There are times when you are certain that your dog has an emergency (ie: hit by a car) and there are times when you are very concerned but not convinced that it is an emergency requiring immediate care. When in doubt, head to our emergency services. If possible, call on your way to let us know the type of emergency and if you will need assistance getting into the building and your E.T.A.
Do your best to remain calm and have a driver and a passenger hold the dog while you drive. We are staffed and equipped to handle all types of emergencies. Emergencies are very stressful and it is important that you do your best to remain calm. Your dog will be soothed by your ability to remain calm and speak and a calming tone while driving it to the clinic.
Some types of situations may concern you, but may not have you convinced your dog needs immediate care. In these cases, it is still best to err on the side of caution. Please call or just come into the emergency veterinary hospital. If you decide to call, our staff will do our best to help you decide the best course. Unfortunately, dogs will quite often mask symptoms and it may be difficult to determine the seriousness of the illness. We are here for you and will take care of your dog in the best way possible.
Cats can be very subtle in showing signs of illness. Therefore, it is most important that you be on the lookout for subtle changes in your cat's behavior. If your cat normally greets you and wants to eat when you get home from work, and all of the sudden it neither greats you nor wants to eat, this may be a very serious sign of an immediate need for veterinary medical help.
Although many illnesses can become serious and some may even become fatal if left untreated, not every circumstance truly warrants emergency care.