March 29

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Urgent Care for Pets:

When You Need the ER and When You Don't

Diarrhea. Skin rash. Bleeding. What constitutes a pet emergency? Navigating pet emergencies can be tricky. While it may feel like your pet is experiencing an emergency, it may not be, especially one requiring a midnight trip to the ER. That's where urgent care for pets comes in. In this blog, we'll explain the difference between urgent care and emergency care for pets to help you navigate what to do in a pet emergency.  

Urgent Care for Pets

What is the difference between urgent care and emergency care for pets? Urgent care is provided for non-life-threatening issues, while emergency care is necessary for life-threatening situations. 

Urgent Care

Common urgent care issues for pets include, but are not limited to:

  • Vomiting/diarrhea lasting over 24 hours but no severe dehydration
  • Minor wounds or lacerations that aren't actively bleeding
  • Sudden but non-severe limping or minor injuries
  • Mild allergic reactions (swelling, minor hives)
  • Ear infections (head shaking, odor, discharge)
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Coughing that persists but no respiratory distress
  • Sudden changes in appetite or drinking habits
  • Fever without other emergency signs
Common urgent care for pets issues.

Although they are non-life threatening, these issues often require your pet to be seen sooner rather than later, just not immediately.

In addition, not all medical issues require even urgent care. Minor concerns like mild skin irritations or occasional vomiting can often wait for a scheduled vet visit. If you're unsure, call your veterinarian. 

Emergency Care

Apart from the situations listed above, there are times when you may need to take your pet to the ER. 

Common emergency care issues for pets include, but are not limited to: 

  • Trauma (hit by a car, fall, bite wounds, burns)
  • Unconsciousness
  • Severe bleeding or bleeding that lasts longer than 5 minutes
  • Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum - coughing up blood or blood in urine
  • Choking, difficulty breathing, or non-stop coughing and gagging
  • Inability to urinate or pass feces (stool) or pain with doing so
  • Injury to eyes
  • Suspect your pet ate something poisonous (Learn more about common pet poisons in our blog here.)
  • Seizures and/or staggering
  • Fractured or broken bones, severe lameness, or inability to move leg(s)
  • Heat Stroke (signs include excessive panting, collapse, and vomiting)
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea - more than two episodes in 24 hours
  • Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
  • Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
Common issues requiring emergency care for pets.

There are times when a pet ER is necessary - even in the middle of the night, such as if your pet is unconscious, bleeding profusely, or starts seizing repeatedly. These conditions and those listed above should send you to the ER no matter the time of day. 

The reality, though, is that in the ER, pets are triaged based on the severity of their condition, just like when we go to the ER. For example, if your dog has diarrhea, you'll likely face a longer wait time. On the other hand, if your dog is having a seizure, was hit by a car, or has a severe injury to the eye, they'll get in immediately. Expect a wait for less critical issues like ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, or skin infections, which is why an urgent care or scheduled vet visit makes sense. 

Urgent Care at Buddy's Vets 

The nearest pet ER is about 30 minutes from our location, but that doesn't mean you don't have access to urgent care. At Buddy's Vets, we provide urgent care for pets during our normal business hours and on dedicated Urgent Care days. 

At Buddy's Vets, we provide urgent care for pets.

Buddy's Vets provides urgent care for pets. 

A Member of Buddy’s Team

If we've seen your pet within the last year, it becomes a member of Buddy's Team, and your pet has access to us for the next 12 months. Being a member of our team also means there is an established valid client-patient relationship with your pet.

Wisconsin requires a valid client-patient relationship (VCPR) for telemedicine or phone and email triage. A VCPR is when a veterinarian physically examines your pet within the past year. Without this, we can't provide telehealth or remote care.

As a Member of Buddy's Team, Your Pet Gets:

  • Same-day or next-day care during normal business hours.

  • Triage Support via email and phone with an available nurse to assess your pet's condition on non-business days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).

  • Emergency Evaluation: If your dog has diarrhea on Friday morning, we'll help determine whether it's an emergency.
  • On-Call Support: Our team includes Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVTs) who often handle on-call triage.
  • Personalized Care Recommendations: After assessment, we can advise on necessary treatment and prescribe medications, food, or other remedies. We may recommend a telemedicine call or an in-person visit.

Even if you aren't a member of Buddy's Team, we'll still see your pet. But if you are, that means you have access to us outside of normal business hours, and we can save you time and money from having to take your pet to the ER. 

Handling Pet Emergencies

Should you find yourself in an emergency with your pet and can't get them to an urgent care or ER, what can you do to help your pet? First, stay calm and assess your pet's condition. Are they breathing? Conscious? Bleeding? If unsure, always call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic for guidance. Keeping a list of important phone numbers, including your veterinarian, a nearby 24/7 ER, and a poison control hotline can save valuable time. 

TIP: Program them into your phone and mark them as favorites so they're easy to find. 

Regardless if your pet needs urgent or emergency care, it's essential to have a pet first aid kit on hand with at least the following:

  • Gauze and bandages
  • Antiseptic wipes or solution
  • Styptic powder or cornstarch 
  • Digital thermometer
  • Benadryl
Urgent care for pets - having a pet first aid kit can help things until you can get to a vet.

Having a first aid kit and emergency numbers handy can help prepare you when an emergency strikes with your pet.  

Want to learn more about how to handle pet emergencies? Check out our segment from Local 5 Live on emergency care.

Not Always an Urgent Matter

Yes, it's true - it's not always an urgent matter, so understanding the difference between urgent care for pets and emergency care is critical. 

You know your pet better than anyone, and at the end of the day, it's about peace of mind. If you're concerned about your pet, your vet will be too. Stay consistent with regular check-ups to maintain established care when issues arise. 

When you trust your pet with Buddy's Vets, you can feel secure that we are here for your pet. We are in your corner and ready to help you through any emergency with your pet. 

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