Emergency Vet Visit Costs and Financing Options

Veterinary emergencies can be nerve-wracking. When your beloved pet is sick or injured, the last thing you want to do is worry about how you're going to pay for it all. To help you prepare for accidents and illnesses, this guide covers emergency vet visit costs and veterinary financing options to help you decide the best pet emergency plan for your household.

How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost?

The cost of an emergency vet visit can vary greatly based on the injury, condition, what type of pet insurance you have (if any) and whether your pet has a chronic condition that may require multiple emergency vet visits over a pet's lifetime.¹ And if your dog or cat needs surgery, that can end up adding thousands of dollars to your vet bill — anywhere from $1,600 for a simple injury to upwards of $10,000 for something more complex.¹

While the initial cost of an emergency veterinary visit is approximately $150 to $250, this only includes the initial triage of your pet and a complete physical examination by a veterinarian. However, additional diagnostic tests, medications, treatments, hospitalization or surgery will incur additional costs that can add up quickly. If you are concerned about the cost, be sure to ask your veterinary team for a cost estimate prior to initiating care.

How Much Does an Emergency Vet Visit Cost With Pet Insurance?

This depends on your pet insurance plan. Some pet insurance companies will cover as much as 90% of the cost of an emergency veterinary visit, as long as the visit is not associated with a pre-existing condition. However, you will often be required to pay for the visit out-of-pocket and the insurance company will reimburse you at a later date, so you will still need to have funds on hand to pay for your pet's care.

Pets Best pet insurance offers low-cost Accident Only Coverage for pet owners on a budget.

How Can I Pay for an Emergency Vet Visit?

There are several options to consider when paying for your pet's emergency vet visit. It is always best to consider your financial options in advance, before your pet needs emergency care, so you will not need to worry about coming up with the funds during a crisis. Consider these options to pay for your pet's care:

• Use a credit card to have extra flexibility and time to pay.
• Start a savings account for your pet and contribute to it regularly.
• Use pet insurance to cover the cost of many common accidents and illnesses.
• Sell items you no longer need and use the funds to cover the cost of your bill.
• Ask friends or family for a personal loan to help you and your pet.
• Use crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe to share your pet's story and raise money for care.
• Reach out to local shelters and rescues to ask for help.
• Ask your veterinarian about your options for payment plans or other support.

Remember, having a pet is a privilege and comes with a great deal of responsibility. Make sure you're ready to provide care for your pet in the event of an accident or illness by planning for emergency veterinary fees in advance.

CareCredit Financing for Emergency Vet Visits

You can use your CareCredit credit card at locations in the CareCredit network to finance a wide range of pet-related expenses, including emergency vet visits due to an accident or illness.* To find a veterinary care provider near you who accepts the CareCredit credit card, use our Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App.

Author Bio

Dr. Elizabeth Racine is a small animal general practice veterinarian and freelance writer. She covers both human and veterinary medicine with a special interest in nutrition, internal medicine, and veterinary behavior.