In every pet owner’s life, there will come a time when your pet needs to see a veterinarian. Of course, the right place to go depends on your pet’s condition and the level of care needed. At Partner Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center, we want to be sure you know when to visit your primary veterinarian versus when it might be time to see us.
Time to visit your Primary Care Veterinarian
Hopefully, your pet is already established with a primary veterinarian for wellness exams, routine vaccinations, preventative care, and the like. Here are some other situations your primary vet can help you with…
- Spay/Neuter
- Dental Care
- Examination, diagnostics, and treatment for sick or injured pet
- Diagnosis and management of chronic diseases
- Treatment of common illnesses
- Flea and tick control
- End-of-life care and euthanasia
If you haven’t secured a primary veterinarian, take time to ask your family, friends, and neighbors for recommendations.
Time to visit Urgent Care
If your pet is suffering from something that seems more urgent and your primary vet is either fully booked or closed, then it might be time to visit a veterinary urgent care facility. Conditions that might warrant this are…
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Urinary issues or urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Ear infections
- Eye issues (redness, irritation, infections, etc.)
- Coughing and Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Accidental/toxin ingestions (e.g., chocolate)
- Rashed and other skin issues
- Limping/lameness and broken nails
- Lumps and bumps
- Minor wounds
In the event of one of these ailments, it’s best to call your primary vet or emergency hospital before arriving so they can help determine the level of care your pet might need.
Time to visit Emergency Care
As we mentioned in our previous blog—Pet Emergencies, Are You Ready?—some situations are unmistakable, such as gasping for air, profuse bleeding, or experiencing seizures or tremors, and these scenarios clearly demand immediate attention.
Other symptoms that warrant emergency care are…
- Heat Stroke
- Near-drowning
- Bit or sting of a venomous animal, such as a snake
- Trauma (traffic accidents, falls, lacerations, head trauma, eye trauma)
- Blue, purple, or pale gums/tongue
- Sepsis (severe systemic infection)
- Ingestion of a foreign object
- Severe vomiting, diarrhea, or unproductive retching
- Sudden vision compromise or loss
- Diabetic emergencies
- Labor complications, neonatal emergencies
- Sudden collapse, unresponsiveness
While we all hope our pets won’t ever need urgent or emergency care, it’s very important to be ready and know where to go. We hope this helps if that time comes.
Should you find yourself in a veterinary emergency, we can help!
Call our Frederick location at 301.200.8185
Call our Richmond location at 804.206.9122