What To Do In A Pet Emergency
If you know what you can expect at our emergency veterinary clinic, the process will be easier for both you and your pet. Here are the steps to follow if you have an emergency:
STEP 1
Call Ahead If You Can
We understand that in an emergency, you won't be able to call us in advance, but it's always best if you can.
STEP 2
Get To Our Office Right Away
You'll be shown to an exam room by one of our team members. You'll be asked to complete our New Patient Form. A veterinary technician will triage your pet, then a veterinarian will conduct a full exam.
STEP 3
Determine Treatment
Once one of our highly trained emergency veterinarians has examined your pet, he or she will create a treatment plan, so your pet will receive the best possible treatment. We will update your primary care veterinarian on your pet's medical status and history to ensure your pet receives seamless, integrated care.
Animal Emergency Clinic FAQs
Any situation that requires immediate medical treatment, or could potentially be life-threatening for your pet will require emergency veterinary care.
- What is considered an animal emergency?
The scenarios listed below are considered emergencies and will require immediate care. If your pet has had an accident or is experiencing any of these symptoms, bring them to our emergency office straight away.
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Severe lameness, fractured bones or inability to move legs
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Bleeding that hasn't stopped, or severe bleeding
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in urine
- Choking, difficulty breathing or continuous coughing/gagging
- Pain associated with passing feces or urinating, or inability to pass feces or urinate
- Staggering and/or seizures
- You know or suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Heatstroke or heat stress
- Obvious signs of extreme anxiety or pain
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; more than two episodes in 24-hours
- Unconsciousness
- What emergency services do you offer?
You can bring your four-legged family members to one of our two animal emergency clinic locations for state-of-the-art emergency care. We are equipped to provide specialized diagnostics.
We also offer emergency care for exotic pets at our O'Fallon location.
At our animal emergency clinics, we offer state-of-the-art emergency care for your four-legged family members. We are equipped to provide specialized diagnostics, surgical services (location-dependent), and hospitalization.
Surgical services for each location are as follows:
O'Fallon: Orthopedic; Ocular & Ophthalmology
O'Fallon & St. Louis: Soft Tissue - Do I need to call ahead?
If you can, it's always best to call us ahead of your arrival, but we understand emergency situations can develop very quickly and that this is not always possible.
If your situation does not allow time for you to call, please do not hesitate to bring your pet to our clinic for immediate veterinary medical attention.
It is always best to call us ahead if you can, but we understand that in emergency situations that's not always possible.
For exotic pets, please call ahead to ensure we are able to see your pet. Exotic pets should be brought into our clinic in a properly secured carrier.
- When is your animal emergency clinic open?
We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at our O'Fallon location.
Our hours at our Kirkwood location are:
- Monday: 9:00 am - 12:00 am
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 12:00 am
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 12:00 am
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 12:00 am
- Friday: 24 Hours
- Saturday: 24 Hours
- Sunday: 24 Hours
Please note: on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we offer extended hours from 9 am to midnight.
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
A veterinary emergency hospital is very similar to a human emergency department — the pace can be unpredictable, and you may have to wait.
We are not able to predict which cases we will see and when they will arrive, but we will prioritize cases based on medical need.
- Will you keep in touch with our primary care veterinarian?
Yes, we will keep your primary care veterinarian updated with your pet's medical history and files to ensure your pet receives seamless, integrated care.
Our Emergency Veterinarians
Our O'Fallon emergency veterinarians are equipped and qualified to provide attentive emergency care 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Please note our Kirkwood location has temporarily changed its hours to:
12pm-12am Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
9am-12am Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays