When most dog owners think of the emergency room visits, they
think of broken bones or severe traumas. However, the most common reasons for
emergency room visits are minor problems that just happen to flare up
after-hours when regular veterinary offices are closed, leaving emergency rooms
as the only available option for treatment.
The costs of these ER visits varies depending on the area of the
country, what tests were done, how serious the case was, and whether the canine’s
issue was treated in the hospital or as an outpatient.
Here are the three most common reasons dogs are brought to the
ER, the average costs to treat them, and how you can prevent them. Please note
that these are just estimates, and every hospital will have their own unique
rates.
1. Vomiting
Hands down, this brings more canine patients into emergency
clinics than any other condition. There are lots of causes for vomiting,
ranging from serious metabolic diseases to dietary indiscretions. If you bring
your dog into an emergency room for vomiting, and he leaves with symptomatic
treatment and no tests, you’re likely looking at a bill of $140 to $204. With
blood work, x-rays and medication to bring home, that cost jumps to $325 to
$580, and
with blood work, x-rays, IV fluids, medication, and 24-hour hospitalization, you’re looking at a $480 to $855 bill.
with blood work, x-rays, IV fluids, medication, and 24-hour hospitalization, you’re looking at a $480 to $855 bill.
You can help prevent vomiting in your dog by always feeding him a
good quality diet (no table scraps!). Also, don't feed your dogs cooked or
small bones, and resist giving them bones with lots of fat or raw meat. Prevent
exposure to trash and any other objects that your dog may swallow. Finally,
whenever you make any changes to your dog’s diet, do them gradually.
2. Diarrhea
Parasites, dietary changes or indiscretions, and metabolic
diseases can cause diarrhea. Another common cause of diarrhea (and vomiting) is
parvovirus. Commonly called "parvo," this virus can quickly weaken an
otherwise healthy dog and is frequently fatal. Make sure your dog is properly
vaccinated against parvo during their regular veterinary exam. An ER visit for
diarrhea with symptomatic treatment and no tests will cost $100 to $188. With
blood work, x-rays and medication to bring home, you’re looking at a $365 to
$540
bill, and with blood work, x-rays, IV fluids, medication, and 24-hour hospitalization, $480 to $795.
bill, and with blood work, x-rays, IV fluids, medication, and 24-hour hospitalization, $480 to $795.
The best ways to prevent diarrhea in dogs is to prevent exposure
to trash. When letting your dog outside, keep him confined to a fenced-in yard
or on a leash to prevent him from getting into and eating things he shouldn't.
Diet is also key. Be sure to consistently feed your dog good quality food,
avoid cooked bones (especially those used to prepare people food), and keep his
diet free of greasy or fatty foods. Again, make any dietary changes gradually.
3. Not Eating
The lack of an appetite is a common symptom and can be caused by
just about every problem a dog can get, from very minor to serious. It also can
be very scary for a dog owner, which is why it often leads to ER visits. With
symptomatic treatment and no tests, the ER bill will be $120 to $165, with
blood work, x-rays and medication to bring home, $390 to $570, and with blood
work, x-rays, IV fluids, medication, and 24-hour hospitalization, $475 to $820.
Because there are so many possible causes (including infections,
trauma, parasites, and various other diseases), this is one condition that is
hard to prevent. The best thing you can do is to keep your dog safe and prevent
exposure to problem items such as trash, medications, and toxins.
The Best Prevention
These three problems are very common and, unfortunately, they are
likely to affect your dog at one time or another. And the costs for these
ailments can add up — especially as some may require more than one visit or supervised
time in the hospital for recuperation or to determine the underlying causes.
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