures or convulsions
• Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop after a few minutes, especially if the blood is coming from a wound or your pet's nose, mouth or rectum
• Severe vomiting and/or diarrhea (more than twice in 24 hours or when combined with any other issue)

Anytime your pet appears to be in severe pain or discomfort, call your veterinarian immediately.

How to Prepare for an Emergency Vet Visit

The best way to prepare for a pet emergency is to think ahead:

• Familiarize yourself with emergency clinics in your area, including addresses and phone numbers. Also note the ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Center hotline.
• Be ready to properly transport your pet with a crate (or a cardboard box in a pinch), blanket and possibly a muzzle — even the gentlest pet can get aggressive or snappy when they are in pain.
• Have important documents, such as medical records and vaccination history, easily accessible in your glove box or on your phone.
• Contact the veterinary hospital to let them know you’re on your way.
• Have someone else drive you, if possible.

You may also want to put together a pet first aid kit so you can treat minor injuries at home and get a head start on emergency treatment.

What to Expect at the Emergency Vet

Calling the veterinarian in advance to give them a heads up that you are coming allows them to be ready for your arrival. Depending on the severity of your pet’s condition and how many other patients are already there, you may or may not be seen right away.

When your pet is ready to be examined, the emergency veterinarian and their staff — trained to treat life-threatening injuries and illnesses — will take care of any immediate concerns and assess your pet’s situation. This will include asking you questions and conducting a physical exam of your pet, just like at the regular vet.

The emergency veterinarian may need to do some diagnostics to assess what the best treatment would be to help your pet. Common tests include blood work, X-rays and ultrasound, and they most likely will recommend medications (like pain relief) or other treatments and procedures to keep your pet stable.

Your pet may need to stay overnight or may be sent home with treatment directions. You’ll want to follow up with your regular veterinarian when possible.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Pet Emergencies

The CareCredit credit card provides a convenient way to pay for your pet's vaccinations and other health and wellness expenses, including exams, medications and products at providers in the CareCredit network.** Apply today and continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos. Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian that accepts CareCredit to help keep your pet healthy and happy for a lifetime of love.

In addition to pet care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Dr. Kathy Wiederkehr (Wentworth) has been practicing veterinary medicine at pet care facilities in California since 2001. Most recently, she served as medical director of the VCA PetPoint Medical Center and Resort in Irvine. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and became board-certified as a diplomate in Canine and Feline Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2010.