Lack of appetite, sudden restlessness or impaired urination often indicate dangerous illnesses in pets. But short-term appointments are not always available at veterinarians. A YouGov study commissioned by the Rex veterinary practice shows that one in three pet owners in Germany have had to wait three days or more for an appointment with a doctor at least once. This is particularly the case when it comes to a specialist, says Sophia Fachmann, Head of Veterinary Medicine at Rex, putting the numbers into perspective. She emphasizes that in urgent cases, German veterinary practices try to make appointments at short notice or refer people to a clinic or emergency service. The expert also explains which symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately and which signs indicate a life-threatening illness.
Berlin. Many pet owners are familiar with the situation: an appointment is not always available at short notice for a planned visit to the vet. According to a representative YouGov study commissioned by Rex, 32 percent of owners have waited three days or longer for an appointment. According to the study, more than 13 percent of owners even experienced waiting times of a week or more. But whether the dog or cat can wait that long cannot be determined based on the number of days. “When acute complaints arise, practices try to bring urgent cases forward or refer them to an emergency service or a clinic,” explains Sophia Fachmann, Head of Veterinary Medicine at Rex, an operator of several modern practices. The startup offers a platform for veterinary appointments and an electronic patient file.
Doctor warns of several symptoms
According to the expert, it is crucial to have the urgency assessed by a veterinarian in the event of an acute general health problem. It is also important to describe the symptoms as precisely as possible. “Caution is particularly advised if you have breathing problems, impaired urination, repeated vomiting, severe pain or a suddenly bloated stomach,” explains the expert. Other symptoms, such as eye injuries and acutely red or cloudy eyes, should also be examined quickly, as certain illnesses can cause permanent vision damage.
Urethral obstruction can be fatal
A complete urethral obstruction is particularly dangerous, emphasizes experts. This primarily occurs in tomcats. “Untreated, this disease can quickly lead to kidney damage, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and, in the worst case, even death,” warns Fachmann. Especially in cats, the signs would be easily overlooked. In addition, frequent unsuccessful visits to the litter box can sometimes be misunderstood as constipation or behavioral problems, although a painful and potentially dangerous urination disorder can be behind it,” explains the Rex expert. According to the doctor, if the flow of urine is blocked, toxins could also accumulate in the body. Another urgent warning is unsuccessful straining when urinating. “If a dog or cat repeatedly tries to urinate, shows pain and no or “If you hardly pass any urine, you shouldn’t wait several days before visiting the vet,” warns the doctor.
Pet owners should not wait when uncertain
The most important message is therefore: “If you are unsure, call early. Pet owners do not have to be able to judge for themselves which illness is behind a symptom. “You should describe the changes you observe as precisely as possible and have the medical urgency assessed by a doctor,” warns specialists.
Expert names crucial questions for a visit to the vet
So that the veterinarian can assess how acute the symptoms are, according to Rex's Head of Veterinary, pet owners should answer the following questions directly during their visit: How long has the problem existed? Is it getting worse? Does the animal eat and drink? Can it pass urine and feces normally? Is he vomiting, in pain, or breathing differently than usual? Are there any pre-existing conditions or is the animal taking medication? “The possible ingestion of toxins or foreign bodies should also be mentioned,” explains Fachmann and concludes: “This is the only way to correctly assess pets’ complaints and therefore make targeted appointments for veterinary visits.”
About Rex
Rex is a startup founded in Berlin in 2021 by Jonathan Loesing and Julian Lechner. On the one hand, Rex operates its own, modern, technology-supported veterinary practices. On the other hand, Rex also offers a digital platform for pet owners for veterinary appointments, and an electronic medical record. Rex's focus is on a pleasant customer experience, digitalized processes and first-class veterinary care. The company has already raised over five million euros from investors and aims to digitize the market for veterinary care and make it more efficient. More information at www.rex.app.
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