Because Emergencies Deserve Familiar Care: Why 24/7 Support Is for Our Active Patients
At PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic, we know that emergencies never happen on schedule. A sudden illness, an accident, or a frightening change in behavior can strike in the middle of the night or on a weekend—and when it does, you need to know you’re not alone.
That’s why we’re proud to be one of the only veterinary clinics in the Dubuque area that offers 24/7 on-call veterinary support for our established patients. It’s a commitment we make to the families who trust us with their pets’ care—and it’s one we take seriously. But with that level of availability comes a responsibility—both for us, and for the pet owners we serve.
Why Does This Policy Exist?
Veterinary emergency care is about more than availability—it’s about being able to act quickly, confidently, and safely. To do that, we need to know your pet’s:
- Current medications and allergies
- Vaccination history
- Past medical issues
- Recent lab results
- Behavior during exams or illness
Without this relationship, we’re starting in the dark—and that puts your pet at risk as well as our staff. That’s why we reserve our emergency services for patients we know and actively care for.
How Do You Stay “Active” in Our System?
To remain eligible for 24/7 emergency support, your pet must:
- Have had a wellness exam within the last 16 months at PetMed
- Be up to date on core vaccines, administered by our team
- Have completed any routine labs or monitoring recommended by our doctors
- Maintain a regular care relationship with one of our veterinarians
If you’re not sure whether your pet qualifies, give us a call at (563) 583-8387—we’re happy to check and help get you caught up.
What If You’re Not a Current Client and Have an Emergency?
We understand that not every pet in crisis is under our care. That’s why our after-hours call center will never leave you without options. If your pet is not an active patient, our call service will still answer your call and direct you to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital or offer contact information for trusted ER partners such as:
- BluePearl Pet Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA
- VCA-VES in Middleton, WI
- Madison Veterinary Specialists in Madison, WI
Even if we can’t help your pet ourselves, we’ll make sure you’re not left searching alone.
This Isn’t About Saying “No”—It’s About Being Ready to Say “Yes”
We love being available when our patients need us most. But that level of care takes preparation, teamwork, and trust on both sides. We never want to guess at a diagnosis, or hope a medication is safe. We want to know—and that means having a relationship with your pet before the emergency happens.
We’re Here When It Matters Most—If We’ve Been There All Along
Our doctors make themselves available nights, weekends, and holidays to offer emergency guidance and support because we care deeply about the families we serve. But in return, we ask that our clients honor that commitment by investing in year-round wellness care for their pets. Need to schedule your pet’s annual exam or get back on track? Book an appointment online or call us at (563) 583-8387, we’re always happy to help.