Why do ER vets separate me from my pet and return their blanket?

It sounds like to me from your post that you would feel more comfortable having Bella at the ER vet where she will be monitored 24/7, and that's perfectly fine! She's your baby, and you need to do what makes you feel most comfortable and what you feel is best for her. The vet wouldn't allow her to stay over the weekend if they didn't feel it would be safe for her; if they felt she needed the added monitoring, they would recommend transferring her to the ER clinic. It's good that her liver and kidney values are ok, and that she is eating. That being said, if you aren't comfortable with it, then it's fine to take her to the ER vet. You may sleep better at night knowing there is someone present 24/7 for her. I can't tell you what to do, but if your vet says it's safe to keep her at their office, it should be safe. You need to do what makes you happiest, however, and if you feel that's at the ER, then it's fine taking her there. I hope this helps!

I’m so sorry to hear about Scruff :( unfortunately, she sounds serious enough that there is nothing I would recommend for doing at home. Keep her warm and encourage drinking. Consider carecredit.com - it’s a line of credit you can apply for instantly online and can be used for human or animal healthcare. It’s generally low or no interest for 3-6 months and is accepted at many vet hospitals. If you are approved, go to the nearest 24 hour ER clinic. Be warned that dependinf on her underlying condition and status on arrival, the doctor may recommend intensive measures (hospitalizing IV, etc.) or humane euthanasia. Unfortunately, sometimes there is no realistic “in-between” option. I’m so sorry again and hope for peace no matter the outcome.

Hi and thank you for you question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I know it can be stressful to have your sweetie pie in the ICU and emergency care. My best advice is to be persistent with questions you have and make sure they get answered. ER and ICU vets are usually busy and preoccupied with their patients, but be sure to ask if you don't understand something explained or ask to have it explained again. I would want to understand why they think HGE occurred in Sancho, what they are currently doing and why, and what outlook does this have given Sancho's response to treatment? What are possible outcomes? For example they did a blood transfusion, I, as an owner would want to know why and what are the chances of this treatment being successful? What occurs if the transfusion is not successful? I hope this helps put your mind in the right direction. Thanks again for posting!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'd be careful getting updates from the receptionist. They tend to not have any medical background or even the full story. I would call to ask to speak with the Vet who saw your dog or the practice owner or manager. Get the true story. Maybe they can tell you which shelter and if it wasn't expensive you can pay your bill. I doubt they had you sign paper work under false pretenses. We as vets don't want animals to suffer or die with out treatment. That is why we offer to take over their care at our own expense. There is a lot of emotional and compassion fatigue with in our profession and I can be 100% sure they did this to benefit your pet and not to purposely hurt or trick you. Good luck!

Poor guy. I hope he gets well and is able to come home soon. Pet visits are absolutely welcomed and encouraged. Cats aren't as attached as dogs, but they do enjoy visits from their owners and this can boost morale and also the health of the pet has been shown to increase when there is an emotional tie to a present owner. I would encourage you to visit your pet Memi everyday he is there, twice daily if possible, and I hope he gets well soon!

I'm sorry to hear that Corndog has not been feeling well. Thank you for the thorough assessment and good work assessing his hydration! While a sudden change in diet may have caused gastroenteritis (inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract), I would expect to also see diarrhea in addition to his profuse vomiting. That does not necessarily rule out a diet change as an underlying cause, but it forces us to also consider other alternatives, such as a foreign body intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, cholangiohepatitis (inflammation in the liver and gall bladder), viruses, kidney disease, among others. To err on the side of caution, I do recommend taking Corndog to an emergency vet now rather than waiting another 7 hours. If he does have an intestinal obstruction causing his vomiting and dehydration, these are best managed when surgery is performed as soon as possible rather than waiting and risking the development of intestinal perforations and/or sepsis. The vet will be able to perform any necessary diagnostic testing (x-rays, blood tests) so that he can be treated appropriately (likely with IV fluids and medications). I hope that all goes well and that Corndog is feeling better soon!

With such severe clinical signs and a low blood cont, hospital treatment is the only option. Clinics are used to treating infectious disease cases and all kennels/cages shoul be secre and safe with no leaks between patients and barrier nursing (changing gloves/washing and disinfecting all equipment) between patients to protect each of them from spreading diseases further. He should remain on an iv until he is voluntarily taking enough food/liquids to maintain his own hydration