When your pet is unwell, injured, or simply seems off, it can be hard to determine whether it needs immediate medical attention. Some signs, like bleeding, open wounds, or constant vomiting, are obvious, but not all conditions are so easy to recognize.
It’s not always easy to define, but in general, emergency care is needed for life-threatening injuries or illnesses that require immediate hospitalization. Urgent care, on the other hand, is for situations that fall between emergency care and regular vet visits—when you know something’s wrong with your pet and it needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible.
If you’re ever unsure about whether your pet needs urgent or emergency care, don’t hesitate to reach out to us—we’re here to help you decide. In the meantime, take a look at this list of common pet ailments to help guide your decision.
Urgent care should be sought for issues that require prompt medical attention but aren’t life-threatening. These can include:
The clear rule is that if your pet is facing a life-threatening crisis that demands immediate hospitalization, they require emergency care:
