Urgent & Emergency Veterinary Care

What is Urgent Care?

When your pet is unwell, injured, or displaying unusual or concerning behavior, it can be difficult to determine whether you need to seek immediate emergency veterinary care or if you can schedule an urgent care visit with your primary care vet.

Urgent care differs from emergency care in that it focuses on serious but non-life-threatening conditions. While these conditions likely need prompt attention, they do not require immediate intervention to save your pet's life.

At Plainfield Animal Hospital, we offer limited urgent veterinary care by appointment during our regular office hours, as our schedule allows. If you are unsure of what care your pet needs, please call us. We can help direct you.

Urgent & Emergency FAQs

Read through some frequently asked questions below to learn more about seeking urgent and emergency care for your pet.

• What is the difference between urgent care and emergency veterinary care?

  Urgent veterinary care is for conditions that are serious but not immediately life-threatening to your pet. Contact Plainfield Animal Hospital for urgent care by appointment.

  Emergency veterinary care is for conditions that need immediate treatment to save your pet's life. For emergencies, contact the 24/7 emergency animal hospital listed below.

• What are urgent medical conditions in cats and dogs?

  Serious but non-life-threatening conditions may require urgent care. Examples include:

  • Abscesses
  • Anal gland issues
  • Back pain
  • Difficulty walking
  • Ear or eye infections
  • Minor wounds & lacerations
  • Limping or mild lameness
  • Not eating or drinking
  • Allergic reactions
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Urinary tract issues
  • Minor vomiting or diarrhea
• What situations require emergency veterinary care?

  The following situations are examples of emergencies that require immediate care:

  • Heat stress or heatstroke
  • Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
  • Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
  • Fractured bones or severe lameness
  • Seizures and/or staggering
  • Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea; 2+ episodes in 24-hours
  • Injuries to the eye(s)
  • Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
  • Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
  • Unconsciousness
  • Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
  • Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
• How can I tell if my pet's condition is urgent or an emergency?

  Urgent conditions are serious but not life-threatening, while emergency conditions require immediate care to save the pet's life. Some of the other FAQs on this page provide examples of both emergency and urgent conditions.

  Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether your pet may need urgent or emergency care.

  Monitor Your Pet's Symptoms

  Keep a close eye on your pet and watch for changes in their symptoms. If they become worse over time, then you should bring your pet to the emergency vet.

  You Think Your Pet May Have Ingested Something Toxic

  If your pet has ingested something toxic, even if you're unsure, we recommend treating it as an emergency. If you're right, time is of the essence.

  Err On the Side of Caution

  If you can't decide what's best, play it safe and take your pet to the emergency vet.

  Call a Vet - We Can Help

  Give us a call. We'll discuss your pet's condition and symptoms with you and help you decide whether urgent or emergency care is best.

• How long will we have to wait to see the vet?

  Our South Plainfield animal hospital is just like a human doctor's office – it can be unpredictable, and you may have to wait.

  We cannot predict what cases we will see or when they will arrive. Always call ahead to find out whether we can provide urgent care for your dog or cat.

  If we are unable to fit your pet into our vet's schedule, we recommend that you visit one of the 24/7 animal emergency hospitals detailed below.