Pet Emergency and Urgent Care Services at DePorre Veterinary Hospital
If you need emergency pet care during our regular business hours, please call us at (248) 646-1669 immediately. Our veterinarians will help you decide where your pet's best care options will be found, either here or perhaps at an emergency vet clinic. We reserve openings for these emergencies on our schedule to help you and your pet when you need help!
What qualifies as an urgent care situation for pets?
Urgent care situations are anything where your pet isn't doing well and can't wait for the next regular appointment. The obvious things people think about are if your pet's not eating, experiencing a lot of vomiting, diarrhea, or significant GI issues. These definitely qualify for urgent care. However, if your pet is in a lot of discomfort, such as having a really bad ear infection and is clearly struggling, that could also be considered urgent. Additionally, issues like a bladder infection, changes in urination, drinking significantly more or less water can indicate something is wrong and require prompt attention. Eye issues, like squinting, rubbing, or significant discomfort, should also be seen sooner rather than later. It's a judgment call based on how well you know your pet and their condition.
How do you handle scheduling for urgent care appointments?
We have scheduled blocks for urgent care appointments that can't be booked until about 24 hours ahead of time. We encourage you to call, and typically one of our licensed technicians will help answer questions and determine, through conversation, if the situation is urgent or not and whether it can wait. If it's clear something is wrong, coming in for urgent care is warranted. Our technicians have a great knowledge base to help guide these decisions.
What symptoms should pet owners be particularly aware of?
Symptoms that warrant urgent care include not eating for more than 24 hours, changes in urination habits, vomiting, diarrhea, severe lethargy, and significant discomfort. If you feel the situation can't wait, we recommend coming in for an exam to determine the necessary level of testing.
How do you differentiate between urgent care and emergency situations?
An emergency is when your pet is not stable, and you aren't sure they can wait for an appointment and need to be seen immediately. This could be the middle of the night or a Sunday afternoon, and you should seek immediate care.
Emergency and Urgent Vet Care
Urgent care is for more stable patients who need to be seen soon but aren't in a crisis. If there's any question, we're happy to help determine if it sounds like your pet is stable and can come in for an urgent care appointment, usually the same day.
An emergency is when your pet is not stable, and you aren't sure they can wait for an appointment and need to be seen immediately. This could be the middle of the night or a Sunday afternoon, or after a traumatic event.
Pet emergencies come in many forms, but recognizing the signs is sometimes difficult. Dogs and cats are experts at hiding illness—it’s a natural instinct that would have protected them from looking vulnerable in the wild. However, living in the comfort of your home, this instinct no longer serves them as well. Luckily, there are signs you can look for that indicate an emergency.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it's time to seek emergency vet care:
- Blunt-force trauma (such as being hit by a car)
- Suspected fractures or broken bones
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive vomiting or diarrhea
- Blood in vomit, stool, or urine
- Sudden collapse or unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Difficulty urinating (especially in male cats)
- Signs of extreme pain such as decreased mobility or increased vocalizing
What should pet owners do if their pet's condition worsens while waiting for an urgent care appointment?
If your pet's condition worsens, call us, and we may ask you to come right over. It's helpful to call so we can ensure your pet doesn't need to go directly to emergency care. Most of the time, we would say to just come over, and we'll get you seen as soon as possible.
Can you describe the diagnostic and treatment capabilities you have for urgent care cases?
We perform all of our normal diagnostics and treatments, such as X-rays and in-house lab work. Many urgent care patients require more diagnostics, which we can run in-house for quicker results. We have a full in-house lab for urinalysis, ear cytologies, skin cytologies, full lab work, blood work, X-rays, and ultrasounds. Some patients may need hospitalization or surgery, which we can often facilitate.
Are follow-up appointments necessary after an urgent care visit?
Sometimes follow-up appointments are needed, depending on lab work or abnormalities found. We might schedule a normal follow-up exam within a week or a few days, depending on the situation. Follow-ups can be done with your regular veterinarian here, ensuring collaboration for the best care.
What is the most critical part of an urgent care exam?
The most critical part is a thorough, detailed physical exam from nose to tail. Depending on the issues, we might focus on specific areas. Based on this exam, the doctor may recommend specific testing to diagnose the problem and get on the right treatment plan.
Any significant change in behavior is also a sign that your pet needs to see the vet. While every instance may not be an emergency, it’s important to call us at (248) 646-1669 to get a professional assessment and determine whether you need to seek emergency vet care.
After-Hours Emergency Vet Clinics
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