According to data from the American Pet Products Association, Americans have spent a total of $37 billion on their pet’s veterinary care in 2023. Another survey made by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found that the average annual vet care costs for both routine and preventive medical care are nearly $410 for a dog and $300 for a cat. And as a pet is a part of your family, you can’t neglect their treatment needs just because you’re short in cash.

But each case is unique. While some health problems require immediate surgery or intervention, others may be solved at home by following a few simple prescriptions and recommendations. Let’s take a look at the most common health problems and find out which of them require you to act quickly.

Bonus: Those who can’t afford their pet’s care at the moment will be offered several ways to pay for emergency vet bills, including options that require no credit check and can be obtained fast.

 

The Most Common Pet Diseases and Emergencies

 

Most pet owners know that prevention is the best cure. However, health issues are often unpredictable, and we don’t have much control over them. Below are the most common pet illnesses, along with emergencies that require immediate attention.

 

Kennel Cough

 

Kennel cough is infectious bronchitis in dogs. If you hear your pet coughing as if something has lodged in its through, it’s probably the illness you’re dealing with.

The good news is that it’s not life-threatening. If the infection doesn’t spread to the chest, there’s no additional treatment required. Just keep your pet in a warm environment and let it have restricted exercise. If the chest was affected, your veterinarian may prescribe your dog antibiotic.

 

Internal and External Parasites

 

Internal parasites are heartworms and intestinal worms, while fleas, ticks, and mites refer to external ones. Whether internal or external, they can all cause various diseases and health problems, sometimes up to death. Therefore, your dog should always be protected inside and out.

If your dog already has parasites, sometimes medication is enough. However, if your pet’s skin surface looks suspicious or, for example, remains irritated or infected after a tick bite, you’d better visit a vet clinic.

 

Ear Infections

 

Dogs with large pendulous ears are more likely to have ear infections, but this problem can also affect breeds with other ear shapes. If the infection recurs, it usually indicates an allergy to some ingredients in your pet’s food. The most common allergens are corn, soy, and wheat.

If you see your dog always scratching its ears, try to clean and dry them first. Also, you’d better make an appointment with your veterinarian to determine the type of infection and get a treatment plan.

 

Dental Diseases

 

Dental diseases are often more dangerous than they seem. Dogs’ mouths are an ideal environment for various bacteria. If you don’t maintain your pet’s oral health, it may not only result in loss of teeth and inflammation but also come with the further spread of infection. Pet’s mouth is a pathway into its body, so various bacteria can easily enter its bloodstream and cause more serious consequences.

If your dog has bad breath, drooling, discolored gums, or a bad appetite, make an appointment with your veterinarian. To prevent dental diseases, don’t neglect teeth cleaning at least twice a year and give your dog dental chews and treats.

 

Itchy Skin and Skin Infections

 

If your dog is scratching more than usual, it’s a reason to worry. Most often, itchy skin is the result of a food allergy, so you can try to change your dog’s diet first. Choose food with the lowest allergen content and look for grain-free options.

However, if the situation doesn’t change much after changing the diet, it may indicate that your dog has a skin infection. In this case, you should visit a vet clinic for a proper medical examination and treatment plan. Otherwise, it can lead to problems such as Hot Spots, which are very painful for your furry friend.

 

Vomiting and Diarrhea

 

If your dog has a digestive upset, don’t rush to worry. Sometimes it happens on its own and resolves itself without any outside intervention. However, if the problem doesn’t disappear for more than two days, or if your pet is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea too often, this may be the result of a serious intestinal disorder. In this case, you need to contact your veterinarian immediately.

 

Blocked Anal Glands

 

Blocked anal glands are often the result of loose feces or too narrow dog gland ducts. You can ask your veterinarian to show you how to empty them manually and do it when needed at home. However, if the blockages are chronic, drainage, flushing, and antibiotic treatment may be required.

 

Poisoning

 

If your dog has eaten poison, visit a veterinarian immediately. The point is that many foods and things that are completely harmless to a human can be toxic to dogs. The most common poisonings include chocolate, grapes, raisins, lilies, human medicines, or poison for rats and other pests. If your dog has ingested any of the above, any delay can turn into a life-threatening situation for your pet.

 

Choking and Difficulty Breathing

 

If your pet can’t breathe, don’t put off a visit to the vet until better times. This is the moment when you must act quickly. The best thing you can do is to learn animal CPR and get the dog to the clinic, even if your actions helped it start breathing again. Also, don’t try to clean the airway on your own, as you can make the situation worse.

 

Blood from Extremities

 

If the dog is healthy, there should be no blood in its sputum, vomit, excrement, nose, ears, eyes, or mouth. Therefore, blood should be taken seriously. First of all, you need to find out why your pet is bleeding. Maybe it was injured while out of your sight and needs emergency help. Seek emergency pet care immediately to help your four-legged friend recover.

 

Straining to Urinate

 

The most common problems with urination include pain, difficulty urinating, trying to urinate too often, or no urine output. If any of these symptoms occur, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Some blockages may be life-threatening, so you shouldn’t postpone an appointment.

 

Lameness and Broken Bones

 

If your pet has visible joint or bone misalignment or experiences difficulty walking (for example, limping or not stepping on his paw), don’t let the situation take its course. It’s not a good idea to let the animal heal on its own. When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in a nonunion or delayed union, meaning that the bone remains broken or takes much longer to heal. Additionally, this can bring a lot of pain to the animal.

 

Drink Refusal

 

This symptom seems harmless, but it can be the result of serious illnesses or emergency situations. If your pet has access to clean water but refuses to drink for 24 hours or more, this is a reason to contact the veterinarian.

 

Ways to Pay Vet Bills for Caring Pet Parents

 

If you struggle to cover a costly vet bill, below are some options that can help you out.

 

Consider Veterinary Financing for Bad Credit

 

Those who need financial assistance for pet medical care but have less-than-ideal credit can consider innovative alternatives to traditional forms of borrowing. Veterinary financing with no credit check works similarly to regular personal loans but are available to people with any credit. Additionally, they are much faster because of the lack of hard credit checks.

There are several options available for people who need help with vet bills with bad credit:

• Installment loans. An installment loan allows you to get a lump sum deposit, usually up to $5,000, and repay it in equal monthly payments within up to 24 months;
• Payday loans. A payday loan is a short-term solution for an unexpected vet bill. It can be funded within several hours and must be repaid by your next paycheck in one lump sum. Payday lenders provide small amounts of up to $1,000;
• Secured loans. If you’re looking for a loan with a lower interest rate, you can also consider secured loan options. They will allow you to get the needed amount against the cost of your valuable property. However, they come with a risk of losing your property.

 

Apply for Veterinary Loans

 

Pet owners who are looking for help with vet bills can access vet loans (or pet loans), which are technically just regular personal loans. A personal loan allows you to cover any personal needs, including veterinary care assistance. It has flexible repayment terms and competitive interest rates. You can typically get up to $100,000 for up to 60 months, depending on your income. To qualify, you have to meet minimum credit score requirements.

 

Use 0% APR Credit Cards

 

A 0% APR credit card is a line of credit that has a promotional period, within which interest is not applied to the amount you use. Such a period can be anywhere from 6 to 18 months. You just need to make some set minimum monthly payments to keep your promotional rate. You can use this card to pay for pet care or pet food and save a lot of money in interest. After the promotional period ends, an interest rate will start accruing on any unpaid balance.

 

Turn to Care Credit for Pets

 

Care Credit is a popular financing option that is designed for health care costs that are not covered by insurance. This credit card can be used for both individual’s and pet’s medical costs. Thus, you can use it for emergency veterinary care, emergency medical treatment, or pet surgery financing.

 

Buy Pet Insurance

 

Pet insurance is a great option that will not allow emergency medical expenses to rip you off. When you buy pet insurance, you can at least reduce your out-of-pocket veterinary costs. Sometimes, your insurance policy can even cover the whole cost of treatment, helping you save significantly. The monthly cost of a pet’s health insurance usually ranges from $9 for cats to $17 for dogs.

 

Ask Your Vet Clinic About a Payment Plan

 

Many veterinary clinics offer in-store payment plans that allow you to split your pet treatment cost into several payments. Such plans often come with lower interest rates and fees. Sometimes they can even be interest-free. Contact your clinic before vet visits and ask about available options, if any.

 

Bottom Line

 

We know how awful the feeling is when you can’t cover your pet’s vet bills. However, some illnesses require your immediate attention and can’t be prevented. But don’t worry! Pet parents who experience financial difficulties can turn to some options that will help them pay for emergency veterinary bills. Consider the options offered above and choose the one that better fits your situation.