As the number of pet-owning households continues to grow in the United States, veterinary care is developing as well. Choosing the right provider gives your pet the best chance of a full and speedy recovery. Other than specialists, there are three basic health care choices.
Primary Veterinarian
Sneezing or runny nose – Coughing without difficulty breathing – Itchy ears or skin
Limping – Hot spots – Broken nail – Vaccines and prevention
This is your regular veterinarian, like Dr. Findora at Fox Run Animal Hospital. This is where you go for prevention, vaccines, oral health exams, maintenance of a chronic condition, etc. These visits are scheduled in advance. According to Care Credit, 86.8% of dog owners and 77.1% of cat owners have a primary veterinarian1. Like a PCP in human medicine, primary care is aimed at providing comprehensive care over the lifetime of your pet to maintain health and prevent disease. This is the most economical care; it is fairly routine and can be budgeted for.
Generally, there is little to no urgency for these appointments. Even for unexpected illnesses such as weight loss, skin irritation, sneezing or coughing, or inconsistent vomiting for several days, your primary veterinarian is the most cost-effective option for diagnosis and treatment, so if you can wait a day or two for an exam, that is your best option. In addition, your primary veterinarian has all your pet’s records, including previous labs, imaging, and medication histories. This saves money by avoiding unnecessary or duplicate procedures along with providing consistent care.
Dr. Findora has been caring for companion animals and poultry for 17 years, providing vaccines, wellness exams, preventatives, and more aimed at giving your pet a long and happy life.
Urgent Care Facility
Eye Injury – Minor wounds or injuries – Blood in urine or stool – Allergic reactions
Ticks or porcupine quills – Vomiting or diarrhea – Ingestion of a foreign object
Much like human medicine, urgent care in veterinary medicine is somewhere between your primary care veterinarian and an emergency room. Urgent care facilities generally provide same-day service and are best suited for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that require immediate attention, then refer you back to your primary provider for follow-up. Urgent care facilities are generally more expensive than a visit to your regular veterinarian, but less than a visit to the emergency room.
Dr. Findora has over five years’ experience as an ER veterinarian. When she opened Fox Run Animal Hospital 10 years ago, she made a commitment to provide urgent care services to our community and continues to maintain a schedule that allows for same-day, urgent care cases.
With our advanced imaging capabilities and an expansive laboratory, we can help your pet through a variety of urgent issues. This, coupled with Dr. Findora’s skill as a diagnostician and a well-trained and highly coordinated staff, provides your pet with an excellent chance of a good outcome when time is of the essence.
Emergency Center
Ingesting a toxin – Coughing with respiratory distress – Multiple seizures
Severe accident – Collapse or unconscious
Emergency care is the most expensive form of veterinary care and should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies such as broken bones, trauma, or a condition requiring 24-hour care. According to a recent survey from Care Credit, the average cost of an exam at a veterinarian is $52.002 while the average cost for an emergency room exam is around $114.003. Keep in mind that amount only covers the basic exam; any imaging, diagnostics, treatments, etc. will increase this amount exponentially. A bill at an ER can quickly balloon into thousands of dollars.
Most emergency centers are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week seeing patients on a walk-in basis. This often leads to long wait times. These facilities are geared toward emergency treatments, so if your pet needs routine care, they may not even carry the items your pet needs.
Conclusion
Fox Run Animal Hospital believes the best treatment combines good medicine with the appropriate resources at the most affordable price. With both primary and urgent care capabilities, Fox Run is there when you need it the most, offering a spectrum of care to keep your pet healthy. Our mission statement is: YOUR PET’S HEALTH IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.
3390 S. Lapeer Road ~ Metamora, MI 48455 ~ (810) 678-8738
References:
- Pet population continues to increase while pet spending declines. Preliminary results from 2024 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographic survey presented at 2024 AVMA Veterinary Economic and Business Forum. Malinda Larkin. October 10, 2024.
- Average Pet Wellness Check Study by State, Conducted by ASQ 360° on behalf of CareCredit, August 2023.
- How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost? Dr. Kathy Wiederkehr (Wentworth), V.M.D. January 10, 2025.