Urgent veterinary care clinics for pets

LTS3

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Is this a new thing now? A PetMedic veterinary chain is opening up an Urgent Care Clinic in my neighborhood Urgent Care – PetMedic The space in the existing building is small and odd shaped so it definitely won't have more than an exam room or two, the waiting area, and the "back room" for technical procedures and basic equipment. The posters on the windows says the clinic will open Spring 2020. The chain's full service vet hospitals only do cats and dogs so I'm guessing the urgent care clinic will only do cats and dogs as well.

I know I won't be using this urgent care place for my cats. With their issues, it just makes sense to bring them to the vet hospital where all their records are.
 

Willowy

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Huh. I think most private-practice vets try to keep a few appointments open every day for urgent issues, but I suppose it makes sense for a chain in a larger city to have a specific urgent care clinic. I'm sure they'll get plenty of business.
 
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LTS3

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I wonder what the hours of the urgent care clinic will be. I can see Sundays, when most regular vet hospitals aren't open, and late evening hours would be convenient for many pet owners because you know pets tend to have issues during non-regular business hours.
 

Kieka

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There is an emergency and specialist clinic about 25-35 minutes from me. They are quiet large, 8 exam rooms plus 80% of their space is the staff only area, but can do most tests in house. They are open 24/7 so it's where I go if my regular vet is closed and I don't think it can wait. It's nice to have some place you can go without an appointment when the need strikes but I can't see an urgent care being helpful if it has limited hours.
 

FeralHearts

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LTS3 LTS3 I was wondering about hours too as thy aren't listed. Strange.

We have on ER clinic in the area about 15 -20 minutes away. $1000 + just to walk in the door. I'd love to see a few more after hours clinics that were a touch more reasonable cost wise.
 
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LTS3

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I meant that it would probably be open during typical weekday business hours with extended evening hours and weekend hours that are convenient for pet owners who aren't able to bring a pet in during typical business hours. I'll keep looking as I pass by the place for the posted hours which many business put on their front doors or windows. I'm sure the urgent care clinic would be beneficial to many pet owners in the area. I just wouldn't have a need to use it since I just go straight to the vet hospital which has a 24/7 ER and immediate access to all my pets (including critters) detailed records.
 

Jem

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In our area we don't have a specific urgent care place. All (at least most) of the vet practices are on a rotation as the "on call" clinic for after hours and weekend emergencies. You call the emergency number, and they will direct you to which vet is on call. There is a fee to use the ER services, I think it's 300$ or something and whatever the regular cost of the visit/tests/care etc. is. Not a bad set up, unless you end up having to use a vet that you don't like.
The vet that I currently use has always squeezed us in, in an emergency (during operating hours). Thankfully the few emergencies that we have encountered were during their business hours. I've also had to wait a littler longer for a scheduled appointment because she squeezed in someone else's pet. And I don't mind because she will do the same for me.
I have only ever had to use the ER services once several years ago for a urinary blockage, because the (useless) vet that I ended up having to go to (before I was a client of my current vet) did not do diligence when we were there and he RE-blocked.
 
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LTS3

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An urgent care vet clinic would be great for the neighborhood. There are two full service vet hospitals within 1/4 mile of thew new urgent care place with typical weekday hours and that do take in emergencies during business hours but the closest 24/7 ER for non-emergencies but still urgent issues is on the far side of the next town over in an area that's desolate and dark at night (business / warehouse type area) and is not accessible by public transportation to anyone who doesn't drive. So a place that is walk-able to and with a bus stop right in front is great. An urgent care place obviously won't replace regular veterinary care but will be able to treat minor things until a pet owner can get the pet to the regular vet for further care and treatment.
 
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muffy

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LTS3 LTS3 I was wondering about hours too as thy aren't listed. Strange.

We have on ER clinic in the area about 15 -20 minutes away. $1000 + just to walk in the door. I'd love to see a few more after hours clinics that were a touch more reasonable cost wise.
I have a ER clinic about 5-10 minutes from my house and it cost $1,000 just to walk in the door. I only had to go there about 4 or 5 times and not once did I like the vet that treated my cats.
 

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We are fortunate to have two emergency vet clinics. The one I have used is priced about the same as my regular vet and the vets there have always been great.
 

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Always had bad results with emergency room vets. Too expensive! A veterinary aide told me they are expensive due to the cost of staying open odd hours. Whether they are good or not is the chance you take.
 
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LTS3

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The hours are posted on the clinic windows. Weekdays 4 pm to 11 pm. Weekends 11 am to 7 pm. So it's definitely open when many regular vet hospitals in the area are not. No opening date has been posted yet. I glimpsed through the windows and saw that a wall has been put in to create a small waiting area in the front. Workers were still busy doing various things inside: painting, electrical, etc.
 
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LTS3

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The urgent care clinic is spreading the word about the business :) The local independent market has these flyers posted at the check out lanes (picture edited for privacy):


20200126_081210_HDR~2.jpg


I took a look at the web site. The owner is a vet and his name sounds oddly familiar. I read his bio and he went to one of the local universities and then the local vet school and then a internship at the vet hospital I frequent. So he's familiar with the area and what kind of vet services the area needs
:agree:


The business looks almost ready to open. When I passed by on Friday the inside looked all set and the people were doing minor touch ups and stuff and setting the front desk set up with a computer and everything.

I hope the business does well and gives pet owners an alternative option to the ER for minor after hours issues
:)
 
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