Urgent & Emergency Care

Urgent veterinary care is for conditions that are serious, but not immediately life-threatening to your pet. Contact Stine Veterinary Hospital for urgent care by appointment.

Emergency veterinary care, on the other hand, is for conditions that need immediate treatment in order to save your pet's life. For emergencies, give us a call during business hours or call one of the emergency animal hospitals below.

Urgent conditions are those that are serious, but not life-threatening, while emergency conditions require immediate care to save the pet's life.

You can see more examples of emergency conditions in another FAQ section further down on this page.

Things like choking, broken bones, and severe bleeding are obvious emergencies and must be treated immediately by an emergency vet. When symptoms are less obvious, but still worrying, how do you make the call on whether they require urgent or emergency care? Here are a few things to consider when making your decision.

Monitor Your Pet's Symptoms

Keep a close eye on your pet and watch for changes in their symptoms. If they become worse over time, or if symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea show no signs of stopping, it's time for a trip to the emergency vet.

You Think Your Pet May Have Ingested Something Toxic

If you think your pet may have ingested something toxic, even if you're not sure, we recommend treating it as an emergency. If you're right, time is of the essence.

Err On the Side of Caution

If you really can't decide what's best, play it safe and take your pet to the emergency vet.

Call a Vet - We Can Help

Give us a call; we'll discuss your pet's condition and symptoms with you and help you decide if urgent or emergency care is best.

Consider Cost

Emergency veterinary care can be expensive, especially after hours. If (and only if) you determine that your pet's condition is stable enough to wait, urgent care may be a more affordable option.

Serious, but non-life-threatening conditions may require urgent care. Examples include:

• Abscesses
• Anal gland issues
• Back pain
• Difficulty walking
• Ear or eye infections
• Minor wounds & lacerations
• Limping or mild lameness
• Not eating or drinking
• Allergic reactions
• Upper respiratory infections
• Urinary tract issues
• Minor vomiting or diarrhea

Remember that any extreme examples of the above could be emergencies, and context is important. If you're not sure, contact us, or one of the emergency vets listed on this page. A veterinary professional can help you figure out if the situation is an emergency or not.

If your pet is acting lethargic, weak or listless, contact us, or one of the emergency vets listed on this page. Your pet may require emergency treatment.

Lethargy in dogs and cats can be the result of pain, infection, the ingestion of something toxic, or other life-threatening conditions that should be addressed quickly.

The following substances can be toxic if ingested by a dog or cat.

If you suspect your pet has consumed any of these foods or household products, visit an emergency vet straight away.

• Alcohol
• Antifreeze
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Cocoa mulch
• Fabric softener sheets
• Garlic
• Grapes and raisins
• Ice melting products
• Insecticides and pesticides (note that flea and tick products for dogs can be dangerous if used on cats or other animals)
• Lawn fertilizers and weed killers
• Liquid potpourri
• Macadamia nuts
• Marijuana
• Medicine intended for people or another pet
• Mothballs
• Onions
• Paints and solvents
• Rat and mouse bait
• Salt
• Salt dough Christmas tree ornaments and play dough
• Swimming pool chemicals
• Tobacco
• Various household cleaners (such as bleach and toilet bowl cleaners)
• Xylitol (a sweetener found in products such as some sugar-free products like gum and toothpaste)
• Yeast (for instance, in raw dough)

If your cat or dog is straining and pushing unproductively for more than 20-30 minutes, contact us, or one of the emergency vets listed on this page. It could be a sign of complications, and your pet and their babies may be at risk.