Facts about emergency care and medical conditions
According to pet insurance statistics3:
- 1 in 3 pets require emergency veterinary treatment each year
- In the US, a pet receives emergency care every 2.5 seconds
- The second most common medical condition in both dogs and cats is gastroenteritis/gastrointestinal
- In dogs, skin conditions is the most common condition canines see veterinarians for
- In cats, urinary tract infections are the most common medical condition
- Diarrhea and vomiting are the top 10 medical conditions in both cats and dogs
- The #1 pet toxin reported in 2022 was over-the-counter medications
- More than 10,000 cats and dogs die annually from exposure to antifreeze with ethylene glycol4
Papaya Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Encinitas, California, recently extended its hours of operation. The hospital was initially operating on a long weekend-only schedule but is now open to patients 24/7. According to Papaya, the extension of its hours was a response to the increasing demand for accessible, high-quality emergency veterinary care in the Encinitas community and its surrounding areas.1
Papaya Veterinary Emergency Hospital first opened its doors to its Encinitas location in mid-February 2024. Since then, Papaya had been focusing on offering emergency care on weekends. However, the emergency hospital recently decided to extend its services to ensure pets receive urgent medical attention when they need it, at any hour of the day or night, given the critical need for continuous availability, according to a news release.1 The emergency hospital offers both emergency and urgent care services, including visits and drop-offs.2
According to Papaya, the hospital required extensive planning and the recruiting of more skilled veterinary professionals with its decision to transition to 24/7 operations. These steps were taken to ensure the hospital could keep its high standards of care.1 Papaya’s operating hours extensions were driven by the hospital’s wish to reduce the stress and anxiety pet owners face when their pets require urgent care outside of regular business hours.
References
- Papaya Veterinary Emergency Hospital expands to 24/7 operations. News release. August 9, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. [email]
- Yankowicz S. Papaya Veterinary Care opens a new location in Encinitas, CA. dvm360. January 31, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/papaya-veterinary-care-opens-a-new-location-in-encinitas-ca
- Metz J. Pet insurance statistics 2024. Forbes. January 3, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-statistics/
- Pet emergency statistics and veterinary costs. Preventive Vet. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.preventivevet.com/pet-emergency-statistics
