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CAREERS | Online Pharmacy
Hours 5447 Lincoln Street E
East Canton, OH 44730
(330) 871-8013

Pet Emergencies

Find treatment fast.

Small Animals (Dogs/Cats) 

After-hours/weekend emergency services are referred to the following emergency clinics:

Small Animal Exotics

After-hours/weekend emergency services are referred to:

Large/Farm Animals (Equine/Livestock) 

Dearest Clients,

We would like to inform you of the changes to our large animal/equine emergency services effective August 1, 2023. We desire and strive to provide quality and reliable emergency medicine to our established large animal/equine clients.

What’s going on?

The coverage hours will be modified; established current clients will be provided emergency coverage during the daytime hours up to 9 pm.  After 9 pm until 7 am the next morning, large animal/equine patients requiring emergency medical care will need to be hauled to either Equine Specialty Hospital (horses only) or The Ohio State University (horses and farm animals).

How did we come to this?

The reason for the change to our policy is to improve the work-life balance and overall well-being of our veterinarians. Currently, less than 1% of students graduating from veterinary school will pursue a career in equine medicine and half of that 1% will leave equine practice within the first 5 years after graduation. The demands of providing after-hour emergency services have unfortunately contributed to a nationwide shortage of farm & equine veterinarians.  

Our veterinarians want to continue providing farm animal/equine services because they are very passionate about their profession, love what they do each day, and enjoy working with our amazing clients.

Let’s help them by doing the following so they can enjoy a full life by supporting their efforts to take time away from work and recharge.

How can you help support your awesome equine/farm animal veterinarian?

  • Understand that the veterinary industry is changing concerning expectations of your veterinarians’ time and availability. Just like your regular human doctor, you do not have 24/7/365 direct contact with them. Please respect the boundaries of your veterinarians. Just like you, they need private time away to rest, relax and recharge. If it is after-hours, consider whether contacting the veterinarian is necessary or if it is a matter or question that can wait until the next business day. If after-hour calls are necessary, telemedicine may be provided in some situations, and telemedicine consultation fees may apply.  We love and encourage questions but please try to call the clinic during routine business hours if it is not a true emergency.
  • Call during the day or morning when you notice something is “off” with your animal; please do not wait until the evening to think “he/she still is not feeling better”.  Generally, most illnesses are best treated at the initial early stages before they become advanced in disease. Generally, early treatment results in better overall outcomes.
  • Establish a valid VCPR (Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship) with your veterinarians through yearly routine preventative healthcare such as vaccinations, dental care, Coggins testing, routine wellness exams, and herd checks. Routine work is performed by the veterinarians during routine business hours. Many times, having routine preventative care provided for your animals can decrease the number of emergencies that may arise. Currently, to be considered a routine current client of Red Star Vet, your farm animals/horses must have been seen within the last 24 months for routine preventative care during business hours to qualify for emergency service coverage before 9 pm.

I’m an established large animal/equine current client and have an emergency between 7 am – 9 pm what do I do?

  • Call the clinic at (330) 871-8013 and leave a detailed message for the on-call veterinarian. You will receive a call back within 20 minutes and quality emergency veterinary service will be provided if indicated.
  • Please keep your phone lines open! Many times, we have trouble returning emergency calls due to busy phone lines or just not answering the phone.
  • Have a clear set of directions available to direct our veterinarian to the horse’s/livestock’s location including the house/farm address number.
  • Be prepared to describe the horse’s/livestock’s age, breed, sex, and symptoms.
  • Inform us immediately and clearly if referral or surgery is an option.
  • Have your animal caught up and properly restrained before our arrival. Horses must have a halter on and lead rope readily available. 
  • Full payment is expected at the time of service and emergency fees do apply. We accept Visa/MC/Discover, Carecredit, and cash. We do not offer any billing options.
  • Try to stay calm and we will do our best to promptly provide excellent emergency veterinary care.

I’m an established large animal/equine current client and have an emergency after 9 pm what do I do?

  • Farm animals and horses requiring emergency care after 9 pm will need to be hauled to either:
    •  Equine Specialty Clinic (equine only)
      (440) 834-0811
      17434 Rapids Road Burton, OH
    • The Ohio State University (all farm animals & equine)
      (614) 292-6661
      601 Vernon L Tharp Street Columbus, OH.
  • If you have a truck and trailer, be prepared to haul your animal for an emergency after 9 pm. Most sheep and goats can be readily transported in the back of a car if needed. If you do not have a trailer, now is the time to make transport/trailer arrangements ahead of time instead of during a crisis. 

Happy Hooves and Trails,
The Red Star Veterinary Team

 

Emergency Veterinary Care

Red Star Veterinary Clinic