What To Do In A Vet Emergency
Knowing what to expect at our vet emergency clinic will help you and your pet. Here are the steps to take:
STEP 1
Call Ahead
It's always best to call us in advance so we can prepare for your arrival.
STEP 2
Get To Our Office Right Away
A member of our staff will direct you to an exam room. You'll be asked to fill out our New Patient Form. Your pet will be triaged before seeing a veterinarian.
STEP 3
Determine Treatment
After assessing your pet, our highly trained veterinarians will devise a treatment plan to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care. We will keep your primary care veterinarian up to date on your pet's medical history to ensure that your pet receives seamless, integrated care that meets his or her needs.
Animal Emergency FAQs
Emergency veterinary care is the treatment of animals in life-threatening situations that require immediate medical attention.
- What is considered an emergency?
These are emergencies that require immediate attention. Bring your pet to our emergency clinic if they've had an accident or show any of these symptoms.
- Obvious signs of extreme anxiety or pain
- Bleeding that hasn't stopped, or severe bleeding
- Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Pain associated with passing feces or urinating, or inability to pass feces or urinate
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
- Staggering and/or seizures
- Severe lameness, fractured bones, or inability to remove legs
- You know or suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; more than two episodes in 24-hours
- Heatstroke or heat stress
- Unconsciousness
Also, note that Bluegrass Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency is triaged. This means we will see patients based on the degree of urgency. If you bring in a non-emergency, you will have to wait. It's important to call ahead so we can assess your specific situation.
- What emergency services do you offer?
We provide cutting-edge emergency care for your four-legged family members at our emergency clinic. Specialized diagnostics, a full range of surgical services, and hospitalization are all available.
- Do I need to call ahead?
It always is best to call us ahead of time if you can so that we can assess your specific situation.
- When is your emergency clinic open?
We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
A veterinary emergency hospital is similar to a human emergency department in that the pace can be unpredictable and you may be required to wait.
We can't predict which cases we'll see or when they'll arrive, but we'll prioritize them based on medical needs.
You'll find a comfortable waiting area, and we'll do our best to keep you informed about wait times and your pet's status.
- Will you keep in touch with our primary care veterinarian?
Yes, we will keep your primary care veterinarian informed of your pet's medical history and files in order to ensure seamless, integrated care for your pet.
Our Emergency Veterinarians in Lexington
Our emergency veterinarians are equipped and qualified to provide attentive emergency care 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.