Emergency vet – how to find one at night and at the weekend
Go now – do not wait until tomorrow
- Difficulty breathing, blue or very pale gums, unconsciousness, seizure.
- Heavy bleeding, accident, fall from a great height, bite wounds – even if the animal seems normal afterwards.
- Dog with a bloated, hard belly that retches without bringing anything up (suspected twisted stomach).
- Tomcat that keeps trying to urinate without success.
- Suspected poisoning: poison bait, rat poison, chocolate, medicines, antifreeze.
- Rabbit or guinea pig that has stopped eating and no longer passes droppings.
- A birth that is not progressing: strong contractions but no young.
What to do now
- Call your own practice – even at night. The answering machine message almost always names the practice or clinic currently on emergency duty.
- No practice of your own or no message? Search for “Tierärztlicher Notdienst” plus the name of your town or district, or call the nearest veterinary clinic (Tierklinik).
- Always call first, then set off: not every veterinary clinic is staffed around the clock, and the practice can prepare.
- On the phone, say briefly: species, age, what happened, since when – and how long the drive will take you.
- For the drive: cats and small animals in a closed carrier or cardboard box; carry a large dog on a blanket. Keep the animal warm and move it as little as possible.
- Take with you: vaccination record, the names of any medicines, and in case of suspected poisoning the packaging or a photo of it.
Please do not
- No painkillers from your medicine cabinet. Ibuprofen, paracetamol and diclofenac are poisonous to dogs and cats.
- If you suspect poisoning, do not induce vomiting, no salt water, no milk – this often causes additional harm.
- Give nothing to eat if an anaesthetic might be needed (accident, swallowed object, bloated belly).
- Do not touch an animal in pain unprotected: even your own dog or cat may bite then.
Who helps
Your own veterinary practice (message on the answering machine), the nearest veterinary clinic or the veterinary emergency service of your region – many towns, districts and local newspapers publish the duty roster. We are not a veterinary practice. If it is about a found or ownerless animal in distress, report the emergency to us with your location.
Report an emergency Animal rescue near you
Frequent questions
What does the emergency service cost?
More than a regular appointment. The German fee schedule for vets (GOT) prescribes an emergency fee of 50 euros plus VAT and at least double the normal rate for the services. Emergency hours are nights from 6 pm to 8 am, the weekend from Friday 6 pm to Monday 8 am, and public holidays – but not a regular surgery held during those hours. Ask on the phone roughly what to expect.
I cannot pay the bill straight away.
Say so on the phone before you set off. Many practices find a solution, such as a down payment or instalments – but you are not entitled to one. Waiting because of the money is the worst choice in an emergency.
Does this also apply to a found animal or a wild animal?
A found pet is a found animal (Fundtier): say so at the practice straight away; the municipality where it was found is responsible. Many practices give wild animals first aid free of charge; they are not obliged to, so ask beforehand.
Related
- Found poison bait – what to do?
- Cat hit by a car – what to do?
- Local animal rescue: who is responsible
This page gives general advice. It replaces neither a vet nor legal advice.
More guides
- Wild animal foundFound a wild animal – who helps?
- Hedgehog foundFound a hedgehog – what to do?
- Bird foundFound a young or injured bird – what to do?
- Dog foundFound a stray dog – what to do?
- Cat turned upA cat has turned up or been found – what to do?
- Pet run awayDog or cat has run away – what to do?
- Collision with wildlifeCollision with wildlife: deer or wild boar hit – what to do?
- Dog in a hot carDog in a hot car – what to do?
- Report animal crueltyReporting animal cruelty or neglect – how does it work?
- Poison bait foundFound poison bait – and what if the dog has already eaten some?
- Injured pigeonFound an injured pigeon – what to do?
- Fawn foundFound a fawn or young wild animal – what to do?
- Squirrel foundFound a squirrel – what to do?
- Bat foundFound a bat – what to do?
- Young hare foundFound a young hare or wild rabbit – what to do?
- Injured swan or duckFound an injured swan, duck or goose – what to do?
- Cat hit by a carCat hit by a car or found at the roadside – what to do?
- Abandoned animal foundFound an abandoned animal – what to do?
Spreading the word helps
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