To ensure your pet gets the right veterinary care, you need to understand the difference between an emergency and an urgent situation. Recognizing the distinction can help you respond appropriately, ensuring your pet receives the necessary care promptly. Our Livingston Veterinary Hospital team breaks down pets’ emergency versus urgent issue signs to guide you in making informed decisions about where to take your pet when the unexpected occurs. 

Veterinary emergency clinics

Veterinary emergency clinics are specialized facilities that provide critical care to cats, dogs, and sometimes exotic pets outside regular veterinary office hours. These clinics are equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by veterinarians and technicians trained in triage, emergency medicine, and surgery. They ensure rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment of acute injuries, illnesses, and life-threatening conditions.

Most emergency clinics have dedicated intensive care units and monitoring equipment for pets who need prolonged medical care. Along with stabilization, pets often require supportive care, including intravenous (IV) therapy, blood transfusions, and feeding tubes while they’re recovering. 

Understanding veterinary emergencies

An emergency is a situation in which your pet needs immediate medical attention to prevent serious harm or death. In these cases, delaying treatment can have severe consequences. Consider these common pet emergency signs:

  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Severe bleeding
  • Unresponsiveness
  • Seizures 
  • Poisoning
  • Trauma such as a vehicle accident or falling from a great height
  • Bone fractures
  • Birthing difficulties
  • Animal attack
  • Eye injury
  • Venomous snake bite
  • Vomiting and diarrhea that continues for 24 hours or more
  • Severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis
  • Straining to urinate or defecate
  • Hard, extended abdomen—bloat or gastric dilation volvulus

These situations are all emergencies. If your pet experiences any of these, they should immediately be treated by our Livingston Veterinary Hospital team or your nearest veterinary emergency hospital to potentially save their life. 

Urgent pet care clinics

Urgent care clinics provide essential medical services for pets requiring urgent attention to treat acute illnesses or injuries. These clinics bridge the gap between regular veterinary services and emergency veterinary hospitals, offering prompt care for non-life–threatening conditions that cannot wait for a scheduled appointment. Staffed by skilled veterinarians and equipped with diagnostic tools and treatment facilities, pet urgent care clinics handle various issues, from minor wounds and infections to sudden illnesses. These facilities also provide essential preventive care, including vaccines, blood testing, and parasite screening.

Understanding pet urgent care needs

Urgent situations, while not immediately life-threatening, still require prompt veterinary attention. Urgent conditions can escalate if not addressed in a timely manner. The following medical conditions indicate your pet needs urgent veterinary care:

  • Persistent vomiting or diarrhea 
  • Changes in eating or drinking habits
  • Lethargy
  • Slight limping
  • Minor wounds or abrasions
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Skin conditions
  • Minor allergies
  • Unexplained weight loss or gain

Is veterinary care needed?

Sometimes, you might intuitively feel something is off with your pet. Perhaps they have been less active, or their behavior has changed. You know your furry friend better than anyone, so when you believe they’re under the weather or their health or behavior has changed, your hunch may be the key to early diagnosis and successful treatment. Many pets will behave out of character when they are ill. Always trust your instincts regarding your four-legged friend’s well-being and schedule an appointment with our team if their health or behavior has changed. Behavior changes may include:

  • Hiding
  • Clinginess
  • Aggression
  • Irritability
  • Vocalization such as meowing or howling
  • Inappropriate elimination
  • Chronic licking and scratching

Knowing the difference between an emergency and an urgent situation can make a huge impact on your pet’s health. In an emergency, immediate action is required; whereas urgent situations require prompt—but not immediate—care. Always err on the side of caution and consult our Livingston Veterinary Hospital team if you are unsure about the severity of your pet’s condition. By staying informed and prepared, you can ensure your furry companion receives the best possible care in any situation.