Emergency Medical Conditions

by Pawlicy Advisor
Dictionary
>
Veterinary Terms
>
Emergency Medical Conditions

What is an Emergency Medical Condition?

In pet care, an emergency medical condition refers to a critical injury or illness that could lead to death or cause serious harm to an animal if not treated right away.

Depending on the severity of the condition, some examples might include blunt force trauma, a broken bone, kidney failure, and anaphylactic shock due to allergic reaction. Most medical emergencies that require immediate care are sudden and unexpected in nature, as opposed to the gradual decline and ultimate failure of health seen in pets with chronic conditions.

How Emergency Medical Conditions Work

With respect to pet insurance, emergency medical conditions fall into one of two categories: accident-related and illness-related. Accident-only pet insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost of emergency service for injuries related to physical accidents, such as broken bones or burns. Accident-Illness plans will cover both accident-related injuries and unexpected illnesses, providing comprehensive coverage for surgeries, diagnostics, and internal medicine treatments.

When comparing pet insurance companies, it’s important that you always understand which costs are covered for emergency medical conditions, should one ever arise. . Unexpected vet costs can be fairly expensive, and, unfortunately, an estimated 1 in 3 pets will need an emergency vet each year. For these reasons, many owners opt for the peace of mind that comes with a comprehensive accident-illness policy.


Key Takeaways

  • Emergency medical conditions are severe illnesses or injuries
  • Pets with severe conditions require emergency vet service to prevent death or long-term damage.

Continue Reading

Emergency Services
In veterinary medicine, emergency services refer to medical treatments, diagnostic tests, and palliative care provided to patients (pet and other animals) in urgent, critical, or life-threatening medical situations.
Read More.
Emergency Vet
An emergency vet is a veterinary practitioner who provides care to pets in animal hospitals and emergency veterinary clinics.
Read More.
End-of-Life Care
End-of-life pet care, also known as pet hospice or palliative care, refers to treatments meant to make elderly and terminally ill pets more comfortable in their final days.
Read More.

See related articles

Ringworm is among the most common infectious skin diseases in cats. Find out more about the symptoms of ringworm in cats, how the disease is treated, and how you can prevent it.

8 minute read

Ringworm in Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Benadryl is a safe and effective drug for dogs, but be cautious. Check in with your vet first, especially if there are other health conditions present.

5 minute read

Benadryl for Dogs: Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects

Want to learn more about Lyme disease in dogs, understand the symptoms, and find out how to cut the costs? Surgery Technician Aliyah explains everything you need to know.

8 minute read

Lyme Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment & How to Cut The Costs

Learn the basic cost of a vet visit, how breeds can influence vet costs, what to expect, and how to save veterinary bills.

14 minute read

How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost? Here's Everything You Need To Know

Wondering if pet insurance is worth it for your dog or cat? We cover EVERYTHING pet parents should consider when making the decision to enroll in coverage.

15 minute read

Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Here's A Vet's Perspective

Wondering if pet insurance is worth it for your dog or cat? We cover EVERYTHING pet parents should consider when making the decision to enroll in coverage.

16 minute read

Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Here's A Vet's Perspective

A family with pets that are insured by Pawlicy Advisor
Pawlicy Advisor is the leading independent marketplace for finding the best coverage for your pet at the lowest rate.
Join 2,438,795+ insured dogs and cats across the US.
Get a Quote
Our pet insurance partners
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Logo
Pets Best Pet Insurance Logo
Embrace Pet Insurance Logo
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Logo
MetLife Pet Insurance Logo
Prudent Pet Insurance Logo