Valley pet owners, still facing gaps in local emergency care, have new urgent care option
Valley pet owners have a new urgent care option available. However, they continue to face gaps in local emergency care.
Local dog trainer Kat Todd is lucky to still have her terrier Abby after a coyote attack. She's been a dog trainer for more than 20 years in the valley.
"I was able to take [Abby] in after hours, but had that not been the case, she wouldn't have lived," said Todd. "There needs to be more available for people because we love our dogs."
Veterinary Urgent Care of the Desert is a new urgent care facility in Palm Desert at 36955 Cook St. The facility offers urgent care for non-life-threatening pet issues. The facility is waitlist only and will not take appointments. Dr. Jerry Bausman is a co-owner of the urgent care, which opened over a week ago.
"The best way to describe it is if you think about your own urgent care experiences, you may have had a for yourself, that's what we are," said Bausman. "We're about seeing the sick patients that aren't so sick that they're probably going to need to be hospitalized overnight but sick enough that they can't wait a couple of weeks."
Related: Veterinarian shortage impacting valley's only 24/7 emergency pet hospital
VUCD is still looking to hire vets like the valley's only 24-7 pet emergency hospital VCA Medical Center in Indio. It still does not have enough staff to stay open every night, all week long.
"When someone can't get into a vet office here in the desert, sometimes they're forced to actually drive out of town," Todd said.
The surgery department at VUCD can also help with services like joint surgeries, fracture repair, bladder surgeries, and wound management.
"We're going to help bridge the gap between the general practice and the emergency hospital," said Bausman.
Common problems VUCD can help with:
- Vomiting & diarrhea
- Coughing & sneezing
- Moderate to severe eye, ear & skin infections
- Ingestion of toxins
- Bites & wounds
- Limping
Despite the opening of VUCD, valley pet owners risk being turned away during emergencies when minutes matter most. The VCA Medical Center in Indio closes on certain nights when it doesn't have an overnight vet. The center has been posting its temporary closures on its Facebook page.
When the hospital is closed, it refers patients to other emergency care options outside the valley, like VCA California Veterinary Specialists in Murrieta and Ontario.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, here are things pet owners can do to deal with the current veterinarian crisis:
- Establish a relationship with a vet. Establishing a relationship with a veterinary practice means your pet will have a team to help that is familiar with his or her medical history if something happens. Just like your own health, don't wait until something goes wrong to visit your vet.
- Book appointments in advance when possible. The best appointments to book early include annual and semi-annual wellness check-ups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and elective surgeries. If you're unsure which appointments to schedule, ask your vet.
- Have a financial plan. Veterinary care can often be expensive (especially emergency care), just like human health care. Owners should consider the total cost of caring for a pet and create an emergency fund to use should something happen to your pet. Purchasing pet insurance is another tool that can help lighten the financial load.
- Know where to go for backup care. It's important to know where you can take your pet in case of an emergency. Know where several veterinary clinics are in your area just in case your hospital of choice is unable to see you. You can also ask if your veterinary hospital offers tele-triage or other virtual care options.
- Be patient. Remember that caring for pets is not just a career but usually a passion for veterinarian professionals. They are working to ensure pets receive world-class care and that clients receive the experience they deserve and expect, even with the increased patient load.
Telehealth resources for pet owners:
- Vetster
- Vetster connects pet owners to thousands of licensed veterinarians ready to provide online vet services through video chat appointments 24/7.
- Cost: varies by practice
- Pawp
- Pawp is a 24/7 online vet that provides continuous virtual care that's personalized for your pet's long-term health goals and outcomes.
- Cost: $99 a year, optional $14 per month for an emergency fund
- Chewy
- On-demand pet care from a licensed expert with a Chewy account. Virtual consults supplement clinic visits; Chewy does not prescribe or diagnose. You are advised by a licensed veterinary team and leave with a personalized consult report.
- Cost: If you don't want to sign up for Chewy's Autoship, you can pay $15 for on-demand chats or $20 for a scheduled video call.
- Airvet
- Airvet aims to connect you with an expert immediately, either for emergencies or to get a question answered.
- Cost: $30 a month or $49 for one video chat.
- MyVCA
- 24/7 Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple's App Store and Google Play.
According to a spokesperson from the VCA, the company is working to get more people into the field and retain them:
- How is the VCA helping people already in the field?
- The VCA has invested in benefits and expanded a number of services for its associates. One benefit rolled out nationwide last year is free access to mental health support: 12 employer-paid sessions with mental health professionals.
- Mentorship programs are being offered to help newer doctors gain confidence and valuable skills. There's an ER-specific program where a newer doctor is partnered with an experienced practitioner for six months.
- How is the VCA helping people entering the field?
- Earlier this year, VCA increased the salary for interns to make continuing education for veterinary specialists (like those who chose to work in ER).
