In Case of Emergency

Video from an Orlando Emergency Veterinary Clinic.

I realize that we don't like to think about the "bad" things in life, least of all those that haven't happened yet. Nobody wants to write a Will or think about what they would do if their cat or dog were to get sick on a Sunday or at 3am. But the above video underscores why it is important to know what we're going to do if Fluffy or Spot does fall ill at an inconvenient time.

Probably about seven years ago now, Mike's beagle puppy had fallen ill. It was a Friday night when Julia hurled her kibble on the living room floor. Okay, no biggie. She was a curious puppy and probably just ate something she wasn't supposed outside, yacked it up and would then feel better. She are and drank and seemed to be a little better through out Saturday. We walked the yard and didn't find anything suspect, so life moved on. Sunday the heaving didn't stop and she stopped even drinking water. She wanted to do nothing but lay on the cement outside and mope.

We Google'd the closest emergency vet's office, loaded her up with a blanket and off we went. It was the very same office in the video. I remember two things about them: everyone we met there was cold and it was expensive. Julia stayed one night there, being treated for what turned out to be Parvo, and the amount was beyond triple digits. We moved her to our regular vet (at that time) first thing Monday morning and agreed we'd never be going back to that location. The people there just...didn't seem right.

Since then, I've moved and found a wonderful veterinary practice that is available to be paged after hours. I adore them and can't imagine taking our pets anywhere else. They're reasonable with their pricing and don't force extra/unnecessary testing upon you. Seeing this video today reminded me of just how very lucky we are to have them. And Mike and I were right...there was (IS; apparently, that woman has not been fired after her actions, but merely moved their Kirkman Road clinic.) something wrong with those people.

So, if it's 4pm on Sunday and Fluffy has a seizure, if your vet available? If not, where will you take him? Please take a moment to search for local emergency animal hospitals in your area and check their reviews, before you're in a panic and just searching for first available. Add that phone number and address to your emergency contacts list and go on with your day. Hopefully, you'll never have to use it, but if you do, it's there.