Urgent or an Emergency?
When our beloved pets suddenly fall ill or get injured, it can be stressful and confusing to figure out the best course of action. Do you rush to urgent care at our hospital, or head straight to our emergency partner at VEG? In this blog post, we’ll help you understand what urgent care involves, when it’s the right choice, and when your pet’s situation might be serious enough for emergency care.
Urgent care is designed to provide immediate medical attention for pets experiencing sudden (but not necessarily life-threatening) illnesses or injuries. If your pet is in discomfort or showing symptoms that can’t wait for a routine appointment, our hospital’s urgent care team is here to offer prompt, compassionate treatment.
Common Reasons for Urgent Care Visits
When to Choose Our Hospital’s Urgent Care
It’s normal to feel worried when your pet is in distress, but not all situations require rushing to a 24-hour emergency center. If your pet is displaying any of the signs mentioned above, urgent care is often sufficient for a thorough assessment and treatment.
Our urgent care services include:
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Stabilizing pets in critical (but not life-threatening) condition
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Managing pain to keep pets as comfortable as possible
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Offering supportive care such as fluids or anti-nausea medication
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Providing minor surgical procedures and wound repairs
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Monitoring and observing pets overnight if necessary
Throughout the process, we’ll keep you informed and involved. Our priority is ensuring that your pet receives the medical attention they need to recover quickly and comfortably.
When to Go Directly to Our Emergency Partner at VEG
While urgent care can handle many sudden health issues, some situations are more severe and require specialized emergency services. You should seek emergency care right away if your pet is experiencing:
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Significant trauma (e.g., being hit by a car)
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Excessive bleeding that doesn’t stop with gentle pressure
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Seizures or collapse
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Inability to stand or walk
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Severe breathing difficulties or choking
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Severe pain that doesn’t respond to initial pain management
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Unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness
In these scenarios, your pet may need advanced life-support equipment, surgery, or intensive monitoring. Our trusted emergency partner, VEG, is fully equipped for 24/7 critical care. If you’re ever unsure whether your pet needs urgent care or emergency services, call us first. We’ll help guide you to the best next step based on your pet’s symptoms.
