When your furry family member isn’t feeling well, it can be challenging to determine just how serious the situation is. Should you wait until morning to visit your regular vet? Is this a true emergency requiring immediate attention? Or is an urgent care visit the ideal middle ground? At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, we understand making this decision can be stressful, so we’ve created this guide to help you navigate these difficult choices.
As pet parents ourselves, we know there’s nothing more worrying than seeing your pet in distress. Our UC Davis-trained veterinarians are here to help you make the best decisions for your pet’s health, whether that means an urgent care visit or emergency services.
Understanding the Difference Between Urgent Care and Emergency Care
The veterinary landscape has evolved to offer multiple levels of care similar to human healthcare. From regular visits to urgent care services and emergencies, understanding these different treatment options can help you make informed decisions when your pet needs medical attention.
Regular Veterinary Care
Your primary veterinarian provides preventative care, wellness exams, vaccinations, and treatment for minor illnesses during standard business hours. These appointments are typically scheduled days or weeks in advance and are ideal for routine health maintenance and non-urgent concerns.
Urgent Care Services
Veterinary urgent care fills an important gap in the care continuum. These services are designed for medical situations that:
- Require attention sooner than you can get a regular appointment
- Need prompt treatment, but it isn’t immediately life-threatening
- Occur outside regular business hours but don’t warrant emergency fees
- Cause discomfort or concern, but aren’t causing severe distress
Urgent care clinics typically offer extended evening and weekend hours when regular veterinary offices are closed. The wait times are often shorter than at emergency facilities, and the cost is usually significantly lower than emergency care.
Emergency Veterinary Care
Emergency veterinary hospitals are equipped to handle critical, life-threatening situations and are open 24/7, including holidays. These facilities are often equipped with the following services:
- Advanced monitoring equipment
- Surgical suites ready for immediate use
- Blood transfusion capabilities
- Critical care specialists
- In-house laboratories for immediate diagnostics
- Oxygen therapy and ventilator support
Similar to human emergency rooms, emergency hospitals prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition rather than arrival time. This means the most critical patients receive immediate attention, while stable patients may experience longer wait times.
When to Choose Urgent Care for Your Pet
Urgent care is appropriate for conditions that need attention within 24 hours but don’t pose an immediate threat to your pet’s life. Some situations where urgent care may be appropriate include:
- Mild to moderate vomiting or diarrhea
- Minor wounds or cuts
- Limping or lameness that isn’t severe
- Ear infections or skin issues
- Urinary issues without complete blockage
- Allergic reactions without breathing difficulties
- Eye irritation without severe pain or vision loss
At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, we’re proud to offer urgent care services to help address these types of concerns when they arise outside regular business hours.
When Emergency Care Is Necessary
Some situations simply can’t wait and require immediate emergency attention. If you notice any of these signs, please seek emergency veterinary care right away:
- Difficulty breathing or choking
- Severe bleeding or open wounds
- Suspected fractures or inability to use a limb
- Seizures or collapse
- Inability to urinate (especially in male cats)
- Ingestion of toxic substances
- Severe pain or distress
- Heatstroke symptoms
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood
- Bloated, hard abdomen
When facing a true emergency, minutes matter. Don’t hesitate to seek emergency care if you believe your pet’s life could be at risk.
Benefits of Choosing Broadway Veterinary Hospital for Urgent and Emergency Care
It is estimated one in three pets require urgent or emergency treatment every year. When this happens, you want experienced professionals with advanced training. At Broadway Veterinary Hospital, our team includes UC Davis graduates with extensive experience in emergency medicine and surgery. Our veterinarians, including Dr. Sam, Dr. Tyler, Dr. Sasha, and Dr. Pietro, bring specialized skills to every case.
We pride ourselves on our orthopedic expertise, and under the guidance of Dr. Tyler, we perform advanced procedures, including TPLOs for cruciate tears, MPL repairs for dislocating knee caps, and fracture repairs for broken bones. Our investment in cutting-edge technology allows us to provide superior diagnostic and treatment options when your pet needs them most.
Perhaps most importantly, choosing our hospital means your pet will be treated by compassionate professionals who understand pets are family members. We approach each case with the care and attention we would want for our own pets.
Making the Right Decision for Your Pet at Broadway Veterinary Hospital
If you’re unsure whether your pet’s condition requires urgent or emergency care, we recommend calling us first. Our knowledgeable staff can help assess your pet’s symptoms and guide you to the appropriate level of care. Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Pet parents rarely regret seeking care too soon, but delays in treatment can sometimes lead to more serious complications.
Broadway Veterinary Hospital is committed to providing exceptional care with a family-owned feel. Our team of UC Davis graduates specializes in orthopedic procedures, emergency medicine, and advanced surgical techniques, ensuring your pet receives top-quality care during urgent and emergency situations. If your pet needs urgent or emergency care, contact Broadway Veterinary Hospital at (916) 446-6154 or visit our contact form to learn more about our services.
