When your pet needs fast medical attention, it can be hard to think straight. Getting your pet to the proper medical facility is very important, especially when every second counts during an emergency. This guide will help you determine if your pet needs to go to veterinary urgent care or emergency room:
The Difference Between Pet Urgent and Emergency Care
While pet urgent and emergency care options offer many benefits to animals, there are distinctions and each is used for particular situations. Understanding the difference between these care options can save you valuable time when your pet needs immediate medical attention. If you know where your pet needs to go without making a bunch of phone calls, you will be able to get help faster. Here are the main differences between these kinds of care:
- Veterinary Urgent Care: Urgent care offers quick veterinary care for non-life-threatening situations that still require urgent attention. While pet owners can often get a same-day urgent care appointment, these clinics will not be open 24/7. A same-day urgent care appointment may have an additional charge. It is best to call as soon as possible because reserved urgent care appointments can fill up quickly.
- Veterinary Emergency Care: As the name suggests, veterinary emergency care is the best option for pets who are experiencing a life-threatening emergency. Pets who need emergency care often require advanced care that is only available in emergency centers, or those that might also need to be hospitalized. Emergency hospitals are typically open all day, every day, to provide care whenever it is needed. Your pet’s health issue doesn’t need to be life-threatening, especially after hours, and if an urgent care appointment with a regular vet is unavailable. Most emergency rooms do triage, which means the pets in greatest need of care are seen first.
Cases that Require Veterinary Urgent Care
What exactly does it mean when a pet needs urgent medical attention, but is not having a life-threatening emergency? Some of the most common conditions requiring a visit to urgent care include:
- Bite wounds
- Repeated vomiting (usually one or two times is okay, but you should still report this to your regular veterinarian)
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Limping (as long as it’s not severe)
- Skin issues or excessive scratching
- Bleeding that can be controlled
- Eye and ear irritations
- Small infections
- Issues with anal glands
- Abscesses
A regular veterinarian can evaluate your pet’s wounds or medical issues and refer you to an emergency hospital if needed.
Cases that Require Veterinary Emergency Care
A pet emergency is a situation that requires immediate attention by a medical professional trained in emergency care. The ER staff has additional training, and the hospital has advanced diagnostic equipment. If surgery is needed, there are surgeons at the hospital. Taking your pet right away to an emergency room when they experience health issues like these is critical. Some of the most common (and serious) pet emergencies are:
- Trauma (like being hit by a car or after a fight with another animal)
- Significant bleeding that cannot be controlled
- Trouble breathing
- Seizures
- Bloat or abdominal obstruction
- Pet poisoning
- Gastrointestinal distress
When in doubt about the severity of your pet’s case, you can always call your local emergency veterinary hospital to see if you should visit, or if your pet can visit an urgent care facility instead. Urgent care usually is less expensive than emergency care.
We hope this has helped you have a better idea of whether to visit a veterinary urgent care or emergency room when time is precious and your pet needs help.
At Union Lake Veterinary Hospital, we provide quality veterinary and urgent care services for dogs and cats. Our team is equally compassionate and knowledgeable to give you peace of mind each time you visit. From routine wellness care to veterinary surgery, you can be sure your pet will always receive the veterinary attention they deserve. To learn more, please call (248) 363-1508.