Pets’ unexpected health situations are an unfortunate fact of life. However, if your pet suddenly falls ill or sustains an injury, you may wonder what to doIs it an emergency? Or can it wait? 

Understanding the differences between urgent care and veterinary emergency care can help ensure your furry pal receives appropriate attention when needed. The Old 41 Animal Hospital team explains the differences between veterinary care types and emergency health condition signs, so you can get your pet the care they need.

Making the call: How sick is your pet? 

When faced with a pet health emergency or urgent medical issue, you need to assess the situation carefully and determine the type of care that is necessary. Consider the following to make the best decision: 

  • Assess the condition’s severity — Your pet is experiencing an emergency if their health status is quickly deteriorating, they are unresponsive, or they are exhibiting intense pain signs. Urgent veterinary care may be the best option if your pet is stable and responsive with minimal to moderate discomfort. Intuition is a guiding force, so if you believe your pet is dealing with a life-threatening condition, act quickly and contact our team at The Old 41 Animal Hospital for instructions. 
  • Contact our office When you feel unsure about your pet’s signs and condition, always contact our veterinary clinic for help. Based on the details you give about your pet’s condition, such as the signs they’re showing and when these signs began, we can determine and advise you on what to do next. 
  • Adhere to treatment recommendations — After our team examines your pet, always follow our treatment recommendations to prevent future health problems. 

Urgent veterinary care for nonemergencies

Pet urgent care providers handle non-life–threatening medical issues that require prompt attention. Urgent veterinary care providers usually assess and treat pets on the day their signs begin to prevent health conditions from progressing. Urgent care provides your pet with the care they need without veterinary emergency treatment’s added costs. The following conditions and health changes benefit from urgent veterinary care treatment:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Lethargy or depression
  • Skin rash
  • Minor wounds and stings
  • Hair loss
  • Minor limping
  • Loss of appetite
  • Consumption of a foreign object
  • Runny nose, coughing, sneezing
  • Eye redness or tearing
  • Ear infections

Time to go: Veterinary emergency care

Rely on veterinary emergency care in critical situations where a pet’s life is at risk, and immediate medical intervention is necessary. Emergency hospitals are equipped to handle life-threatening cases and have advanced technologies and equipment to treat the most severe medical situations, along with intensive care services, including monitoring, intravenous (IV) fluids, oxygen therapy, and surgical intervention if necessary. Most veterinary emergency care hospitals are open 24 hours per day, seven days per week, because emergencies can happen at any time.

How do you determine whether your pet needs emergency care? Severe injuries, life-threatening illnesses, or sudden, acute medical crises that require immediate attention are all cause for emergency care. Your pet needs emergency care for the following signs:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Bleeding from the nose, ears, or rectum
  • Paralysis 
  • Choking
  • Seizure
  • Anaphylactic shock
  • Trauma or accident, such as being hit by a car or falling from a height
  • Fractures
  • Heatstroke or hypothermia
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Bite or attack from wild animal
  • Labored breathing or gasping for air
  • Difficulty giving birth
  • Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea 

The importance of early intervention for your pet’s condition

Early intervention is vital to ensure your pet’s well-being, whether dealing with an emergency or an urgent health condition. When you recognize early illness signs and take prompt action, you help prevent your pet from experiencing further complications, reduce their pain, and improve their chances for recovery. Remember, your pet cannot communicate their discomfort or other signs in words, so you must be vigilant and attentive to their health status.

Pet urgent care can address many common ailments and provide timely treatment for non-life–threatening conditions. However, veterinary emergency hospitals are equipped to handle critical cases and provide around-the-clock care for pets in crisis. 

If your pet is ill, has sustained an injury, or behaves abnormally in any way, contact The Old 41 Animal Hospital team. By ensuring your pet receives the timely and appropriate medical attention they deserve, you positively impact their health and happiness.