Managing Common Emergencies on a Budget

Course overview

Emergencies are inevitable in veterinary practice, and they often create immense financial stress for pet owners. A 2025 survey found that 65% of pet owners could not pay more than $1,000 for life-saving treatment. Unfortunately, standard estimates for treatment of common emergencies-such as pyometra, feline urethral obstruction, parvovirus, and foreign bodies-often exceed this amount, even in a general practice setting. When the difference between a life-saving procedure and euthanasia comes down to the client's bank account, veterinarians must get creative. Spectrum of care practice offers us a solution. Instead of feeling like we must either approach a case "by the book" or do nothing, we can partner with the client to offer alternative plans that are more budget-friendly and meet the individual client's goals. But these alternative plans may make us uncomfortable at times. You may find yourself asking, 'Does letting the sun set on a pyo and waiting to do surgery the next day open me to increased liability?' In short, the answer is no-as long as you educate clients on the available options and obtain informed consent with the plan that is chosen. As available literature supporting spectrum of care options grows, veterinarians can increase their confidence in approaching cases in an alternative way. This session will review a practical approach to common emergencies including GI obstruction, blocked cats, pyometra, and parvovirus. We will review the current evidence for a spectrum of care approach for each of these conditions and the key components of obtaining informed consent when pursuing a non-traditional option. You'll leave this session with a practical game plan you can use to help more pets in your practice, even when finances are tight.