A Day in the Life of an Emergency and Urgent Care Veterinarian

Introduction

Life as an emergency and urgent care veterinarian is anything but ordinary. From early morning rushes to late-night emergencies, each day brings new challenges, surprises, and rewards. It’s a job that requires quick thinking, teamwork, and a deep passion for helping animals and their families. As the founder of Omnivet, I’ve dedicated my career to providing advanced emergency and urgent veterinary care to Traverse City and the surrounding Northern Michigan area. In this week’s blog, I’ll take you through a typical day in my life—balancing the demands of being a vet, a father, and a community member, all while ensuring that every pet receives the critical care they need.

P.S. - Follow along for more day-in-the-life stories of being a business owner and a dad while practicing veterinary medicine.

Morning: The Calm Before the Storm

Mornings are a whirlwind for me, and not just because I’m a veterinarian. Like many people, I wear a lot of hats—vet, business owner, husband, and most importantly, dad. Before I even step into the clinic, my day starts at home with my two toddlers. Getting them ready for daycare is no small feat—there are lunches to pack, shoes to find (because there’s always one missing), and a lot of coaxing to get them out the door. It’s chaotic, but it’s a special kind of chaos that keeps me grounded. Once the kids are happily settled at daycare, I switch gears and head to the clinic, ready to tackle whatever the day has in store.

At the clinic, I barely have time to grab a coffee before checking in with my team. Together, we review any overnight cases and prepare for scheduled surgeries or incoming emergencies. As an emergency vet in Traverse City, mornings can sometimes be quiet, but I know better than to get too comfortable—the pace can change in an instant.

Mid-Morning: Urgent Care for Pets in Traverse City, Michigan

The first case of the day rolls in just as I finish the morning huddle. It’s a dog that got into a bag of grapes, a common toxicity issue that needs immediate attention. My team jumps into action, inducing vomiting, getting blood samples, and starting IV fluids to prevent kidney damage. It’s a reminder of how important it is for pet parents to know what foods are toxic to their furry friends.

Meanwhile, I receive a phone call from a referring veterinarian about a dog with a splenic mass that requires emergent surgery. The referring vet provides critical details, and we discuss treatment options, estimated costs, and the post-operative care plan. It’s clear the dog needs to be seen immediately, so we adjust our schedule to fit them in. Working closely with primary veterinarians in Traverse City and across Northern Michigan is essential to ensure pets have access to the care they need when they need it most. As a former primary veterinarian in Northern Michigan, I know firsthand the stress of having a long-term client need emergency surgery when your schedule is completely full. That’s exactly why Omnivet exists.

While I finish up with the referring vet, my technician and client care coordinator are helping a worried cat owner on the other line. Their outdoor cat, Bruce, hasn’t come home in over a week and is limping when he finally arrives. They’re on their way from Petoskey and won’t arrive for an hour, but we’re prepping for X-rays and wound care before they even get here. At Omnivet, we not only provide care for the pets in Traverse City but also across Northern Michigan.

Noon: Critical Care for Active Pets in Northern Michigan

By midday, the clinic is buzzing. A golden retriever experiencing respiratory distress is rushed in, likely suffering from heatstroke after spending too much time outdoors in the unseasonably warm weather. We immediately administer oxygen therapy, fluids, and begin cooling him with fans and cool water.

Simultaneously, on the other treatment table, we’re treating a kitten with an abscess found by a family camping in Northern Michigan during their summer vacation. In summer, Traverse City's population—and the number of pets needing care—skyrockets. When pet owners are away from their primary veterinarians, we help fill in the gap.

Afternoon: The Unexpected Arrivals

As the day progresses, the unpredictable nature of emergency care takes center stage. A dog hit by a car arrives as a walk-in, suffering multiple injuries. It’s all hands on deck as we perform emergency diagnostics, stabilize the patient, control his pain, and prepare for surgery. In these moments, teamwork is everything. My skilled technicians and I work seamlessly, each person knowing exactly what to do. Maximizing our veterinary technicians’ skills is crucial! (More on that in a future post.)

While my technicians care for the patient, I focus on communicating with the pet’s owners, working with them to create a treatment plan that meets their pet’s needs while staying within their budget.

At Omnivet, we ensure that every pet parent and referring vet leaves with a full medical record for seamless follow-up care.

Lunchtime (if you can call it that) usually involves eating while calling owners to update them on their pet’s status, discussing diagnostic results, and completing medical records. It’s also when we see less critical cases like ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). These scheduled urgent care cases allow for less waiting time, which benefits both the vet and the pet parent—a win-win for everyone.

Evening: When Every Minute Counts

The evening hours often bring a flood of cases, as pet parents return home from work to discover something is wrong. A frantic owner rushes in with their Labrador, who has swallowed a sock. Foreign body ingestion is all too common, and surgery is often the only solution. While the team preps the operating room, I take a moment to reassure the owner. I know how stressful these moments are, and my job is to offer both medical expertise and emotional support. We walk through the risks and benefits of each decision, ensuring pet parents feel informed and involved.

Another family brings in their elderly cat, who has suddenly stopped eating and seems lethargic. After some quick tests, we diagnose kidney failure and begin both acute and chronic care for their pet. Even though I often treat acute conditions, it’s important that owners feel comfortable with their pet’s long-term care plan.

Late Night: Reflecting on the Day

As my shift winds down, the clinic finally starts to quiet. The staff catches up on cleaning, restocking, and caring for hospitalized patients while I tackle medical records—a tedious but necessary part of the job. I check in on patients and staff before heading home for the night.

If I’m lucky, I’m greeted by the best part of my day—my family. Even if it's just 30 minutes before bedtime, I cherish that time with my kids. Balancing family and work isn’t easy, but it’s essential. Those moments of connection remind me why I do what I do and give me the energy to come back and do it all again tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

Being an urgent care and emergency vet in Traverse City is both an incredible privilege and a constant challenge. Every day, pet parents trust me with their beloved companions in their most vulnerable moments. The human-animal bond is powerful, making it heartbreaking to see pets in pain. Knowing that I can be there for families during their most difficult times, providing the urgent care and compassion they need, gives me strength and purpose. Providing that support means everything to me. It’s what keeps me going and reminds me daily of the profound impact we can have on the lives of both pets and their people.