During an emergency vet visit, time is of the essence. The focus is on rapidly assessing and stabilizing a dog’s or cat’s condition. Emergency vet clinics and 24/7 vet ERs are equipped to handle critical situations, offering specialized care that can make the difference between life and death. In this guide by Sploot Vets, we discuss what you can expect from an emergency vet visit—as well as a few helpful tips on being prepared for a pet emergency.
Emergency Vet Clinics vs 24/7 Vet ERs: Is the Process Different?
The process for emergency vet clinics and 24/7 vet ERs are relatively similar IF the emergency vet clinic is truly fully equipped for emergency cases (i.e. in-house laboratory, diagnostic imaging machines, and a surgical suite).
On the other hand, if the emergency vet clinic is NOT fully equipped, they may be more limited in their capacity, which affects the patient’s experience and continuity of care.
The main differences are availability and pricing. Many emergency vet clinics do NOT operate round the clock. However, since vet ERs operate for more extensive hours, they may also charge higher fees, regardless of the time the pet is brought in.
Note: At Sploot Vets, we offer emergency vet services within our extended clinic hours from 8 am to 8 pm, 365 days a year—with numerous state-of-the-art vet clinics in Denver and Chicago. If you need emergency care, call us at (720) 770 8656
Urgent Care vs Emergency Care
The processes for urgent care and emergency care are pretty similar—especially in terms of prioritization, quick diagnosis, and stabilization.
However, veterinary emergency cases may be more likely to result in hospitalization, depending on their severity. In addition, urgent care cases can escalate into emergency cases, especially with late intervention.
Emergency Vet Visit: What to Expect
1. Calling & Tele-Triage
Most emergency vet visits start with a phone call to check for availability, briefly discuss the situation, and let the vet clinic know that you’ll be bringing your pet.
Note: At Sploot Vets, we offer tele-triage, which offers a quick assessment of the case and automatically gives priority to your pet. This ensures swift care upon arrival, as the Sploot veterinary team will be standing by to receive the patient. If you need emergency care, call us at (720) 770 8656
2. Initial Assessment & Gathering Information
Upon arrival, the veterinary staff will perform a quick assessment to evaluate the severity of your dog’s or cat’s condition. The goal is to determine the urgency of the situation. This step helps the veterinarian decide the order of treatments and diagnostics.
The initial assessment may include checking the dog’s or cat’s vital signs:
- Heart rate
- Respiratory rate
- Temperature
- Blood pressure
The veterinary team will also gather as much information as possible from you about the incident. They may ask about:
- Your pet’s symptoms
- Any recent strange behavior
- Relevant medical history
- The packaging of the ingested substance (for poisoning cases)
Note: For poisoning cases, make sure to bring the packaging of the substance, if available—this helps veterinarians decide more quickly on the best course of action.
5. Diagnostic Tests
Once the immediate health risks are identified, the vet will proceed with diagnostics to understand the severity or scope of the emergency. Common diagnostic tools include:
- X-rays – to check for fractures, internal bleeding from physical trauma, ingested objects, or GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus).
- Ultrasound – to assess internal organs for issues like fluid buildup or organ damage.
- Blood tests – to check for infections, toxins, or organ function issues.
- Urinalysis – to check for kidney issues, dehydration, or toxins.
6. Stabilization and Treatment
The next step is stabilization and treatment. In most cases, stabilization occurs alongside diagnosis to help address critical symptoms quickly and make the pet more comfortable for further treatment.
Here are a few examples of the most common treatments administered for various pet emergencies:
- Dehydration in dogs or cats due to vomiting – anti-emetics, IV fluids, electrolytes, and monitoring
- Poisoning – inducing vomiting, activated charcoal, antidotes (if available), and oxygen therapy (if needed)
- Physical trauma – cauterization for severe bleeding, pain management, emergency surgery to repair internal damage, and antibiotics to prevent infections
- GDV – emergency surgery to treat GDV and prevent further instances of GDV
- Intestinal blockage – endoscopy or emergency surgery for the removal of the foreign body and antibiotics to prevent infection.
→ Learn more - Emergency Dog Vet: When to Seek Immediate Help for Your Pup
→ Learn more - Emergency Cat Vet Services: Top Reasons to Visit
7. Monitoring and Possible Hospitalization
After the initial treatment, your pet will be monitored for any changes in condition. Vets may monitor heart rate, oxygen levels, and pain responses. Some emergency visits result in overnight stays or hospitalization, especially if the pet requires close observation or ongoing treatment.
8. Discharge and Aftercare
If a pet is fit to go home, the vet will provide you with instructions for home care, which may include:
- Wound care
- Administering medications
- Restricting activity and limiting stress
- Special feeding instructions
- Separation from other pets while recovering
- Close monitoring for a set amount of time
They will also discuss follow-up care, which may involve returning for a recheck or ongoing treatments.
Final Thoughts on Being Prepared for Emergency Vet Visits
Being prepared for a pet emergency can make a big difference and result in better health outcomes for your pet. We recommend keeping a contact list of nearby vet clinics that accept emergency vet visits—as well as 24/7 vet ERs that can respond at any time.
When choosing emergency vet clinics, make sure that they are capable of providing top-tier care—with experienced medical teams and fully-equipped facilities. Note down these clinics, along with their addresses and hours of operation.
→ Learn more - Emergency Vet: 9 Vital Things to Look For
In addition, we also encourage pet parents to be aware of the financial aspect of veterinary emergencies. Emergency vet costs depend on the provider, the nature of the emergency, and whether or not hospitalization is needed.
→ Learn more - Understanding Emergency Vet Costs: What You Need to Know
Sploot Vets: Emergency Vet Visits, 365 Days a Year
Need an emergency vet visit? Sploot Veterinary Care is here for you, with availability 365 days a year for extended hours (8 am to 8 pm). Our vet clinics in Denver and Chicago are fully equipped to provide next-level, all-in-one care, including primary care, urgent care, and emergency vet services.
Get top-tier care from our experienced veterinarians and our modern clinics’ spacious exam rooms, in-house diagnostics, and dedicated surgical suites. We handle more than 95% of your pet’s healthcare needs, with rates up to 60% lower than that of 24/7 vet ERs.
Easily arrange an emergency vet visit at Sploot by calling us at (720) 770-8656.
