No one plans for an emergency with their pet. Illnesses and injuries can appear suddenly and often outside of regular clinic hours, leaving you with the stressful decision to head to the veterinary emergency room (ER). Understanding the process ahead of time can make a difficult situation less overwhelming. Below is a detailed look at how a typical ER visit works, why costs can be higher than expected, and why pet insurance can make emergencies much more manageable.

Step 1: Arrival and Triage

When you arrive at the ER (or for CTVRC, when you register with our online waiting room), a veterinary technician will meet you and quickly assess your pet. This step is called triage. The technician’s job is to determine how urgent your pet’s situation is and make sure that the sickest or most unstable patients are seen first.

For example:

A pet that is struggling to breathe, seizing, or severely injured will be taken to the treatment area immediately for life-saving stabilization.

A pet with less critical issues, like a mild limp or ear infection, will need to wait until more urgent patients have been stabilized.

This system ensures that every pet gets the care they need, in order of medical priority.

Step 2: Check-In

You will be guided through the check-in process. This usually involves:

Filling out admission paperwork.

Providing a brief history of your pet’s health, current problem, medications, and any recent changes.

Step 3: Consultation with the Doctor

When it’s your pet’s turn, the veterinarian will perform a full physical examination and review the information provided at check-in, as well as taking a full medical history. After the exam, the doctor will discuss their initial findings and recommend next steps.

You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and get a clear understanding of what the doctor suspects might be going on.

Step 4: Treatment Plan

The veterinarian will present a treatment plan tailored to your pet’s condition. This plan typically includes:

Recommended diagnostic tests.

Any treatments needed right away.

An overview of potential next steps depending on the results.

An estimate for the costs of care.

If some test results are available immediately, such as bloodwork or X-rays, the doctor will review them with you during the visit. Other results, like specialized lab tests, may take longer.

Step 5: Hospitalization or Discharge

Based on your pet’s condition, there are generally two possible outcomes:

Discharge home: If your pet is stable and can be safely cared for at home, they will be discharged with medications and care instructions.

Hospitalization: If your pet needs ongoing monitoring or treatment (such as oxygen therapy, IV fluids, or surgery), they will be admitted to the hospital.

If hospitalization is required, the hospital will typically request a deposit toward the estimated cost of care at the time of admission. This allows the veterinary team to begin treatment immediately.

Why Veterinary ER Costs Can Be High

Many pet owners are surprised at the cost of emergency veterinary care. While it may feel unexpected, there are important reasons behind it:

24/7 staffing: Emergency hospitals are open nights, weekends, and holidays. Highly trained staff are needed around the clock, ready to treat any emergency that walks in the door.

Specialized equipment: ERs have advanced diagnostic tools like ultrasound, X-ray, blood analyzers, and sometimes CT scanners—all available on-site to provide rapid answers.

Critical care treatments: Emergencies often require oxygen therapy, IV infusions, blood transfusions, plasma, or surgery. These treatments are resource-intensive, similar to a human ICU.

No government subsidy: Unlike human medicine, veterinary care is not supported by public healthcare systems. Costs must be covered directly by the pet owner.

Think of it this way: a veterinary ER is the equivalent of a human emergency department plus an ICU—but without automatic OHIP coverage.

The Role of Pet Insurance

This is where pet insurance becomes incredibly valuable. Having coverage means you can make medical decisions for your pet based on what they need—not what you can afford at the moment. Depending on your policy, pet insurance may cover:

• Diagnostics (bloodwork, imaging, lab tests)

• Hospitalization and monitoring

• Surgery

• Medications

Without insurance, many families are faced with very difficult financial decisions in the middle of an emergency. With insurance, you can focus on your pet’s care, knowing you’ll be reimbursed for a significant portion of the costs.

Even a modest monthly premium can save thousands of dollars during a single emergency and provide peace of mind when you need it most.

How to Be Prepared

Have a plan: Know the location of your nearest 24/7 veterinary ER before you need it.

Keep records handy: Bring a list of your pet’s medications, allergies, and recent medical history.

Consider insurance: Look into pet insurance while your pet is still healthy, so you’re covered if the unexpected happens.

Set aside funds: If insurance isn’t an option, consider creating an emergency savings account for your pet’s care. Please be aware even with insurance, you will likely need to pay for care up front, with insurance offering a reimbursement.

Final Thoughts

Visiting the veterinary ER is never easy, but understanding the process can help you feel more confident and prepared. From triage to hospitalization, every step is designed to prioritize your pet’s well-being. While emergency care can be expensive, those costs reflect the advanced level of care, equipment, and staff available around the clock.

With preparation—and ideally with pet insurance—you can face emergencies knowing you’re ready to make the best choices for your pet.