Emergency veterinary care is medical treatment provided when a pet is experiencing a sudden, serious, or life-threatening condition that cannot wait for a routine appointment. Just like human emergency rooms, emergency animal hospitals are designed to handle urgent situations quickly, often outside of regular business hours.
When Is Care Considered an Emergency?
Emergency care is needed when a pet’s health is at immediate risk or when delaying treatment could cause pain, complications, or worse outcomes. Common examples include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Seizures or collapse
- Trauma (such as being hit by a car)
- Sudden weakness or inability to stand
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Ingestion of toxins or foreign objects
- Difficulty giving birth
If you’re unsure whether something is an emergency, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional guidance.
What Happens at an Emergency Veterinary Visit?
Emergency veterinary teams are trained to assess and stabilize pets quickly. Upon arrival, your pet is typically triaged—meaning the medical team evaluates how urgent the situation is and prioritizes care accordingly. Pets with life-threatening conditions are treated immediately, while those who are stable may wait briefly.
Treatment may include diagnostics such as bloodwork or imaging, pain management, oxygen therapy, IV fluids, or emergency surgery, depending on the situation.
How Emergency Care Differs From Regular Veterinary Visits
Routine veterinary care focuses on preventive health, wellness exams, and ongoing conditions. Emergency veterinary care focuses on immediate stabilization and treatment during critical moments. Emergency hospitals are often open nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure pets can receive care when primary clinics are closed.
Supporting Pet Owners in Stressful Moments
Emergencies are emotional and overwhelming. Emergency veterinary teams understand this and work to communicate clearly, explain options, and provide compassionate care for both pets and their people. While visits may feel fast-paced, the goal is always the same: to relieve suffering and protect your pet’s health.
Knowing Where to Go Before an Emergency Happens
Emergency veterinary care exists to be there when you need it most—providing urgent, skilled, and compassionate care during some of the most difficult moments of pet ownership.
