What you can expect during your visit
Pet Emergency Center has an expert team of veterinary professionals to provide the best possible emergency care for your pet. Our state-of-the-art veterinary hospital is clean, comfortable, and efficient. We are ready to help you.
When you arrive, a Customer Service Representative will check you in and take you to an exam room.
A Vet Assistant or Vet Technician will review your concerns and your pet's history. Share information about your pet with our team and let us know everything that may be important. We will work with whatever information you have.
One of our licensed veterinarians will then examine your pet and discuss the findings. If further care is needed, we will provide you with a written estimate of diagnostics and treatment before we proceed.
In some circumstances, our veterinarians may refer you to a specialist who has advanced expertise in areas such as internal medicine or surgery.
Critical Care
When you think of a person in critical or intensive care, you think of a life-threatening scenario. It is the same with our pets; urgent veterinary care is for pets in critical condition.
When you arrive with a pet that requires critical care, our veterinary team will immediately attend to your pet. We will:
Obtain vital signs
A technician will obtain your pet's vital signs - temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, mucous membrane color and capillary refill time along with a detailed history.
Control pain
If your pet is in pain, the veterinarian will address the pain your pet is experiencing, most likely with injectable medication.
Monitor blood pressure and circulation
Our emergency team can read your pet’s blood pressure and take steps to improve blood pressure and circulation. If your pet is bleeding, our vet will minimize blood loss and may recommend a blood transfusion.
Provide fluid therapy
A pet may need fluids to treat shock and prevent or manage dehydration.
Start ventilation support
Our veterinarian will immediately check to ensure your pet is breathing, and if it isn’t, will work to restore your pet’s respiration. We have climate controlled oxygen chambers where your pet can receive immediate life-saving oxygen therapy.
Evaluate diagnostics
Our emergency veterinarians have many diagnostic tools at their fingertips including ultrasound, x-ray and a full in-house laboratory for blood, fecal and urine analysis. Most results can be obtained quickly while you wait.
Reasons Your Pet May Need Treatment at an Emergency Animal Hospital
Ingestion of a harmful object
As soon as you notice your pet has ingested something it shouldn't (rock, toy, sock, large bone or something toxic), you need to contact us right away. Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
Acute diarrhea / vomiting or both
Sudden and severe dehydration and vomiting can be a sign of a serious underlying health issue. Contact us immediately.
Traumatic injury
Traumatic injuries take many forms, such as a dog fight or your pet being hit by a car.
Eye injuries
The eyes are the most delicate parts of the body. If your pet has sustained an eye injury, visit us immediately.
Seizures
Seizures should never be ignored. The underlying cause should be identified if possible and anti-seizure medication should be considered.
Weakness or collapse
Your pet should never appear weak or collapse. Weakness or collapse usually indicates serious changes in blood pressure or circulation, which may occur with internal bleeding or a dangerous underlying metabolic condition.
Lethargy or anorexia
It may not be normal if a pet is lethargic or skips a meal; there may be a serious underlying problem that could get worse without treatment.
This is not an exhaustive list. If your pet’s health is deteriorating fast, contact us for an immediate assessment.
