Pets Care : Facility provides elite emergency care for pets - NewsChannel 9 WSYR

Facility provides elite emergency care for pets - NewsChannel 9 WSYR

Posted: 03 May 2012 02:37 PM PDT

East Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Emergency room care is always a hot-button topic and it's now becoming as important for pets as it is for the people who take care of them.

One emergency pet care facility in Syracuse is equipped with the same level of care and expertise for pets as any other medical facility found in the Salt City area -- The Emergency Department of the Veterinary Medical Center on Bridge Street in East Syracuse.

The facility never closes and, even at 4 a.m., the staff provides non-stop monitoring and care of patients – many of them with broken bones or in surgical recovery – each one of them receiving quality care.

The facility is unique to the Syracuse area, but considering the growing pet care industry, it's becoming more and more common.

"We are unique in that we're the only 24/7 place in town, and soon we'll have a 'criticalist' here 7 days a week," said Dr. Maureen Luschini.

Luschini is a 'criticalist' herself – a board certified veterinary specialist in critical care, especially in case of extreme trauma. She leads a team of veterinarians and staff with a wide range of expertise in a place that offers everything you'll find in an emergency room for humans, including: a sterile surgical suite, radiology and lab services, a CAT scan machine, an oncology unit, an area for physical therapy and intensive care.

While the care is first-rate, emergency-room caliber care doesn't come without a cost. The staff at the Emergency Department of the Veterinary Medical Center is upfront with the costs for the care, but there are options. Pet owners can discuss payment plans and there is also insurance available for pets.

"The one important thing with pet insurance is owners are required to pay upfront," Luschini said. "It's not like human insurance where we'll bill you later, but there are options out there and our goal is to provide you with your options, not only medical, but payment options as well."

More information is available at the Emergency Department of the Veterinary Medical Center's website.

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