Primary Care

Emergency Care

VCA Westbury is fully equipped to handle your pet emergency, no matter how big or small. Of course, we hope to never see you under this circumstance, but we want to reassure you that we are here to help. In the event that we feel it would be best for your pet to be transported directly to an emergency facility, or we are closed, we want you to know who we trust, and who to call.

Whether your emergency involves an injury, ingestion of a toxin, trauma or illness, taking quick action can be critical. Please call and ask if there is anything you should, or should not do prior to transporting your pet to the veterinarian.

Please be aware that sick or injured pets may bite or scratch when they ordinarily do not, and use caution while handling your pet in an emergency situation.

Symptoms and Signs of some emergency situations (this is not an exhaustive list):

  • Severe bleeding or bleeding that does not stop after a few minutes

TIP: Place a clean cloth or gauze over a bleeding area with moderate pressure for a full five minutes to see if bleeding will stop.

  • Choking/gagging that does not stop within 1-2 minutes, or is severe.
  • Straining or inability to pass urine/stool.
  • Ingestion of a potentially poisonous material/substance/plant/food.

TIP: Do not induce vomiting prior to contacting animal poison control (not human poison control) or a veterinarian.

  • Heatstroke/hyperthermia

TIP: You can take temperature rectally with a digital thermometer. A temperature over 105 degrees F may be an emergency.

  • Seizures
  • Any eye injury or problem
  • Severe lameness

TIP: Inability or reluctance to use a limb or walk can indicate a fracture or severe injury.

  • Bite or animal attack
  • Trauma- vehicular, falls, or other injuries.
  • Persistent vomiting/diarrhea.

TIP: It is usually best to take up food and water if your pet is vomiting, but please contact a veterinarian for advice right away.

  • Labor (giving birth) for longer than an hour, or a fetus that is not passing out of the birth canal.
  • Labored breathing, elevated respiratory rate or increased respiratory effort.

Please see the information below for the three clinics we refer our emergencies to. All three facilities are fully staffed and operable 24/7/365.

Charleston Veterinary Referral Center - 843-256-8993
3484 Shelby Ray Ct. Charleston, SC 29414

Veterinary Specialty Care - 843-744-3372
3163 W. Montague Ave. North Charleston, SC 29418

Veterinary Emergency Care (Mount Pleasant) - 843-216-7554
985 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC, 29464