Things to Know

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Is the emergency vet more expensive than the regular vet?

If you’ve ever had to take a pet to the emergency vet’s office, the bill was likely a lot higher than any you’ve paid at your regular vet’s office. Is the emergency vet actually more expensive than visiting a regular vet? 

Yes. An emergency vet is more expensive than the regular vet because of specialized equipment and care, as well as its 24-hour availability. 

Continue reading for more information on why an emergency veterinarian is more expensive than a regular vet, as well as tips to prepare in case you need to visit one. 

Why is the emergency vet so expensive? 

There are a few reasons emergency vets are more expensive than visiting the regular vet. To start, many ER vets operate 24 hours a day. That means more shifts and more employees to account for, all of whom efficiently and compassionately take care of stressed, injured, and dying animals daily. 

In addition, emergency veterinarian offices must maintain all sorts of expensive diagnostic 

equipment and medication that your regular vet likely doesn’t have on hand. The ER vet has to be prepared for any situation at any time. Your regular vet is better equipped for day-to-day visits and will likely refer you to a larger animal hospital (like a teaching vet hospital) for any specialized care.

When my Pom Fitz developed weakness in his hindquarters, facial paralysis and excessive drooling, a visit to my local vet was only the first step. He spent a day with them and came home with a referral to a specialist/emergency vet facility near me. Fitz spent nearly a week there, some of that time in a special oxygen chamber under 24 hour care. My regular vet could not have provided the equipment, testing or staffing required to keep my boy alive while we searched for an answer.

Also keep in mind that more often than not, emergency situations require significant resources. If your dog is hit by a car, for instance, they may need emergency surgery, several days of observation, and the accompanying medication. If your dog is repeatedly vomiting, many tests may need to be performed to figure out the best treatment plan.

Is the vet taking advantage of emergencies? 

Just like when people experience emergencies, charges at the emergency vet can add up quickly. The sticker shock of the emergency vet, when compared to regular vet visits, can be jaw-dropping.

The enormous gap between routine care and emergency costs doesn’t indicate price gouging. Rather, it’s a reflection of that specialized, time-sensitive treatment. Combine that with our own comparison to the kinds of vet bills we’re more accustomed to seeing — immunizations, wellness visits, routine lab work, etc. — and the ER bills appear to be significantly higher. Instead of spreading the expense over time you’re suddenly faced with a massive bill.

How to prepare for an emergency vet visit

Taking a few minutes to prepare in case of an emergency with your pet will save you precious time as well as money if the situation should arise. 

While the list isn’t exhaustive, take a look at this site to familiarize yourself with what may constitute an emergency with your pet. If in doubt, call the vet.

Also, make decisions in advance of an emergency how much care you can afford and are willing to give to each of your pets. Establishing limits ahead of time – when emotions aren’t running high – provides a good foundation for care decisions. I keep a log of these decisions in a circa planner as a quick reference, knowing I might decide in the moment to go above and beyond but grateful for a logical starting point. 

Locate your nearest emergency vet 

Talk with your regular veterinarian about the local emergency vet hospitals to determine which may be the best for you. Map out your route ahead of time. 

Don’t forget to look up nearby emergency vets if you’re traveling with your pet! Save yourself the stress of searching for an emergency vet in an unfamiliar area while keeping a sick or injured pet comfortable.

Save their number in your phone 

You won’t want to waste time Googling the ER vet’s phone number when you need them most. Call before arriving to make certain they have room to treat your pet.  Like a human emergency room, the emergency vet has to prioritize the sickest or most severely injured patients and may not be able to treat your pet quickly. 

Invest in pet insurance 

Like health insurance for yourself, pet insurance can provide peace of mind for a monthly fee. Generally, pet insurance works similarly to human health insurance: there’s a variety of policies and companies to choose from, with reimbursements available after a pet owner meets their deductible. Take a look at this site to determine if pet insurance is a good choice for you and how to choose between providers.

It’s recommended you buy pet insurance when your pet is young. Currently, no pet insurance company will cover a pre-existing condition, and young dogs are more likely to require emergency care due to accidents including broken bones or poisoning/blockages from eating things they shouldn’t.

Establish an emergency fund 

According to this report from 2018, only 39% of Americans have the money to cover a $1,000 emergency. Earmarking money specifically for your pet can relieve some burdens during a stressful time. Even if your pet is insured, an emergency fund can help bridge the gap between paying for the vet’s services and the insurance reimbursement. If you can, save enough to cover twice the deductible of your pet’s coverage.

Know your credit options 

A line of credit or a loan may be the best way for you to pay for a pet’s emergency bills. One financing option is CareCredit, a credit card that many vet offices accept. If you’re eligible, you may want to consider taking out the line of credit before you need it.

Another option is Scratchpay, which provides a payment plan with a little more flexibility than a traditional credit card. Check with your vet to see if they accept Scratchpay.

If you have a freeze on your credit with any of the big 3 agencies (Experian, Equifax or TransUnion) make sure you have the freeze temporarily lifted on all sites before applying for CareCredit or Scratchpay.

Having pets means that a run to the emergency vet is always a possibility. With some considered planning and research ahead of time, you can position yourself to make the best, most-informed choices for your pet in case of an emergency. 

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Finding and Using an Air Nanny

You’ve done the research, filled out the applications, and paid your deposit — finally, you’ve found the perfect puppy! The only issue: her breeder is a couple of states away. You could fly yourself to bring your puppy home, or you can hire an air nanny.

What is an air nanny?

An air nanny is an experienced person who escorts your new puppy to the airport and onto their flight. An air nanny then greets you at your destination and helps acclimate you to the newest member of your family.

An air nanny can only be used to transport a trained service dog or small dogs, cats, and small puppies in a carry-on kennel, as these are the only animals allowed in the flight cabin. Each airline has their own rules around the size maximum and age minimum of the traveling pet. Generally, the size limit is 15-20 pounds unless the dog is a service animal.

Why should I use an air nanny? 

Flying is stressful! By using the services of an air nanny, your dog will have a qualified person with them the entire time they are in airports and on a flight. 

An air nanny:

  • Takes your dog for potty breaks in the airport
  • Feeds and waters your puppy
  • Keeps track of all documentation, including the required health certificate and vaccination records
  • Updates you along the way, including informing you of flight cancellations or any other concerns
  • Calms your new pet in the airport and on the flight
  • Monitors their health and well-being in the airport and during the flight
  • Answers questions you may have upon arrival
  • Saves you a trip to a new city and back home again

How do I pick the right air nanny for my new puppy? 

Before searching online for an air nanny, check with your breeder. They may have a recommendation of a company or individual they recommend. 

Your breeder may also have their own air nanny on staff. If this option is available, I recommend you choose it. Not only is an air nanny who is employed by your breeder knowledgeable about your new puppy’s breed, that person has also interacted with the puppy before flight day. They may have even been there when the puppy was born! They are best equipped to take excellent care of your puppy in transit.

CRK Pomeranians has an air nanny on call who is well-versed in the breeding program; has interacted with mom, dad and all of the puppies; and is knowledgeable about any questions you might have about your new puppy on the day it comes to you.

If your breeder does not have a recommendation for you, do your own research and carefully read reviews. Talk with the company about any questions or concerns you have. Update your breeder along the way — they could have questions for the air nanny company that you may not have considered.

What should I expect when hiring an air nanny? 

You should expect responsible, professional, and compassionate care from start to finish. An air nanny should be able to answer any questions you may have or be willing to put you in contact with the person who would know. An air nanny will ensure they are complying with all TSA and airline-specific regulations. 

They will ask you for a 3-5 day window of when you would like to bring your new puppy home. You may be required to purchase a carrier, bowls, and toys. They may also request a refundable deposit in case of unexpected delays (caused by the airline, not the nanny) or any other unforeseen circumstance. 

At CRK Pomeranians, we’ll ask for a copy of your photo ID to help our air nanny identify you and to help maintain the air nanny’s safety. We’ll provide the same to you!

When hiring an air nanny, you are responsible for the cost of their airfare and their fee. They will either charge an hourly rate or a set rate. In most cases, the air nanny will book the flight and then charge you for the flight plus their fees before the travel day. This is for a couple of reasons:

  • They can choose the best airline and route for your pet’s situation 
  • They may have points or frequent flyer miles to bring down the cost
  • They may be headed to a different destination after delivering your pet   

On travel day, be available for your air nanny in case of any last-minute questions or flight delays/cancellations. Be ready at the airport to greet your new family member! The air nanny will want to take a picture of you with your pet — as a nice memento for you and also as proof to the breeder that your puppy made it to you safe and sound.

The breeder may also ask for payment in full for the puppy one week in advance of the flight. This protects everyone involved in the transaction.

Using an air nanny gives your pet an in-flight advocate. They are there to take the best possible care of your dog and ensure her safety and well-being while eliminating travel stress for you. 

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Should I choose a breeder or rescue?

Breeder or rescue?

When deciding to commit to a new furry friend, it’s important to consider all your options in order to provide the best home possible – for both you and the dog! Inevitably, the conversation becomes breeder versus rescue, which can elicit a lot of strong responses. So how do breeders and rescues bridge this gap?

Breeders and rescues have the same end goal: placing the right dog with the right home.

Both breeders and rescues are concerned with the safety and well-being of dogs and stand in opposition to bad breeders (like backyard breeders and puppy mills) as well as irresponsible owners. With this in mind, let’s take an objective look at some of the ways in which breeders and rescues agree as well as the ways in which they differ. In addition, we’ll cover how to determine whether working with a breeder or rescuing a dog is right for you.

Breeders and rescues are aligned in a desire to put an end to bad breeding.

In this conversation, we’re going to assume that we are consistently talking about reputable – or preservation – breeders. 

Reputable breeders will vet prospective homes and include a clause in their contract that says if the owners can no longer take care of the dog, it must be returned to the breeder. A reputable breeder will provide lifelong support to the owner and placed dog, potentially including grooming lessons, free or reduced rate boarding, and acting as a resource for training and health issues. Rescues can also vet potential owners and stipulate that should it come to it, the dog will be returned to the rescue.

Rescues exist because of irresponsible breeding and irresponsible pet owners.

The argument isn’t “breeders versus rescues;” the argument centers around responsible breeding and ownership. If a person breeds any kind of dog with no realistic plan to find appropriate homes for the resulting puppies, the lineage of the litter doesn’t matter. If they can’t (or won’t) take good care of all their dogs, papers are irrelevant.

Breeders and rescues alike want dogs to live in safe, happy homes.

My daughter has two rescue dogs whose origins can only be speculated. They were each adopted as tiny puppies, so there was no telling what their temperaments, exercise requirements, or even eventual sizes would pan out to be. She and her husband could manage (and do!) as large and energetic as they became, so they weren’t concerned about the genetic lottery that’s often part of rescue.

Not all families have that luxury. Some need to ensure their new family member will never be too big to pick up, or that they’ll be fairly lazy past the puppy stage. Someone else may have a very active lifestyle, so they need a companion that can happily keep up. In those cases, getting a dog from a reputable breeder may be the best option for them. By taking the guesswork out of how a dog will grow up, it keeps those dogs in their homes. 

Now let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both breeders and rescues.

In both cases, we’re going to assume best case scenarios in the ‘pro’ sections.

Breeders

  • Pros
    • They are dedicated to the health of the breed at large as well as their own dogs, testing for genetic disorders with each addition.
    • They screen potential pet parents and enter into a contract with them for the good of the dog.
    • New owners know what to expect as their puppy gets older in terms of general size, temperament, physical activity, and longevity. 
    • New owners can rely on their breeder as a resource – breeders can direct owners to the educational materials and training classes they need to succeed as pet parents.
    • The breeder knows the parents of their litters and raised the puppies from the time they were born, familiarizing themselves with each puppy’s personality.
    • Breeders provide life-long support for owners and puppies/dogs.
    • Breeders are focused on an enrichment program with litters that helps them grow up into dogs that stay in homes.
    • Breeders may have adolescent or adult dogs available.
  • Cons:
    • It isn’t always easy to spot a bad breeder. A professional website and high puppy fee doesn’t indicate good genetics.
    • They are adding to the overall population of dogs.
    • There may be a waitlist for a new puppy.
    • They can be expensive – a puppy from a breeder can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. 
    • They can perpetuate breed-specific genetic problems. While good breeders will do everything they can to minimize genetic issues in their bloodlines, the risk still exists.

Rescues

  • Pros:
    • Adoption fees can be significantly less expensive than breeder’s fees.
    • Rescues screen prospective pet owners and enter into a contract with them for the good of the dog.
    • New owners save rescue dogs from shelters or temporary foster homes. 
    • Older dogs are usually readily available, which can be the best option for some people.
    • There are almost always dogs of all ages in need of a home.
  • Cons:
    • From its genetics to its previous situation, the dog’s background is an unknown quantity. This could lead to life-changing surprises, such as a tiny puppy that turns into an 80 pound dog or an otherwise sweet adult who will fear-bite men, for instance.
    • Many rescues are overwhelmed, juggling new animals, foster homes, volunteers, and adoption applications. They may not have the manpower to spend time coaching new pet parents.
    • While there are dogs of all ages available almost all of the time, puppies are usually the first to be adopted.

Bottom line: research, research, research!

Before bringing a new dog into your home, make an honest evaluation of your lifestyle. Can you devote time and energy to potty training a puppy or would you do better rescuing an older, housebroken dog? Are you specifically looking for a jogging partner or are you just happy to have a wagging tail to come home to? Carefully evaluate what your expectations are from a canine family member.

With that clarity, you can more easily decide whether you’re better off working with a breeder or if you can rescue a dog in need. Research breeders or rescues you may want to work with and ask questions. They should be forthcoming and want to answer! They should also have plenty of questions for you, to determine if you’re a good fit. If you decide to work with a breeder, they will have no problem with you coming to their home to meet the parents of your prospective puppy. 

Together, breeders and rescues have the best interest of dogs in mind. Both a good breeder and a good rescue are more concerned with finding the right home rather than any home. It’s easy to take hard stances when it comes to breeders and rescues. In reality, there’s a lot more that unites breeders and rescuers than divides them.

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What is a guardian home for breeding dogs?

In some cases, families or individuals may want to partner with a breeder’s program while providing a loving home to a dog. One of the ways to do this is to become a guardian home.

What is a guardian home for breeding dogs?

At its most basic, a breeder places a high-quality puppy from their breeding program with another party (the guardian home) to love and raise. A puppy in a guardian home is a member of the guardian’s family in addition to contributing to the breeder’s program. It’s a partnership between the home and the breeder. 

Once the dog is old enough (dependent on their gender), and has passed breed-specific health tests, they are bred to a dog of the breeder’s choosing. During their breeding years, females may spend a few months each year at the breeder’s home until they are retired. Males may spend as little as a few days at a time with the breeder on an as-needed basis. 

This is a contractual agreement that, first and foremost, is meant to benefit the dog. Ethical breeders want all of their dogs to go to responsible, loving homes. This arrangement between a breeder and a guardian home guarantees a dog spends the vast majority of its life with its forever family, the guardian home.

How do guardian homes benefit the breeder?

When breeders entrust one of their high-quality puppies to another vetted home, the breeder ensures all the dogs that they would want to use in their breeding program are able to get the attention and care they deserve. 

If a breeder personally kept every dog they wanted to include in their program, inevitably their home would become packed with dogs. That can lead to stress and sickness. For breeders who maintain their dogs in a pet environment it can also lead to inability to train appropriately, and to dogs who aren’t getting enough individual attention. This can be especially true with high energy or high-maintenance dogs. 

‘Co-parenting’ with a guardian home is a win-win situation for everyone involved: the breeder can use dogs whose genetics and temperaments are in line with the goals of their program, without overcrowding their home. The guardian home has a wonderful family member as well as intense support from the breeder. The dog gets to be the star of their home. 

How do I know if it’s the right fit for me?

A guardian is a special person who is committed to providing an excellent home to a dog of breeding quality. Contracts vary (and make sure to read and understand your obligations!), but generally guardians must make their dog available for testing and evaluations, breeding, and whelping. 

You can read my expectations of a guardian home here. This is a partnership I take very seriously, and as such I try to be as transparent as possible about this opportunity. One of my primary expectations is candid and frequent communication. I think of my guardians as partners in my breeding program.  If you find you have questions for me, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Other breeders will have other requirements. This is a relationship that lasts for years between a guardian and breeder, so I encourage you to do your research to determine who you would like to work with if you feel guardianship is right for you. Breeders should interview you ahead of time — don’t be afraid to interview them, as well! 

Here are just a few questions to ask a breeder:

  • How often would my dog’s services be required? 
  • Who covers certain expenses (vet bills, genetic testing, professional training, etc) and under what circumstances? 
  • Would I be able to pick a puppy from a future litter if desired? 
  • What if I decide to move away? What if you move away? 
  • What if the dog is forced to retire early, due to an accident or other unforeseen circumstance?
  • What if the dog is seriously injured or killed?
  • Who is responsible for the dog’s health insurance (if any)?
  • Am I free to make veterinary care decisions?

Shouldn’t all puppies in a purebred litter be ‘show quality’?

The goal of ethical breeders is to have a stable, healthy bloodline that produces stable, healthy dogs. Responsible breeders will raise every puppy in the litter with some type of ENS/enrichment program, treating every puppy as if it might end up being the top show dog in the world!

But not every puppy is show quality. There isn’t anything wrong with puppies whose noses are a little too sharp or ears are too wide-set for the show ring, and they will make lovely pets. In order to produce the best-possible dogs, breeders have to be selective about which dogs are bred. And as much as they love every puppy in the whelping box a responsible breeder simply can’t keep them all.

For a star-studded analogy, consider the Hemsworth brothers. There’s Chris, Liam, and Luke. All three of them are actors. I’d argue that most people don’t even know about Luke, who I’m sure is a nice person and a professional on a set. It just so happens Chris, his younger brother, plays a god in the largest movie franchise in history. Same genetics, different outcomes.

If you would like to discuss my breeding program, feel free to reach out to me. Even if you are not interested in a Pomeranian but have found this information helpful in your journey to becoming a guardian home, I would be happy to answer any questions.