When to Visit the Vet – Making the Right Call for Your Pet’s Health

It can be a daunting experience for both owners and pets, but visiting the vet is a crucial part of your relationship whether you have a cat, dog, hamster or snake. As they can be complex creatures that can’t always express when they are feeling ill or worse for wear, this is where your vet will be able to help keep them feeling their best.

As your vet can’t always be around to help you when at home, you’ll need to get good at spotting the signs your pet may need to visit them. Rather than brush something off as minor or not that serious, it can be best to take a cautious approach, especially as many common illnesses and injuries may only have subtle signs you can see to begin with.

Spotting symptoms early is the best way to prevent more serious conditions from developing, so below you will find further information on the common signs to look out for and why being financially prepared for the unexpected can ensure they get the right treatment.

Covering the Cost of Vet Visits

Let’s be honest, the financial side of pet ownership can sometimes take you by surprise. You’ve already made a commitment for life to ensure your pet’s health and well-being are looked after, and doing so can involve many different costs to budget for. If having a pet is a brand-new experience for you, hopefully, you’ve already researched the various costs you’ll need to cover, from their food to bedding and various toys and accessories. You’ll also need to think about other costs such as paying for routine treatment from vaccinations to worming and flea treatment, microchipping and their annual check-up.

What some may underestimate is the costs of treatment when the unexpected happens, and whilst your pet may be as fit as possible now, there is always the risk of serious illness and injuries that you can’t always plan for. That’s why having a good pet insurance policy will give you comprehensive cover that covers your pet’s full needs, so if they were to accidentally hurt themselves or suddenly get ill, you’ll be able to cover the full costs of treatment and their recovery. This can provide much more peace of mind than having to rely just on your savings to cover the costs, especially if it occurs at a difficult time for your finances.

As policies vary widely, with some only covering accidents and not illnesses, you’ll want to research different policies and find the best match for you and your pet. Once you have a suitable policy in place, you’ll then be prepared just in case you do spot something unusual and have to rush to the vet.

Common Signs Your Pet May Need a Vet

Deciding to take your pet to the vet will depend on the types of symptoms they are showing. In many cases, you may just need reassurance from your vet by speaking to them on the phone and explaining the situation. However, sometimes, time will be against you, and you’ll have to move quickly. Here are a few common reasons a visit will be necessary:

Changes in Behaviour – If your pet’s behaviour suddenly changes, such as being more tired and lacking energy than usual, being withdrawn and staying away from you, or not eating as much as usual, it could be they are in discomfort.

Eating and Drinking Habits – Changes in appetite and how much water they are drinking can indicate a problem, whether eating more or refusing to eat. This could be a dental issue or something internal.

Difficulty Moving – Difficulty standing up, walking, climbing stairs, or limping could mean your pet is experiencing pain from an injury or conditions like arthritis.

Unusual Noises – Increased whimpering, growling, or other types of vocalisations can be a sign of pain or discomfort, especially if this is unusual for them.

Breathing Issues – Heavy, rapid, or laboured breathing can be alarming and in most cases could be an emergency, especially if it isn’t related to being active such as your dog after a long walk or on a hot day.

Vomiting or Diarrhoea – If this is happening regularly or more than usual, it could indicate poisoning or other types of gastrointestinal issues. If you notice blood in either, as well as in urine, this can indicate a serious health problem.

Noticeable Weight Loss or Gain – If your pet loses weight quickly without a change in their diet, or they put on weight easily, your vet will need to check them. Also, if you notice any lumps, bumps, or areas of tenderness when touched, this should be checked too.

Eye or Ear Problems – Any type of discharge, redness, swelling, or excessive scratching from the eyes or ears can be common signs of infection that need attention.

You know your pet best, so if something seems off, always contact your vet. There will always be certain symptoms and behaviours that will indicate straight away it’s an emergency, such as difficulty breathing, collapsing, physical injuries, or seeing them eat something you know is toxic. Whatever it may be, don’t ignore it, as the quicker you act, the better chance they can make a full recovery

Routine Check-Ups vs. Emergency Visits

During an annual check-up, your vet will be able to check your pet’s overall health and recommend preventative treatments as well as keep their vaccinations up to date. This also ensures any early signs of a bigger health issue are caught early. According to a recent UK Pet Food report, 50% of dogs, 43% of cats, 31% of small mammals, and 9% of birds are overweight, with vets concerned about this growing problem. As obesity is a common issue for many types of pets with serious health complications, your vet will be able to indicate whether your pet is maintaining a healthy weight or needs some adjustments in their lifestyle.

With an emergency visit, your vet will be focusing on the issue at hand and will need as much information about the situation from you as possible. So, for example, if they have eaten something they shouldn’t, provide exact details of this, or if they are showing other symptoms like breathing difficulties or limping, explain what happened before you noticed this.

It’s important to have a plan in place for both your pet’s long-term health and what to do in an emergency. Many things can be prevented if you keep an eye on their diet and lifestyle and protect your pet from anything hazardous they might encounter.

Always Speak To Your Vet If Unsure

Hopefully, you are feeling more confident about when you may need to go to the vet, either at short notice during something unexpected or when you need to maintain their health throughout their lifetime. By following their expert advice and helping your pet lead a healthy, active lifestyle, it should mean you can help them live a long happy life at home with you.

When in doubt about anything health-related, always speak to your vet – your pet may not be able to say it, but they will appreciate you looking out for them each and every day.