When your pet is sick or injured, you must know the veterinary care type your furry pal needs to ensure they receive appropriate treatment within the appropriate time frame. Emergency veterinary care and urgent care both address serious health issues, but they cater to different severity and urgency levels. Our Cupertino Animal Hospital team wants to clear the confusion, and we explain the differences between emergency and urgent veterinary care.

What is emergency veterinary care?

Emergency veterinary care is necessary for pets experiencing severe, life-threatening conditions. Emergency veterinary care is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and involves immediate medical intervention to stabilize a pet, manage their pain, and address their underlying health issue. Emergency veterinary clinics have specialized equipment and are staffed by veterinarians and technicians trained in handling critical situations.

When does my pet need emergency veterinary care?

Although any time your pet is unwell or injured seems like an emergency to you, some conditions are more dire than others. Conditions that require emergency veterinary care include:

  • Severe trauma — Situations, such as a car accident, a fall from a significant height, and an animal attack, require emergency care. Even if your pet seems fine after the incident, they still need a professional veterinary assessment to rule out internal injuries.
  • Bleeding — Excessive bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop after pressure is applied for five minutes needs immediate attention.
  • Toxicity — If you know or suspect your pet has ingested a toxin, such as chocolate, xylitol, antifreeze, or rat poisoning, seek emergency veterinary care.
  • Breathing difficulties — Signs, such as choking, wheezing, labored breathing, and blue gums, indicate your pet needs emergency veterinary attention.
  • Fractures or dislocation — If your pet has an obvious fracture or dislocation, they need immediate veterinary attention to control their pain and prevent shock.
  • Seizures — If your pet has no seizure history, you should seek emergency care if they have an initial episode. If possible, video and time your pet’s seizure.
  • Bloat — Bloat—gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)—is a condition that most commonly affects large, deep-chested dogs. Signs include abdominal pain and distention, unproductive vomiting, restlessness, and increased respiration rate. Pets experiencing bloat require emergency veterinary care.
  • Collapse — Numerous serious issues can lead to collapse and unconsciousness, and your pet needs immediate veterinary attention if this occurs.
  • Inability to urinate — Urinary blockage, which is most commonly seen in male cats, requires emergency veterinary care to remove the blockage and prevent a life-threatening situation.
  • Foreign body ingestion — If you know or suspect your pet has ingested a foreign body, they need emergency care to help prevent gastrointestinal (GI) damage.

What is urgent veterinary care?

Urgent veterinary care involves addressing serious health issues that, while not immediately life-threatening, could deteriorate if not treated promptly. These conditions require timely intervention to manage pain and discomfort and prevent complications. Urgent care can often be provided by our Cupertino Animal Hospital team during regular business hours or at an urgent care veterinary clinic after hours.

When does my pet need urgent veterinary care?

Some serious health issues require prompt—but not immediate—veterinary attention. Conditions that require urgent veterinary care include:

  • Ear infections — Ear infections can be extremely painful for pets and can worsen quickly, leading to serious complications if not treated appropriately. Signs include head shaking, pawing or scratching at the ear, and ear odor and discharge. 
  • Moderate injuries — Small cuts and abrasions need urgent veterinary care to help prevent infection.
  • Persistent vomiting or diarrhea — If your pet has one bout of vomiting or diarrhea and otherwise seems fine, you can monitor their condition at home, but they need urgent care if they have multiple GI upset bouts that include signs, such as lethargy and inappetence, in addition to the GI upset.
  • Eye issues — Signs, such as eye redness, swelling, squinting, and discharge, indicate your pet needs urgent veterinary care to help preserve their vision.
  • Urinary issues — Signs, such as frequent urination, blood in the urine, crying out during urination, and urinating inappropriately, indicate your pet needs urgent veterinary care.

If your pet needs veterinary care and you are uncertain what type they need, contact our Cupertino Animal Hospital team so we can provide advice on where to take your pet for the best possible care.