Happy Friday! It’s time for weekend fun and a time for pet owners to be prepared. Weekends are busy for emergency veterinary clinics and there are occasions when hospitals need to close because they reach capacity.
We want clients to know that Partner is committed to staying open and helping as many pets as we can. To do this, we follow our Triage Process, treating the most severe cases first followed by more stable patients.
What does this mean for you?
Sometimes it means there will be a wait while we care for the sickest patients first. In our previous post about “Pet Emergencies—Are You Ready?” we discuss how to determine what’s an emergency and what you need to do before an emergency strikes. These steps will help when things take a turn for the worse.
And, sometimes, it means that we do need to close our doors until we can catch up. While our goal is not to do this, it’s sometimes inevitable based on the number of cases that come through our doors.
How can you know what to expect?
The best thing is to call before you come in. Our Client Service Coordinator will take your call and help determine where your pet falls on the triage chart. If your pet needs to be seen but is not at Level 1—Resuscitation, Level 2—Emergent, or Level 3—Urgent, we may ask you to wait in the comfort of your own home and come in at a scheduled time.
So, what does it mean if we say we’re only seeing Levels 1 and 2 at this time?
It means that pets who have conditions that are threats to life or limb or conditions that are a potential threat to life, limb, or function will be seen.
If you’re unsure of where to go when your pet is sick, check out our post “When Your Pet Needs Care” to understand when to see your primary veterinarian versus urgent care or emergency care.
What do we need from you?
Patience. We know waiting can be frustrating, especially when your pet isn’t feeling well. But please know that our team is here to help, and we will do our best to see every pet in need.
To learn more about Partner’s Triage Process, listen to our Did You Know podcast—Episode 6: Partner’s Triage Process with Dr. Rachael Boyd—where she explains in detail how the triage process works and what you as a pet owner can expect.
Should you find yourself in a veterinary emergency, we can help!
Call our Frederick location at 301.200.8185
Call our Richmond location at 804.206.9122