Real emergency or can it wait?
Out-of-hours vet visits in the UK cost from £150 just to walk in the door. Knowing the difference between "rush now" and "Monday morning" saves £200-500.
Red flags — go now
- Breathing difficulty: heavy panting at rest, blue gums, open-mouthed gasping.
- Distended abdomen, unproductive retching, restlessness → suspected GDV/bloat (especially in Great Danes, Setters, GSDs).
- Repeated vomiting + bloody diarrhoea.
- Seizures lasting more than 1 minute or cluster seizures.
- Heavy bleeding that doesn't slow after 5 minutes of pressure.
- Trauma: hit by car, fall from height, deep bite wound.
- Poisoning: chocolate, grapes/raisins, antifreeze, ibuprofen, paracetamol, xylitol.
- Unconsciousness or non-responsive.
- Cannot urinate for 24h+ (urinary blockage).
- Whelping: 30+ minutes of straining without a puppy.
Amber — same day, not next week
- Vomiting or diarrhoea persistent over 12h.
- Severe lameness, non-weight-bearing.
- High temperature (over 39.5°C).
- Not eating or drinking 24h+.
- Painful, squinting red eye (possible corneal ulcer).
Green — book a normal appointment
- One-off vomit, dog otherwise active.
- Minor cut cleaned at home.
- Mild lameness after exercise that resolves in hours.
- Moderate itching without skin lesions.
Real UK OOH costs (2025)
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| OOH consultation fee | £150-280 |
| Bloods (full panel) | £80-180 |
| X-ray | £100-200 |
| Ultrasound | £150-300 |
| IV fluids + overnight | £200-450 |
| Emergency surgery (GDV, blockage) | £2,000-5,500 |
Where to go in the UK
- Vets Now: 60+ dedicated OOH clinics, most urban areas.
- BluePearl, VetsNow, MediVet OOH: similar coverage.
- Your normal vet's answering machine: will redirect to the OOH provider they partner with.
- RSPCA hospitals: limited but available in some cities; income-assessed pricing.
Before you leave home
- Phone ahead — they'll prep the room and triage on the way.
- Bring vaccine record, medication list, and the toxin packaging if relevant.
- If seizing, do not put your hand near the mouth; wrap in a blanket.
- If bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth en route.
- Drive safely — the dog needs you alive at the other end.
How CanAI helps
Ask the AI chat to triage symptoms in seconds. The health section lists nearby OOH clinics with phone numbers. And on UK vet pricing alone — one bloat surgery costs 5+ years of insurance premiums. Worth thinking about before that night.