Veterinary medicine is always evolving to meet the needs of the community. In recent years, urgent care veterinary clinics have started supplementing some of the care previously provided only by emergency hospitals. When your pet is sick or injured and you can’t get in to see their primary veterinarian, that’s when you turn to an urgent care clinic or emergency hospital. How do you know which one to choose? Generally, conditions that are life-threatening or require immediate hospitalization should go to the emergency hospital, while less severe illnesses and injuries that need same-day treatment can go to the urgent care clinic.
Assess your pet
You know your pet better than anyone and will be the first to notice when something isn’t right. Assess if your pet is experiencing a true emergency or if they are stable. You will likely recognize an emergency when you see it, but if you’re unsure, call us so we can help guide you to the appropriate care. Read on for some examples.
The following situations require an veterinary Urgent Care visit:
- Coughing or Sneezing
- Vomiting and Diarrhea (without lethargy)
- Fever
- Ocular Discharge or squinting
- Lameness, limping
- Loss of appetite
- Itching, skin rashes
- Minor bite wounds, lacerations
- Skin abscesses
- Anal gland issues
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Frequent or urgent urination (with or without blood in the urine)
- Back Pain
- Post-operative Incision issues
- Torn Nail, bleeding nail
- Ear infection
- Facial swelling
- Mild constipation
- Lumps and bumps
- Intestinal Parasites
- Vaccine Reactions or Allergic Reactions with facial swelling or hives
- Euthanasia
- Single Seizure Event
- Most Toxins
MVUCS, Urgent Care is open for your pet 365 days a year from 2:00pm to Midnight. If you need urgent pet care call us at 610-666-1050 to let us know you are on your way. Walk-ins are also welcome.
The following situations require veterinary Emergency Care:
- Vehicular trauma (hit by car)
- Pneumonia
- Kidney failure
- Severe lethargy
- Severe bite wounds or lacerations
- Anemia
- Sudden Collapse
- Multiple (Cluster) Seizures
- Difficulty or Labored Breathing
- Vomiting or diarrhea with significant lethargy
- Heat Stroke
- Unproductively straining to urinate
- Certain Toxins
- Lilies
- Tylenol
- Antifreeze
- Albuterol inhaler
- Antifreeze
- Dark chocolate (with hyperactivity or elevated HR)
MVA, Emergency Care is open for your pet 365 days a year 24/7. If you need emergency care call us at 610-666-1050.