What to Do in a Pet Emergency
The process will be easier for both you and your pet if you know what to expect at our emergency pet hospital. Here are the steps you should follow:
STEP 1
Call Ahead if You Can
We understand that in an emergency, you may be unable to call us in advance, but it's always best if you can.
STEP 2
Get to Our Office Right Away
One of our team members will show you to an exam room. You'll be asked to complete our New Patient Form. A veterinary technician will triage your pet, then a veterinarian will perform a full exam.
STEP 3
Determine Treatment
Once your pet has been assessed, a highly trained emergency veterinarian will develop a treatment plan so your pet will receive the best possible treatment. We will keep your primary care veterinarian updated with your pet's medical history to ensure seamless, integrated care that meets your pet's needs.
Animal Emergency Clinic FAQs
Emergency veterinary care involves the treatment of animals in situations that require immediate medical attention or could potentially be life-threatening.
- What is considered an emergency?
These situations 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 clinic straight away.
- Obvious signs of extreme anxiety or pain
- Bleeding that hasn't stopped, or severe bleeding
- Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Pain associated with passing feces or urinating, or an inability to pass feces or urinate
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in their urine
- Staggering and/or seizures
- Severe lameness, fractured bones, or inability to move legs
- You believe your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; more than two episodes in 24 hours
- Heatstroke or heat stress
- Unconsciousness
- What emergency services do you offer?
At our emergency clinic, we offer state-of-the-art emergency care for cats and dogs in the Visalia area. We are equipped to provide specialized diagnostics, a complete range of surgical services, and hospitalization.
- 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.
- When is your emergency clinic open?
Our emergency vet clinic in Visalia is open during these hours:
Monday: 5pm - 7:30am (close Tuesday at 7:30am)
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Opens at 5pm
Friday: 24 Hours
Saturday: 24 Hours
Sunday: 24 Hours (close Monday at 7:30am)
*Morning Discharges Mon.-Thurs 6:00am-7:30amOur services are also available on weekends and holidays.
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
A veterinary emergency hospital is very similar to a human emergency department — sometimes there may be a wait to see a vet.
We are not able to predict which cases we will see and when they will arrive, but we will prioritize cases based on medical needs.
You'll find a comfortable area for waiting, and we will do our best to keep you updated about wait times and the status of your pet.
- 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 emergency vets are equipped and qualified to provide attentive emergency care to cats and dogs from 5pm - 7:30am Monday to Thursday, and 24 hours from Friday through Sunday. We close Mondays at 7:30am.