Urgent Care
The Veterinary Medical Center is pleased to introduce its new Urgent Care Service!
Recognized and respected for its world-class, comprehensive specialty and emergency care, the VMC now offers new convenient hours for companion animals needing to see a veterinarian after normal office hours but not requiring a visit to the emergency room. While we will have a team of skilled medical professionals who will work together to direct you and your pet to the appropriate service, noting certain symptoms will make one or the other the best choice.
How do I know if my pet should see the Urgent Care Service?
Our experienced Urgent Care clinicians are highly qualified to provide out-patient care for companion animals that need to be treated right away but are not emergencies. Our convenient Urgent Care hours will provide owners peace of mind, rather than having to worry about their pet’s condition through the night or weekend, when your veterinarian may not be able to see them.
Typical conditions seen by Urgent Care include, but are not limited to the following:
- Eyes: swelling, discharge, redness
- Nose: running, crusting, discharge
- Ears: discharge, debris, odor, twitching, scratching, shaking
- Coughing or sneezing
- Vomiting (minor or occasional)
- Diarrhea
- Straining to have a bowel movement
- Change in urine color, frequency, or amount
- Straining to urinate, dribbling urine
- Change in amount of food or water intake
- Change in behavior (depression, anxiety, sleepiness)
- Evidence of worms or fleas
- Wounds or bite marks (minor)
- Lumps
- Facial swelling, licking, or scratching
How do I know if my pet should see the Emergency Service?
Our highly skilled ER team is well prepared to provide life-or-limb-saving care for companion animals. Patients requiring emergency care have a high likelihood of needing to be admitted to the hospital for intensive care and may require the involvement of other veterinary specialists (e.g. surgery, critical care, cardiology, etc.).
Conditions considered to be medical emergencies include, but are not limited to the following:
- Trauma (e.g. hit by car, falls, gunshot)
- Head or eye injuries
- Irregular breathing, shortness of breath, prolonged or heavy panting
- Severe or sudden onset of pain
- Weakness or paralysis
- Blood loss
- Broken bones
- Open wounds
- Repeated vomiting, especially with possible exposure to toxins
- Possibility of having eaten a foreign body (e.g. toy, sock, etc.)
- Diarrhea of sufficient intensity or duration to cause dehydration
- Hyper- or hypothermia (heat stroke or frostbite)
- High fever
- Serious burns
- Seizures or other neurologic signs
- Inability to urinate or defecate
What if I am still not sure what service to ask for?
The good news is that the VMC’s Urgent Care Service and Emergency Service operate within the same conveniently located, state-of-the-art facility! Our team of skilled medical professionals will work together to help ensure your pet receives the appropriate level of care.
Important - A patient seen by Urgent Care requiring emergency care will be transferred immediately to the Emergency Service.
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