Emergency & Critical Care Overview

When Does My Pet Need Emergency Care?

Any of the following situations can be considered an emergency:

• Difficulty breathing or severe coughing
• Ingestion of a foreign object, drug, poison or unknown substance
• Bleeding or unexplained bruising
• Blood in vomit, feces or urine
• Severe vomiting, retching, or diarrhea
• Swollen, hard or painful abdomen
• Serious wound
• Suspected broken limb
• Any injury to the eye
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Inability to move or sudden weakness
• Unusual or erratic behavior
• Signs of extreme pain
• Straining to urinate (especially a male cat)
• Labor that does not progress
• Prolonged heat exposure, overheating or heat stroke
• Snake bite

If you are concerned about your pet at any time, please contact us. We are happy to counsel you on the best course of action.

What Is Critical Care?

While an emergency is unfolding, or throughout recovery from a serious illness or accident, ongoing diagnostic and therapeutic care and constant monitoring of your pet's condition are required. Many emergency and critical care facilities offer 24-hour supervision of critically ill pets.

Will My Regular Veterinarian Still Be Involved?

Many emergency hospitals work on a referral basis with general practitioners. In some cases, your pet will only be referred to the emergency service for after-hours care. In other cases, your pet may be in the care of the emergency hospital for the duration of the emergency and recovery, but then referred back to your general practitioner veterinarian for follow up and routine care.