Veterinarian Service

Emergency and Urgent Care Veterinary Service in Richmond, VA

If you believe your pet requires emergency care during normal business hours, please contact us immediately.

Pet emergency & urgent care img

Emergency and Urgent Care

Pets, like people, can sustain injuries and accidents that necessitate immediate medical attention. However, it can be difficult to determine whether your pet is suffering from a trauma that necessitates an urgent care visit or if its symptoms are those of something less serious. If you’re not sure whether your pet requires veterinary services in Richmond, here are some of the most common reasons.

Breathing Problems

It can be terrifying for both you and your pet to see your pet struggle to breathe. If your pet is having trouble breathing, it means there is something wrong, and it is most likely an emergency. Breathing problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including heart failure, an allergic reaction, a lung blockage, and a variety of other serious issues. In this case, you should seek emergency pet services as soon as possible.

Seizures
If your pet has had seizures in the past or is having their first, you should take them to an animal hospital as soon as possible for emergency veterinary services. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can occur alone or in groups, but in either case, there are a number of things that can cause your pet to have seizures, so it’s critical that you seek medical attention for them as soon as possible.
Trauma

Your pet can suffer from a variety of types of trauma. If your pet has been injured or damaged by a strike or blow, such as being hit by a car, it should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you are unsure how to transport your pet to the animal hospital after trauma, or if you have questions about what to do during transportation, such as covering a wound or bracing a broken bone, contact your veterinarian while you are on the way or just before going to the emergency room.

If you notice your pet acting strangely or withdrawing from you, such as suddenly fatigued, it is critical that you take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Many injuries and illnesses do not show symptoms right away, such as if your pet ate something toxic, so it is best to take them in for an exam at the first sign of anything unusual in their behavior.

Foreign Body
Pets eat the most unusual foods. Unfortunately, these things can frequently cause obstructions (blockages) in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention. Common symptoms include (but are not limited to) acute vomiting, defecation straining, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Urinary Emergency
If your pet is straining to urinate and not producing any urine they need to be seen by a veterinarian. Urethral obstruction tends to be most common in male cats. Other clinical signs include straining to urinate and only producing small amounts, blood in the urine, vomiting, anorexia and lethargy (or a decrease in energy).