Can you get a same-day vet appointment?

I called my vet around 9 this morning to get an appointment for Makayla. She has some bumps from a skin infection (same thing she had a year ago so I was pretty sure I knew what was wrong with her) and figured she's due for her rabies shot so we'd get that done too. No problem, got in at 4:45 today. (BTW, yes, skin infection again - last one was one year ago tomorrow, so he figures it may well be some sort of irritant out this time of year that we may well deal with every year, so got some Baytril and should clear right up).

Anyway, I was talking to the vet and we got on the subject of vets who don't have same day appointments. He said he's had clients come from other vet clinics who have had dogs with ear infections and the clinic can't get them in for 3 or 4 days. I told him I'm spoiled and can't imagine having to wait 3 days to get in.

So it made me wonder how many people have to wait to see their vets. Can you get same day appointments? Only for emergencies or for routine stuff as well?

My vet can almost always squeeze me in , but I try very hard not to abuse the privilege. They do keep emergency slots open for their clients, but will often squeeze me in for a non-urgent issue.
I don't know how much of that is that she's great and how much is that I'm a huge cash cow for them and they know I don't abuse them or their goodwill. I've been their client for years.

My answer is like Blanche's - usually I can get them in the same day if it isn't an emergency. Mondays are really busy, as are Saturdays, so I try to avoid those days if possible (if it isn't an emergency..then I need to plan anyway to be away from the office for an hour or two).

If it's an emergency, they will always tell me to come in. If it's not life threatening, they will either set a time later to come by, or ask me to drop off. If it's something serious, they would make time right away.

I feel very lucky to have a great vet - especially these last few weeks.

I can ALWAYS get in on the same day - even on a Saturday when they are slammed. But, I make them a lot of money.

I think if it's desperate, I can, but I'm not necessarily guaranteed to see MY vet...I may have to see one of his partners. I can also drive much further to his other office on days he's not at the one that is closer to me, and I have done that.

If I need to get in right away, I can go to my "old" vet, which is much closer (4 min. down the street) and is all walk-in. (Not for scheduled surgeries, etc., but they are walk-in for visits.) I would do that in a pinch (I've done it when Wally got something in his eye, e.g.).

After contributing around $70,000 to my vet's bottom line over the last few years I would expect them to have one on stand-by for me 24/7 and roll out the red carpet as I pull up.

I'm lucky that my vets are a major referral centre and although I only really like to see the main partners, if I need same day service for something I'll take any vet on duty. Never have a problem.

I didn't vote because we needed a third choice. I can get Tilly in the same day if it is something that needs attention soon (but not an emergency). If it's for shots or something like that, I have to wait my turn.

I didn't vote either because it depends, most times yes I can, but there are some days they are really busy and I have to wait a day or two, but they will ALWAYS get us in for an emergency.

We have been really lucky with our vet(s) and they can get us in the same day, if needed, but normally I don't need to get in the same day. A few times they have even stayed open late for us (since we are way on the other side of town). Sophie's vet is a specialist so she is a little harder to get in the same day but when we had an emergency, she also stayed later for us.

My vet and the others in the office are great. If I want to get the pugs in on the same day they always get them in. By the same token I wouldn't ever try to get them in same day for their annual or something I could schedule in advance. On many occasions one or the other of them has stayed after hours for me to run one of the pugs over that needs to be seen immediately like if they've eaten a mushroom or scratched an eye at the end of office hours.

I've always been able to get a pug in the same day if it was important. They're pretty good at screening calls like that and I've been with them long enough so they know if I say it's really important, then it's really important. Sometimes, when they are really crazy, I will do a walk through (if I have time to wait) or a drop off (where the vet sees them when he has time in between his appointments and then calls me to discuss). But they always get same day care if they need it.

I can't think of a time when I couldn't get them in same day. If it's something I don't want to wait on, but isn't an emergency - I'll drop them off when they open and then pick them up after work. That way they can work it into their schedule during the day. I think there's a mutual respect that I don't bring in the animals unless something is really going on. Sometimes I get called and they've already been looked at before I get to work.

We haven't had any urgent issues since we've been seeing this vet but they're not generally terribly willing to go out of their way for any reason. The office staff is awful. I have found a new vet that I'm actually really excited about. I was just looking at their website tonight, actually, and noticed that it says to just come in immediately for emergencies. I think that's a good sign!

I've never tried to get them in on the same day unless it was really important, but they've always been very accommodating. Sometimes it will be a drop-off but that's fine with me.

My vet has 7 others in the same office so I can always get in to see someone even if it's not an emergency. In fact we're lucky enough to have a vet on call 24/7. And as long as my particular vet is not off for some reason I've always been able to get in to see her even if she's booked. Of course we spend a TON of money there and I've referred a bunch of clients.

No complaints here. We have been clients at our practice for longer than I care to remember. They are excellent and will always see us, almost immediately.

I can usually get in on the same day. My regular vet seems to be moving towards retirement, so he isn't in the office as often. I've been going to a vet a little further away, and they have 2-3 vets on staff and a more "modern" practice. My regular vet used to bend over backward for us. He even made several house calls. We spend a ton of money there, but for different reasons than you all...cattle. So he used to take very good care of me and my "dogs". In some ways I'm sad to see him retire, but it's not a bad thing either.

Always. I too contribute to his bottom line with rescue fosters and referrals, but not nearly to the level that Rona has with her vet!!! Thank god. I do think that the reason Lisa and I, being in TN, can get into a vet so easily is that no one here takes very good care of their pets as a rule. There are of course exceptions, like Lisa and I, but we are not the rule. I got another foster yesterday and I took her in without notice and he saw me within 30 mins.... He just laughs now when I come in...

if it's an emergency, definitely. usually for physicals and stuff that can wait, you have to book in advance.

I wouldn't know as we've not had to go in the same day for anything. I normally just call to schedule an appointment if they need to be seen. Neither has had to have anything done that needed an immediate appointment.

Yup! Any time. AND on Sundays. And Saturdays. My vet's got someone there 24/7.