Emergency Veterinary Services
If your pet is experiencing any symptoms or behaviors that you are concerned about, contact one of the after-hours emergency pet hospital locations above.
These reliable veterinary hospitals offer veterinary care for pets in most emergency situations.
Steps to Take In A Pet Emergency
If you are experiencing a veterinary emergency, follow the steps below.
- Call Ahead If Possible: Call the emergency animal hospital listed above to let them know you are on the way.
- Follow Instructions Provided: When you call to let the emergency pet hospital know you are on your way, instructions may be provided to help you apply first aid or otherwise make your pet as comfortable. Follow these instructions carefully.
- Remain Calm: Remain calm and be extra careful around your pet. When an animal is in pain they often react negatively towards anyone trying to help and could bite or scratch.
- Bring Your Pet In For Care: Do not put yourself at risk! Safely bring your pet to the emergency veterinary clinic.
Emergency FAQs
Read through our most frequently asked questions below to learn more about bringing your pet in for an emergency appointment at Harbor Animal Hospital.
- Do I need to call ahead?
It's always best to contact the emergency vet in advance if you can, but in emergency situations that may not always be possible. Just do what you can in the moment.
- What situations require emergency veterinary care?
The following situations are examples of emergencies that require immediate care:
- Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
- Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
- Fractured bones or severe lameness
- Seizures and/or staggering
- Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
- Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; 2+ episodes in 24-hours
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Heat stress or heatstroke
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Unconsciousness
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
The emergency animal hospital is just like a human doctor's office, in that it can be unpredictable and you may have to wait.
The emergency vet cannot predict what cases they will see and when they will arrive. If possible, call ahead to find out whether they are able to provide emergency care for your dog or cat.
- What happens if my pet needs to stay in the hospital?
Some veterinary emergencies require intensive overnight care. The emergency veterinarian will consult with you and make a recommendation for the best course of action for your pet.
While in the care of the emergency veterinary hospital, the dedicated staff will treat your pet as if they were our own. You will be kept abreast of developments in a timely fashion.
