What To Do In a Pet Emergency
It should be easier for both you and your pet if you know what to expect at our animal emergency clinic. Here are the steps you should take:
STEP 1
Call Ahead If Possible
We understand that in a vet emergency, you might not be able to call us in advance, however, it's always best if you do so. If you have time, you could also fill out our New Patient Form prior to your arrival.
STEP 2
Get To Our Office Right Away
A member of our team will show you to an examination room. If you haven't already, you will be asked to fill out our New Patient Form. A veterinary technician will triage your pet, then an emergency veterinarian will conduct a full exam.
STEP 3
Determine Treatment
Once your pet has been examined, our highly trained veterinarians will establish a treatment plan so your pet can receive the best treatment possible. We will keep your primary care veterinarian up to date with your pet's medical history to guarantee seamless, integrated care that meets your pet's requirements.
Animal Emergency FAQs
Emergency care at our pet hospital involves the treatment of pets in situations that need immediate medical attention, or could even be life-threatening.
- What is considered a veterinary emergency?
These situations are considered veterinary emergencies and will require immediate care. If your pet has been in an accident or is experiencing any of the symptoms below, bring them to our emergency vets in San Diego straight away.
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Obvious signs of extreme anxiety or pain
- Bleeding that hasn't stopped, or severe bleeding
- Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
- Pain associated with passing feces or urinating, or inability to pass feces or urinate
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in their urine
- Staggering and/or seizures
- Severe lameness, fractured bones, or inability to remove legs
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- You know or suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; more than two episodes in 24-hours
- Heatstroke or heat stress
- Unconsciousness
- What pet emergency services do you offer?
At our emergency pet clinic, we offer state-of-the-art emergency care for your pets. We are equipped to provide specialized diagnostics, a complete range of surgical services, and hospitalization.
- Do I need to call ahead?
If you are able to, it's always best to call us prior to your arrival, but we understand emergency situations can develop very quickly and that this is not always feasible.
If your situation does not provide you with time to call, please do not hesitate to bring your pet to our emergency clinic for immediate medical attention.
- When is your pet emergency clinic open?
Monday to Friday*: 5pm - 8am
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 24 Hours
*Our Clinic opens at 5pm to accept transfers from regular veterinary hospitals and start the check-in process, but our vets arrives on premises at 6pm. - How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
A veterinary emergency clinic is very similar to a human emergency office — the pace can be unpredictable and you might have to wait.
We are not able to predict which cases we will see and when they will arrive, but we will prioritize cases based on medical needs.
You'll find a comfortable waiting area, and we will do our best to keep you informed about wait times and the status of your pet.
- Will you keep in touch with our primary care veterinarian?
Yes, we will keep your primary care veterinarian updated with your pet's medical history and files to make sure your pet receives seamless integrated care.
Our Emergency Veterinarians
Our emergency veterinarians are qualified to provide personalized emergency care after hours when most primary care vets are closed.
Monday to Friday*: 5pm - 8am
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 24 Hours
*Our Clinic opens at 5pm to accept transfers from regular veterinary hospitals and start the check-in process, but our vets arrives on premises at 6pm.
Veterinary Emergency Cases We See Most Often
When your pet has an emergency, our vets at Animal Emergency Clinic of San Diego are ready to help in any situation. Our team is trained to assess and triage your pets’ medical needs and can provide your pet with life-saving measures when necessary. We see and treat a wide range of pet emergencies requiring immediate care, below is just a few of the many cases we are able to treat:
- Snakebite
- Pancreatitis
- GI Foreign Body
- Parvo Virus
- Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
- Splenic tumors
- Coyote/dog attacks
- And More...