Daytime emergency call out charge

[Snow Falcon]

Is this standard practice now? My friend had to call the vet out to her pony on Monday as unwell/colicking. Not only was she charged the normal call out visit and examination fee, she was also charged for emergency daytime visit. Not heard of it before nor had to pay it myself (mine like to save their emergency callouts for evenings and weekends).

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

A friend was charged an emergency fee when she had to take her GSD bitch for pyo surgery. The operation was carried out mid-afternoon. Dog was taken to nearest vet branch, referred to main hospital (same practice), friend provided the transport and was shocked when she got the bill. Dog was meant to stay in hospital overnight but vet rang and asked for her to be collected about 11.30 pm because she was so unsettled and noisy.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Not here, but I can see why a day time emergency should be charged extra. The vet practice will have to postpone or rearrange the attending vet’s prebooked commitments.

I’ve never had a vet no show due to them being called out elsewhere, but I’ve certainly had another vet stand in for mine when they were out at a colic.

 

[nagblagger]

Never heard of it.
But (tempting fate now) I haven't needed emergency callout 'in hours' for a while.

 

[TheMule]

My vets keep someone on call for emergencies only. They may have 6 calls a day or zero, so it costs to be able to provide a rapid emergency service.
Edited to add- I tested the service today, out within 30mins for an arterial bleed. I was very glad!

 

[Fieldlife]

I had an emergency and rang for a same day visit (9.45am). Was told earliest could get a vet to me would be 4pm. I would expect to pay extra for a same day visit, if I wasnt willing to wait until next day.

(Later understood apparently had a colic, 2 fractured legs, a vet sick out of about 6 vets). I said I wanted to speak to a vet as I didnt think could wait until 4pm but wanted to get a view. Took over an hour to get a vet to call me back. I got a different practice out where I spoke to a vet within 5 minutes and triaged issue, who came by 1pm, senior vet and dealt with the issue.

 

[paddy555]

A normal call out fee for mine. (horses) They just find the nearest horse vet and send them. If we have an appointment but they have to go off to an emergency someone rings and we just have to wait. Not a problem.

 

[Rough and tumble]

I had a colic pony new
Years Eve afternoon called practice only 2 vets working that day but sent the nearest vet out refered for surgery straight away no emergency charge and routine app were
Pushed to another day

 

[sollimum]

Yes, as they have to re-arrange the vets to prioritise any emergencies.

 

[HorsesRule2009]

Our practice only charges a standard call out fee if within working hours

 

[MurphysMinder]

Last emergency call out I had in daytime hours was when old pony fell and was non weight bearing on a front leg. I think the office just juggled vets round and someone was with me within about 20 minutes, she then called for a nurse to bring x ray machine out. No extra charges and happily no lasting damage with pony. I can understand why it could be charged though as it would possibly mean a reorganising of the days appointment.

To add, I have had appointments delayed /rescheduled due to the vets having to go to an emergency, don't have a problem with that at all.

 

[Widgeon]

A normal call out fee for mine. (horses) They just find the nearest horse vet and send them. If we have an appointment but they have to go off to an emergency someone rings and we just have to wait. Not a problem.

Same here. Nearest vet gets sent in and everyone else pushed back a bit. I've had to wait in the past because the vet's been held up with an emergency, but....that's the nature of medical care. As others have said, it's not a problem.

 

[criso]

Same call out fee if it's within their working hours then double for after hours, weekends and bank holidays. They have 9 practice vets and look at who is nearby or has gap.