Ill or injured pets sometimes require immediate veterinary care to prevent serious complications or death, while other conditions are less emergent. The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital team wants your pet to live the longest, happiest, and healthiest life possible, and we explain the difference between emergency and urgent veterinary care.

Emergency veterinary care

Emergency veterinary medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating pets in life-threatening situations. These emergencies can range from accidents and injuries to sudden illnesses and chronic conditions that have taken a turn for the worse. Emergency veterinary care stabilizes your pet rapidly and effectively and alleviates their suffering. Examples of common pet emergencies include:

  • Trauma — Pets who sustain a serious trauma, such as being hit by a car or falling from a significant height, require emergency veterinary care. Your pet may seem OK, but they should still be evaluated to ensure they have no internal injuries.
  • Toxin exposure — Numerous foods, plants, medications, and household products are toxic to pets. If you know or suspect your pet ingested a toxin, they require emergency veterinary care.
  • Respiratory distress — A pet who is in respiratory distress should be evaluated by a veterinary professional as soon as possible. Signs include increased respiration rate and effort, open-mouthed breathing, exaggerated abdominal movement during breathing, extending their neck to breathe, noisy breathing, and pale or blue mucous membranes.
  • Excessive bleeding — Excessive bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop after being held with pressure for five minutes requires immediate veterinary care.
  • Collapse — Numerous issues can result in collapse or unconsciousness, and all require veterinary evaluation as quickly as possible. 
  • Heatstroke — Heatstroke is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to bodywide complications. Seek emergency veterinary care if your pet’s temperature rises to 105 degrees or higher.
  • Urethral blockage — Urethral blockage occurs most commonly in male cats and, if not resolved, can lead to death. Signs include vocalizing while trying to urinate, straining to urinate, and frequent trips to the litter box without producing urine. 
  • Seizure — If your pet has never previously experienced a seizure, they should be evaluated as soon as possible by a veterinary professional. If possible, video the episode to help with diagnosis. 

Urgent veterinary care

Urgent veterinary care refers to medical services that address acute illnesses or non-life-threatening injuries that need prompt attention. These are issues that need veterinary attention sometime that day but not as an emergency. Urgent care bridges the gap between routine veterinary visits and emergency care. Examples of common conditions that require urgent veterinary care include:

  • Minor injuries — Minor lacerations, puncture wounds, and burns should be evaluated on an urgent care basis to properly disinfect and bandage the wound. 
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) issues — Vomiting or diarrhea that persists for more than a few hours should be investigated by a veterinary professional.
  • Ear infections — Ear infections are painful and can lead to serious complications if not treated properly. Signs include head shaking, pawing at the ear, and ear discharge and odor.
  • Eye issues — Eye issues can escalate quickly, putting your pet’s vision at risk. Seek veterinary care if your pet is squinting or tearing, or has any visible eye changes such as eye redness or discharge.
  • Inappetence — Changes in your pet’s appetite can indicate a serious underlying health problem. Seek veterinary care if your pet refuses to eat or drink for more than 12 hours.
  • Behavioral changes — Behavioral changes, such as lethargy, confusion, and unusual aggression, indicate your pet needs prompt veterinary care.

If your pet is sick or injured, contact The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital team, so we can determine if they need immediate veterinary care or an appointment later that day. We also provide contact information for emergency centers in and around Dayton if your pet needs emergency or urgent veterinary care when our hospital is closed.