We are Here To Help!

When an emergency strikes, every minute counts. That’s why it’s worth knowing that top-tier veterinary emergency care is just a short drive from Columbia, MD.

Whether it’s a sudden illness, an accident, or anything in between, our experienced medical team is here for you and your pets 24/7, so they can get the attention they need, when they need it most.

Call us: 301.200.8185
Find us: 7331 Guilford Drive, Frederick, MD 21704
Just 41 miles from Columbia

Richmond
Call us: 804.206.9122
Find us: 1616 Three Chopt Road, Henrico, VA 23233

Our Triage Process

Order of treatment, or “triage,” dictates how patients are prioritized in an emergency room setting. Patients in level 1  will be treated first, followed by more stable patients. All emergency hospitals, both human and veterinary, follow this same approach to make sure all patients get the level of care they need as quickly as possible.

Level 1:

Resuscitation
Conditions that are threats to life or limb

Level 2:

Emergent
Conditions that are a potential threat to life, limb or function

Level 3:

Urgent
Serious conditions that require emergency intervention

Level 4:

Less Urgent
Conditions that relate to patient distress or potential complications that would benefit from intervention

Level 5:

Non-Urgent
Conditions that are non-urgent or that may be part of a chronic problem

Common Emergency Symptoms

Common medical emergencies can include trauma injuries, ingestion dangers, and unexplained symptoms.

  • Heat stroke
  • Near-drowning
  • Bite or sting of a venomous animal, such as a snake
  • Cats with open mouth-breathing
  • Trouble breathing/severe coughing
  • Trauma (e.g., traffic accidents, falls, lacerations, head trauma, eye trauma)
  • Blue, purple, or pale gums/tongue
  • Sepsis (severe systemic infection)
  • Bleeding disorders or severe bleeding
  • Fluid accumulation in the abdomen or chest
  • Adverse chemotherapy and other drug reactions
  • Possible toxin (poison) ingestion or exposure
  • Difficulty urinating, urinating blood, not able to urinate
  • Ingestion of a foreign object
  • Severe vomiting, diarrhea or unproductive retching
  • Seizures or tremors
  • Immune-mediated diseases
  • Burns and smoke inhalation
  • Sudden vision compromise or loss
  • Acute kidney failure
  • Heart failure
  • Liver failure
  • Diabetic emergencies
  • Deterioration of chronic conditions
  • Labor complications, neonatal emergencies
  • Allergic reactions – acute itching, hives, swelling
  • Sudden collapse, unresponsiveness