Urgent Care

Same day medical attention with clear communication, steady monitoring, and compassionate care.

When your pet needs sameday medical attention, our Urgent Care team is here to help. We know unexpected illness or injury can be stressful, so we’ve designed our Urgent Care process to be clear, calm, and supportive from the moment you arrive.

Is This Urgent?

When your pet isn’t feeling well, it can be hard to know whether they need Urgent Care today or whether it’s safe to monitor at home. This quick guide can help you decide what to do next — and when to contact us right away.

Urgent Care is designed for same-day medical needs that are important, but not immediately life-threatening. If your pet is stable, we can often help them quickly and efficiently through our Urgent Care process.

Contact Us for Urgent Care Today if your pet has:

Vomiting or diarrhea (especially more than once)
Not eating for 24+ hours
Limping or favoring a leg
Ear infections (redness, odor, head shaking)
Eye squinting, redness, or discharge
Coughing or sneezing
Skin infections, hot spots, or rashes
Painful behavior (crying, hiding, trembling, reluctance to move)
Urinary accidents or straining
Mild lethargy
Minor wounds
Insect bites or allergic reactions without breathing issues

If you’re unsure, text us — we’ll help you decide the safest next step.

Seek Emergency Care Immediately if your pet has:

These symptoms require immediate medical attention at an emergency hospital.

Trouble breathing
Collapse or inability to stand
Seizures
Severe bleeding
Hit by a car
Ingestion of a toxin
Severe abdominal pain
Unresponsive or extremely lethargic
Unable to urinate (especially male cats)
Heatstroke symptoms
Snakebite

Emergency Hospitals

Symptom Based Q&A

My dog is vomiting — do we need urgent care?

If vomiting happens more than once, your dog isn’t eating, or seems uncomfortable, contact us for Urgent Care today. If it’s a single episode and your dog seems normal afterward, you can monitor — but text us if symptoms return.

My cat hasn’t eaten — is this an emergency?

Cats should never go more than 24 hours without eating. If your cat skips meals, seems
nauseous, or is hiding, contact us for Urgent Care today. If your cat is lethargic,
vomiting, or breathing oddly, go to an emergency hospital.

My pet is limping — should we come in?

Limping almost always requires sameday evaluation. Contact us for Urgent Care unless
your pet cannot stand or walk — in that case, go to an emergency hospital.

My dog has diarrhea — do we need to be seen?

If diarrhea happens more than once, contains blood, or is paired with vomiting or lethargy, contact us for Urgent Care today.

My pet is shaking or acting painful — what should we do?

Painful behavior should always be evaluated sameday. Urgent Care is appropriate unless your pet is crying nonstop or has severe abdominal pain — those require emergency care.

My dog is coughing — is this urgent?

Persistent or worsening coughing should be evaluated today. If your dog is struggling to
breathe, go to an emergency hospital immediately.

My cat is straining to urinate — what should we do?

This is an emergency — especially for male cats. Go directly to an emergency hospital.

My pet has an ear infection — can this wait?

Ear infections worsen quickly. Contact us for Urgent Care today.

My pet has a small wound — do we need urgent care?

Yes — wounds should be evaluated sameday. Urgent Care is appropriate unless the wound is large or bleeding heavily — those require emergency care.

My pet ate something weird — what should we do?

If your pet ate a toxin, medication, foreign object, or unknown substance, this is an emergency. Go directly to an emergency hospital.

My pet seems ‘off’ — should we come in?

Behavior changes can be early signs of illness or pain. Urgent Care is often the safest choice — text us and we’ll guide you.

Urgent Care vs Day Admission: What’s the Difference?

Both services provide sameday medical attention, but they work differently behind the
scenes. Please see below for an comparison.

Urgent Care

Someday only
Immediate triage in an exam room
Emergent pets stay with you
Stable pets move to the Intermediate Care Ward
You wait in the lobby or nearby (after 6 PM, you must remain onsite)
Sick Visit Form required
$175 nonrefundable deposit at booking

Day Admission

Prescheduled or sameday (if available)
Admitted immediately to the Intermediate Care Ward
Emergent pets roomed right away
You may leave after drop off
Sick Visit OR Wellness Form required
$175 deposit at admission

Not sure which one?

If You Decline Urgent Care

If you decline Urgent Care but request to be “worked in” when no appointments are available, we will do our best to help, but please expect significant wait times due to the existing caseload.

How to Prepare For Your Visit

Preparing for your pet’s visit helps us work efficiently and keeps your pet as comfortable as
possible. A few simple steps can make the day smoother for everyone.

Please bring your pet on a secure leash or in a carrier.
If your pet is anxious, let us know — we can help with gentle handling or calming strategies.
Bring any medications your pet is currently taking, including any over-the-counter supplements.
If your pet has records or lab work from elsewhere, please text/email them to us before your visit.
Avoid feeding your pet right before the appointment unless medically necessary.
For Urgent Care, complete any required forms (we’ll text them to you).

If you have questions before your visit, just text us — we’re here to help you feel prepared and supported.

When You Arrive

Urgent Care visits are seen same day only. When you arrive:

You and your pet will be brought into an exam room as soon as one is available.
A technician will perform a triage assessment to understand your pet’s condition.
Emergent pets are treated immediately — either in the exam room or in our treatment area.
Stable pets move to our Intermediate Care Ward for diagnostics and treatment.

This allows our team to work efficiently while keeping your pet closely monitored.

Where You’ll Wait

To keep exam rooms available for pets who need hands-on care:

Before 6 PM

Once we confirm your phone number, you’re welcome to wait in the lobby or step out nearby.

After 6 PM

For safety and timely communication, all Urgent Care clients must remain on-site for the duration of the visit.

Forms & Communication

To help us care for your pet efficiently:

Diagnostics & Treatment

Once triage is complete, the doctor will:

Urgent Care timing varies based on triage level and caseload, but we’ll communicate clearly so you know what to expect.

How Long It May Take

Urgent Care visits can vary widely depending on:

We’ll give you realistic expectations early and keep you updated as your pet moves through each step.

Discharge & Next Steps

When your pet is ready to go home:

Our goal is to make a stressful day feel as calm and manageable as possible.

Urgent Care Deposit

To reserve your Urgent Care slot, a $175 nonrefundable deposit is required at booking. This deposit is applied directly to your invoice at the time of your visit and helps us protect same‑day availability for pets who truly need it.

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Urgent Care visits can feel stressful, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. If you have questions about your pet’s symptoms, what to expect during your visit, or how our Urgent Care process works, our team is here to guide you with clarity, calm communication, and support.