Emergency Care

This is the biggest question we get at our veterinary practice. It can be confusing, and the last thing you are worried about when your pet is in distress is word usage. Here is a simple explanation of the two:

Urgent Care

Urgent care is needed for those times when your pet’s life is not endangered, but it has something going on that cannot wait for a regular appointment. Some urgent care situations include diarrhea, vomiting, limping, ticks, rash, ear infections, loss of appetite, blood in urine, and runny nose or eyes.

Emergency Care

Emergency care is necessary when a potentially life-threatening illness or situation has occurred. Such situations include collapsing, fainting, deep wounds, animal bites, seizures, heatstroke, inability to walk, or trouble breathing.

While not all emergency and urgent care situations can be avoided, pet parents can do many things that help lower the chances of having to rush to the vet by:

• Always supervise your pet while outdoors
• Keep pets on a leash when walking
• Store toxins and poisons out of reach
• Regularly checking your pet for ticks and skin abnormalities
• Maintain up-to-date vaccines
• Schedule regular wellness exams
• Have fresh water available at all times
• Provide a health diet and plenty of exercise

By following these tips, you can lower your pet’s risk of needing emergency care.

Stay calm and assess your pet’s condition quickly, then immediately contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic for guidance. If your pet is unconscious, bleeding heavily, or having difficulty breathing, transport them carefully to the nearest veterinary facility. Keep emergency contact numbers readily available and follow any first aid instructions provided by veterinary professionals over the phone.

Unfortunately, 911 emergency services are designed for human emergencies and cannot assist with pet medical crises. Instead, contact your veterinarian’s emergency line or the nearest 24-hour animal hospital immediately when your pet needs urgent care. Keep these important veterinary emergency contact numbers easily accessible in your phone and posted in your home for quick reference.

Yes, any significant bleeding should be treated as a veterinary emergency requiring immediate professional attention. While minor cuts may be manageable at home, heavy bleeding, deep wounds, or bleeding that doesn’t stop within a few minutes indicates serious injury. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth while transporting your pet to the veterinary clinic immediately.

Pet emergencies include any life-threatening conditions such as difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, seizures, or signs of extreme pain. Other emergency situations involve suspected poisoning, inability to urinate or defecate, bloated abdomen, or significant trauma from accidents. When in doubt, contact your veterinarian immediately as early intervention often determines the outcome of emergency situations.

Take your pet to an emergency veterinarian immediately if they exhibit signs of respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, or obvious signs of extreme pain. Other urgent situations include suspected poisoning, inability to stand or walk normally, continuous vomiting or diarrhea, or any sudden behavioral changes that concern you. Trust your instincts – if something seems seriously wrong with your pet, seek professional veterinary care without delay.