Out Of Hours Veterinary Consultancy

The below letter was sent in the New Year to all animal related magazines and copies were also sent to the BVA, BSAVA, and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The letter has been published in the Vet Record and Your Cat, at the end of January 2005. If you wish to comment on the Out Of Hours Veterinary Consultancy, please email us. Read other peoples responses.

I am Chairwoman of Veterinary Vouchers Charitable Trust Fund and I would like to raise certain issues regarding out of hours veterinary consultation.

On Friday 11th December 2004, I had the misfortune of having a very sick male cat that needed immediate attention. The majority of veterinary practices within my area have recently joined a consortium that provides out of hours consultation, which facilitates travelling quite a distance for the animal to receive the appropriate care.

This raises the following issues:

  • Is this in the best interest of animal welfare, expecting sick and injured animals experiencing further trauma of long journeys?
  • Expecting clients to travel to an unfamiliar location whilst dealing with their sick or injured pet? If the usage of mobile phones causes significant distraction whilst driving, does the cries of a distressed animal warrant the same concerns?
  • Out of hours for vets probably means out of hours for public transport.
  • Can the elderly who are on fixed incomes afford taxi fares and could they deal with the trauma?

The joining of an out of hours consortium appears to be the growing trend amongst veterinarians. This then begs the question, will more companion animals not receive emergency treatment due to the fact that the location of these facilities, require lengthy journeys and therefore due to circumstances unobtainable and for others, be too late?

I urge the veterinary profession to seriously reflect on these issues and I commend those practices still providing their own out of hours service on site for their clients.

Kathleen Pearson, Chairwoman Veterinary Vouchers Charitable Trust Fund.

  • Read other peoples responses.
  • If you wish to comment on the Out Of Hours Veterinary Consultancy please email us.

Updates On Article

  • Read other peoples responses.
  • If you wish to comment on the Out Of Hours Veterinary Consultancy please email us.

Help us to help the veterinary students

    If you too would like to make a donation please send a cheque payable to the "Veterinary Vouchers Trust Fund" to:

    Veterinary Vouchers Charitable Trust Fund,
    P.O.Box 128,
    Ashton-U-Lyne,
    OL6 8YU.

  • Download Gift Aid Form