What Is the Difference Between Emergency Pet Care and Urgent Pet Care?
Plenty of veterinarians offer urgent pet care. Others offer emergency pet care but only during business hours. Still others, like the team at Western Veterinary Center, offer 24/7 emergency services for pets.
What’s the difference between these services? How do you know where to take your pet when she’s injured, sick, or exhibiting strange symptoms?
Let’s take a look.
Urgent Care Defined
Urgent veterinary care is all about treating non-life-threatening conditions in pets. It’s different from routine veterinary care in that it’s not something you plan ahead for. And while a pet may need urgent or immediate medical attention, it doesn’t mean she’s experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
Examples of conditions that might require urgent care include:
- Coughing or sneezing that won’t go away
- Changes in appetite or drinking habits
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Unusual behavior, including tiredness (lethargy)
- Limping or difficulty walking
- Minor cuts and wounds
- Frequent scratching or itching
- Diarrhea, vomit, or other gastrointestinal upset that lasts longer than a day
- Hives, swelling, or other signs of a mild allergic reaction
If your dog or cat experiences any of the above symptoms, take him to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Call your veterinarian and ask if they have any urgent-care appointments within a day or two.
Emergency Care Defined
Emergency care is when a pet needs immediate medical attention for a severe injury or condition. During an emergency, a pet’s health is at serious risk—and she needs intervention right away to prevent death or lasting harm. No matter what time of day or night, your pet needs a veterinarian immediately during an emergency.
Signs your pet needs emergency care include—but aren’t limited to—these symptoms:
- Extreme pain (as shown by whining, crying, or whimpering)
- Difficulty breathing
- Choking
- Ingestion of toxic substances or foreign objects
- Severe diarrhea and vomiting
- Unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Heavy bleeding
- Sudden blindness/difficulty seeing
Some situations are clear emergencies. For example, if your pet gets hit by a car, falls from a high place, or gets bit by another pet or a wild animal.
If you’re unsure whether your pet needs emergency care, call your pet’s veterinarian or the closest 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital. Some veterinarians provide emergency care during their normal business hours. Others don’t, and they’ll refer you to a veterinarian who does. If an emergency strikes after hours, head straight for the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
Emergency Care at Western Veterinary Center
At Western Veterinary Center, our doors are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency cases in Agoura Hills and the surrounding area. If you need an emergency vet, call us at
805-957-7387 and we’ll help you stabilize your pet enough to bring him in for immediate care. We have the skills and medical equipment to give your pet a fighting chance.