It is a vulnerable feeling when handing your pet over to a vet and trusting them to care for your family member while they are unwell.
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So, to help put your mind at ease, let's run through what happens after you have to say a transient goodbye to your pet as they are admitted to hospital.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Once your pet has been admitted to hospital, they are taken to their designated bed, tailored to suit each patient.
These beds will either be in the ICU ward for constant monitoring and supervision, or in an allocated dog or cat ward.
Each cage has bedding and a water dish (if allowed oral fluids).
Cats will usually have a condo with a hiding box and shelf and a separate compartment for their litter tray.
Leaving your pet in a clinic is an uneasy feeling that we will all have to deal with at some point during pet ownership, but rest assured, they will be receiving the best care and are only a phone call away.
Wards are air conditioned or heated for year-round comfort, and some clinics will have soft music playing and pheromone appeasing diffusers.
Once settled in their bed, your pet will be greeted by a friendly nurse.
The vet in charge of your fur baby will liaise with the nurse about what treatments and tests your pet needs.
If your pet is receiving intravenous fluids, they will have a small neat patch of fur clipped on their front leg.
The process is extremely sterile, quick and non-painful.
Any pain relief or medications will be administered, and their vital signs constantly monitored, including heart rate, respiration rate and temperature.
Dogs will be taken for regular yarded walks (if permitted) to stretch their legs and toilet.
Cats will have their litter trays emptied each time they are soiled.
PROCESS
Shift changes are bound to occur, and this will explain why when you call the clinic, a new vet or nurse will be talking to you about your pet's care.
Critical cases will be monitored overnight, or some clinics will have video surveillance for a 24/7 live stream.
You are always welcome to call anytime and enjoy a visiting room to check in on and spend time with your pet.
We understand you will be missing them and wanting updates.
At times clinics will be busy with incoming emergencies and the allocated veterinarian may not be available, in which case a nurse can update you and have the vet call you back.
If there are any concerns or worries, someone will contact you.
Leaving your pet in a clinic is an uneasy feeling that we will all have to deal with at some point during pet ownership, but rest assured, they will be receiving the best care and are only a phone call away.
