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PHOTOS: An evening in the life of an emergency vet

Alexa Franklin, a vet tech at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic, holds on to Nova, a 13-year-old cat, after removing her from her carrier on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Across the Salem area, vet care is in short supply, with many pet owners reporting they’ve waited weeks or months to get pets in for everything from ear infections to gastrointestinal problems.

Veterinarians and their staff, particularly at emergency practices, say they’re working at a breakneck pace, seeing far more patients than typical. That’s put particular strain on Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic, which is open nights and weekends.

READ MORE: Shortage of vet care means long waits for owners, burnout for workers

Dr. Don Judson and vet tech Marisa Barrios hold on to Dutch, a black labrador with a facial laceration as Dr. Judson examines the injury at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Renee Berryman and Alexa Franklin hold on to Pinky, a cat who had a reaction to medication as they discuss treatment with Dr. Don Judson at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Bundled up in a blanket to prevent movement, Nova, a 13-year-old cat hisses as her leg is washed off prior to a blood draw at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Dr. Don Judson make a phone call to keep the owners of pets up to date at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Dr. Don Judson stitches up Dutch, a black Labrador with a facial laceration, as vet tech trainee Mike Spencer holds the sedation in place at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Vet tech Marisa Barrios shaves the tail of Fiona, a cat with an injury to her tail, at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Assistant Renee Berryman carries out Porter the dog to return him to his owner who was waiting outside in a vehicle at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Vet techs Marisa Barrios and Mike Spencer try to calm down a nervous dog brought in for an allergic reaction at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Vet tech Alexa Franklin administers medication to induce vomiting to a dog that was suspected of ingesting its owner’s medication at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Renee Berryman speaks with Ron Freshour after returning his dog, Porter, to him following treatment at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Alexa Franklin, a vet tech at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic, holds on to Nova, a 13-year-old cat, after removing her from her carrier on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Vet tech Alexa Franklin carries out Porter after taking x-rays at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

Vet tech Marisa Barrios fills out a kennel ID card for a patient at the Salem Veterinary Emergency Clinic on Nov. 10, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)

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