Urgent Veterinary Care

What Situations Require Emergency Veterinary Care?

We understand that it can be difficult to know when your pet requires emergency veterinary care. Below are examples of situations that may require emergency care:

• Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
• Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
• Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
• Fractured bones or severe lameness
• Seizures and/or staggering
• Unconsciousness
• Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
• Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea; two or more episodes in 24 hours
• Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as xylitol, antifreeze, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
• Eye injuries
• Heatstroke or heat stress
• Refusal to drink for more than 24 hours

What to do if Your Pet is Having an Emergency

Stay Calm: Try to remain calm and be extra cautious around your cat or dog. Pain can lead even the most loving dog or cat to react negatively toward a person trying to help.

Call Ahead: If your pet is experiencing an emergency, call us right away. During our regular business hours, we will make every effort to provide emergency and urgent veterinary care. If we are unable to see your pet with our current schedule, you will be directed to contact one of the other clinics in the city or to the clinic on call.

Follow the Provided Instructions: When you call to notify the emergency hospital that you are on your way, you may be given instructions on how to administer first aid or make your cat or dog feel as comfortable as possible. Follow those steps as carefully as you can.