Emergency Veterinary Partners

Steps to Take In A Pet Emergency

If you are experiencing a veterinary emergency, follow the steps below.

• Call Ahead If Possible - Call one of the emergency animal hospitals listed above to let them know you are on the way.
• Follow Instructions Provided - When you call to let the emergency pet hospital know you are on your way, instructions may be provided to help you apply first aid or otherwise make your pet comfortable. Follow these instructions carefully.
• Remain Calm - Remain calm and be extra careful around your pet. When an animal is in pain they often react negatively towards anyone trying to help and could bite or scratch.
• Bring Your Pet In For Care - Do not put yourself at risk! Safely bring your pet to one of the emergency clinics listed above. 

Emergency FAQs

Read through our most frequently asked questions below to learn more about bringing your pet in for an emergency appointment.

Rocklin Road Animal Hospital is unable to take emergency appointments at this time. Please call one of the clinics listed above for further instructions. 

• Do I need to call ahead?

  It is best to call ahead whenever possible to let the emergency animal clinic know you are coming. They will be able to provide additional instructions to help you provide first aid or make your pet more comfortable. 

• What situations require emergency vet care?

  The following situations are examples of emergencies that require immediate care:

  • Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
  • Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
  • Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
  • Fractured bones or severe lameness
  • Seizures and/or staggering
  • Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
  • Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea; 2+ episodes in 24-hours
  • Injuries to the eye(s)
  • Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
  • Heat stress or heatstroke
  • Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
  • Unconsciousness
• How long will we have to wait to see the vet?

  Just like human emergency rooms, wait times can be for animal emergency clinics can be unpredictable. Cases are generally prioritized based on medical needs.

  If possible, call the clinic ahead of time to let them know you are on your way. 

• What happens if my pet needs to stay in the hospital?

  Some veterinary emergencies require intensive overnight care. If your pet requires overnight care the emergency veterinarian caring for your animal will be able to advise you about suitable overnight arrangements.