How Expensive Is an Emergency Vet?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

If your pet has a sudden serious illness or injury, an emergency vet can offer quick treatment at any time of day or night. However, emergency vet visits can be expensive. The total cost will depend on your pet’s size and species, the severity of the issue, and whether they need overnight care.

For minor emergencies treated the same day, you might pay a few hundred dollars. But if your pet needs advanced treatment or hospitalization, the bill can quickly climb into the thousands, explains Tom Bean, vice president of insurance service operations at Figo Pet Insurance.

Understanding the cost of emergency vet care can help you plan ahead and build a pet emergency fund, so you’re financially ready if the unexpected happens. Here’s what to know about pricing, why preparation matters, and how pet insurance can help.

Breakdown of Emergency Vet Costs for Cats and Dogs

Emergency vet costs can vary widely depending on the issue and the clinic’s location. Here’s a breakdown of common services and what you can expect to pay for cats and dogs.

Why Do Emergency Vets Cost So Much?

Emergency vet bills reflect a wide range of behind-the-scenes costs that make 24/7 urgent care possible. Here’s what’s typically factored into that price tag:

• Labor and staffing: Emergency clinics are staffed 24/7 by vets, vet techs, and support staff. Overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts require higher pay, which contributes to the cost of care.
• Specialty expertise: Emergency vet teams are specially trained to handle a wide range of urgent situations and deliver life-saving care. Some clinics also have board-certified critical care vets and vet technician specialists on staff. This raises the overall level of expertise and care available.
• Advanced equipment: Emergency vet hospitals are equipped to support critically ill pets with advanced tools like ventilators, defibrillators, oxygen cages, isolation wards, and more.
• Advanced treatment options: Emergency clinics often offer more services than a general vet practice does, including emergency surgery, transfusions, and other life-saving interventions.
• Urgency and unscheduled care: Emergency vets must be prepared for anything at any time, which means keeping staff and resources available for unpredictable situations. This level of readiness comes with a higher operational cost.

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What Does an Emergency Vet Bill Look Like?

Let’s say your dog ate a sock. The timing of when you catch it can make a big difference in both treatment and cost. Consider these two scenarios:

Case #1: Your dog swallowed a sock a few minutes ago. They’re acting just fine with no symptoms.

Estimated cost of treatment: $300-$800.

Treatment will likely include:

• Emergency exam fee
• X-rays or ultrasound to confirm location of sock
• Induced vomiting, if safe and timely
• Anti-nausea medication and monitoring

Case #2: Your dog is lethargic, vomiting, and hasn’t pooped in days. The sock is now blocking their intestines.

Estimated cost of treatment: $3,000-$6,000+.

Treatment will likely include:

• Emergency exam and diagnostics
• Hospitalization and IV fluids
• Abdominal surgery to remove the obstruction
• Pain management, antibiotics, and post-op monitoring

Emergency vs. Regular Vet

Sometimes, you can just take your pet to their regular vet instead of an emergency vet, but this depends on the situation.

“In true emergencies, where timing is critical, such as breathing problems, trauma, poisoning, or unresponsiveness, it’s best to go directly to an emergency facility,” says Dr. Stephanie Howell, medical director and emergency veterinarian with VEG ER for Pets.

Emergency clinics have trained staff and equipment to handle urgent, life-threatening cases, even during nights, weekends, and holidays when regular vets are typically closed, she explains.

That said, if your regular vet is open and you don’t know whether your pet has a true emergency, give them a call. They can usually let you know whether they can treat your pet or if you should head to an emergency clinic.

Alternative resources to an emergency vet

In addition to contacting your regular vet during business hours, you can also get advice from other resources:

• Pet Poison Helpline: Available 24/7, this service can help if your pet has ingested something potentially toxic. Fees may apply. Call 855-764-7661.
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Available 24/7, this poison control line can help assess the risk of what your pet ate and offer advice on next steps. Fees may apply. Call 888-426-4435.
• Tele-triage services: Some pet health platforms, like VetTriage, offer virtual triage with licensed vets or vet techs. They can’t make a diagnosis or treat your pet, but they can help you decide what to do based on the urgency of your pet’s symptoms.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Most comprehensive pet insurance plans cover emergency vet care and can help reduce out-of-pocket costs by covering a portion of your pet’s medical bills, Bean says. Coverage amounts and reimbursement rates vary, depending on your provider and plan, he adds.

Common reimbursement levels are 70%, 80%, or 90% of eligible costs, after you meet your deductible.

One important caveat: pet insurance usually won’t cover pre-existing conditions, or health issues your pet had before your policy begins. This means your insurance plan probably won’t cover an emergency visit related to a health condition your pet had before your policy started—even if your plan includes emergency care.

How do deductibles work?

A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before your pet insurance plan starts to reimburse you for eligible veterinary costs, Bean explains.

Say your dog ate a sock and needs emergency surgery that costs $4,000. Your plan has a $500 annual deductible and covers 80% of eligible expenses.

You pay the first $500 (the deductible), then your insurer reimburses you for 80% of the remaining $3,500. That means you’d get $2,800 back and be responsible for $1,200 total.

In most cases, you’ll still need to pay the full bill up front and then submit a claim for reimbursement.

Budgeting Tips for the Future

Emergency vet bills can be overwhelming, but a little planning can go a long way toward easing the stress. Here are a few ways to prepare financially:

• Create a pet emergency fund: Set aside a small amount each month in a separate savings account specifically for pet emergencies. Even $25-$50 per month can add up over time and help cushion the blow if something unexpected happens.
• Consider pet insurance: Pet insurance can help offset the high cost of emergency care, but timing matters. Enroll your pet as soon as possible after adoption or purchase to avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Pet insurance premiums (the monthly amount you pay for coverage) can range anywhere from $10 to $100+.
• Look into CareCredit: CareCredit is a credit card designed for medical expenses, including vet care. It offers short-term financing options, often with no interest if paid off within a set timeframe.
• Learn about charitable organizations: Some nonprofit groups offer financial assistance for emergency veterinary care, especially for pet parents facing hardship. Examples include RedRover Relief, The Pet Fund, and local animal welfare organizations.

Can you negotiate a vet bill?

Negotiating a vet bill isn’t standard practice, as most clinics have set fees for their services. That said, you may still have options if cost is a concern.

Some clinics may work with you to adjust the treatment plan based on your budget. They might be able to prioritize the most critical care first and postpone less urgent procedures until later. Some also offer payment plans, accept CareCredit, or can connect you with charitable organizations that help with veterinary expenses.

Just keep in mind that once treatment begins, you’ll have much less wiggle room, if any. This makes it important to explain your budget from the start and ask for a detailed breakdown of the estimated costs.

When Should You Take Your Pet to the Emergency Vet?

Not every health issue requires rushing to the ER, but some symptoms demand immediate medical attention.

If your pet is having trouble with basic life functions, including breathing, walking, eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, or resting comfortably, take them to the vet immediately, says Dr. Morgan Gunn, emergency vet at VEG ER for Pets.

Symptoms that indicate a true emergency for cats and dogs include:

• Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop within five minutes
• Choking, trouble breathing, or constant coughing and gagging
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth, rectum, or in urine
• Coughing up blood
• Straining or inability to urinate or defecate, especially with signs of pain
• Eye injuries or trauma involving the eyes
• Known or suspected ingestion of something toxic, such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, or rodent poison
• Seizures, disorientation, or staggering
• Broken bones, severe limping, or inability to move a limb
• Signs of extreme pain or intense anxiety
• Symptoms of heatstroke, like heavy panting, drooling, weakness, or collapse
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea, especially if it happens more than twice in 24 hours or with other symptoms
• Not drinking water for 24 hours or more
• Unresponsiveness or unconsciousness
• Bloated or distended stomach, especially in dogs

If you’re concerned about your pet’s health, it’s always worth calling your vet or an emergency clinic for guidance.