Here at VetCheck Pet Urgent Care Center in Fishers, we are open nights and weekends to provide your pet with the care they need. We do our best to provide prompt care for our patients, but sometimes, wait times are longer than anyone would like. If you are one of the many pet parents wondering why there are such long waits at emergency veterinary hospitals, keep reading to learn more. 

 Staff Shortages

COVID-19 has created challenges in every industry — including the veterinary industry. Any staff member who displays COVID-19 symptoms or has been directly exposed to someone who tested positive is unable to return to work until they have received a negative test result. And anyone who tests positive must remain quarantined for ten days. This has resulted in ongoing staff shortages. Despite our best efforts, we are sometimes short-staffed, which impacts wait times. 

Clinic Closures

Many general veterinary practices have been forced to close due to staffing issues. In response, pet parents seek treatment for their furry family members from walk-in clinics, like VetCheck Pet Urgent Care Center. We’ve seen a significant increase in patients since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and keeping up with the demand isn’t always easy. 

Triage Process

When a pet arrives, our technicians evaluate them and obtain a complete medical history. This triage process allows them to identify — and prioritize — the most urgent problems. Pets who are experiencing life-threatening problems move to the front of the line so they can receive immediate care. If your pet is stable, your wait time may be longer. We ask you to be patient and understand that we are doing our best to provide the best care for every pet who enters the facility. And if your pet’s condition worsens while you are waiting, please let us know. 

Working in Veterinary Medicine Isn’t Easy

Veterinary professionals do what they do because they love animals. Sometimes, though, the job can be emotionally draining. The veterinarian or technician responsible for treating your pet may have just lost a critical patient or spent an extended period trying to resuscitate a beloved companion. A frustrated and overwhelmed client may have yelled at them. They might be exhausted from working long hours. 

Everyone on our team wants the same thing you do: To help your pet get better as quickly as possible. We understand that long wait times are frustrating — especially when your pet’s health is on the line. Please remember to show kindness, compassion, patience, and understanding. 

If your pet needs urgent care in Fishers, we can help. Schedule an appointment or bring them in right away.