For most pet owners, it can be a scary situation when a pet becomes ill or injured. This often means a trip to the vet is necessary to determine the cause of the health issue. However, pets can become ill or get injured at any time, and this may happen after the veterinarian's office has closed for the day. Some vets remain on call even when their offices are closed, but this is not always the case. Fortunately, animal hospitals have more flexible hours and also provide a wide variety of care for animals. These are some of the different services that are commonly offered at an animal hospital.
Emergency Care
Animal hospitals often have an emergency department much like that of a regular hospital. In this area, animals that are severely ill or injured can be seen by a vet more quickly. This type of care may involve a variety of different services including diagnostic testing, emergency lab work, and emergency surgery if necessary. For instance, if a dog has swallowed a toy, x rays or an ultrasound can be done to determine where inside the dog that the toy may be lodged. This helps the veterinarian decide if emergency surgery is necessary to remove it.
If a pet has been hit by a car or has broken a bone in some way, tests can be done to determine if surgery can correct the problem. If an animal is ill, the emergency department may be able to administer certain medications that will help the animal to feel better until it can be seen by the vet who normally treats it.
Routine Surgery
If an animal needs a routine surgery, such as a spay or neuter, removal of benign skin growths, or dental surgery, this can also be provided at an animal hospital. If the regular vet will not be available to perform these services in his office, he may refer the pet to an animal hospital to have the procedure done. Animal owners also commonly take their pets to animal hospitals for labor and delivery care as well. This is helpful in case the animal has complications that may require that she and her babies are admitted to the animal hospital after delivery has occurred.
Treatment For Specific Health Conditions
If a pet needs to receive ongoing treatment for several weeks for a certain health condition, such as cancer, this can also be performed at an animal hospital. The animal may receive chemotherapy treatments every day or every few days for an extended period of time, which may require that it remains in the animal hospital until the treatments are completed.
An animal hospital can provide every type of service that a veterinarian's office performs as well as many they do not offer. This gives pet owners the peace of mind that their beloved pets will receive the best care possible to help them regain their good health.