When Is It an Emergency?

You’re never wrong to call

If you’re concerned about your pet, please feel free to call the office anytime day or night. We understand that there will be times when you need to talk to Dr. Salinger or Dr. Paulic after hours. All you need to do is call the main clinic phone number. The answering service operator will then page the Doctor on call, and they will return your call as soon as possible.

We offer this service to our clients because you know your pet better than anyone else. If you notice your pet is acting strange, or if something just doesn’t seem right, you may have picked up on a subtle sign of a real problem. Even if you find out nothing’s wrong, we are happy to put your mind at ease. In the event that your pet does require immediate care, we will guide you to that care.

Definite Emergencies

If you notice any of the following problems, please seek immediate veterinary care.

• Your pet has experienced some kind of trauma, such as being hit by a car or a blunt object or falling more than a few feet.
• Your pet isn’t breathing or you can’t feel a heartbeat.
• Your pet is unconscious and won’t wake up.
• Your pet has been vomiting or has had diarrhea for more than 24 hours, or she is vomiting blood.
• You suspect any broken bones.
• Your pet is having trouble breathing or has something stuck in her throat.
• Your pet has had or is having a seizure.
• Your pet is bleeding from the eyes, nose, or mouth, or there is blood in her urine or feces.
• You think your pet might have ingested something toxic, such as antifreeze, rat poison, any kind of medication that wasn’t prescribed to her, or household cleansers.
• Your pet, particularly your male cat, is straining to urinate, or is unable to.
• Your pet shows signs of extreme pain, such as whining, shaking, and refusing to socialize.
• Your pet collapses or suddenly can’t stand up.
• Your pet begins bumping into things or suddenly becomes disoriented.
• You can see irritation or injury to your pet’s eyes, or she suddenly seems to become blind.
• Your pet’s abdomen is swollen and hard to the touch, and/or she’s gagging and trying to vomit.
• You see symptoms of heatstroke.
• Your pregnant dog or cat has gone more than three to four hours between delivering puppies or kittens.