When your pet has a sudden illness or injury requiring immediate medical care, it’s time to seek emergency veterinary care at your local 24-hour emergency care clinic. When you arrive at the ER, your pet will undergo a process called triage, which determines the order in which pets are seen for treatment based on the severity of their condition. At All Pets Animal Hospital & 24 HR Emergency Care, we will do everything we can to treat your pet promptly in any emergency situation. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect when you visit our clinic.
The Triage Process
As soon as you arrive with your pet, a veterinarian or veterinary technician will evaluate your pet to assess the urgency of their condition. They will look at your pet’s general appearance and check for signs of respiratory issues, assess their alertness, and take your pet’s vital signs. They will also ask you some questions about your pet’s medical history. Bring any medications or supplements your pet is currently taking, along with contact information for your primary veterinary care provider. If your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, bring the item or a picture of it along as well.
Triage is not a full diagnosis of your pet’s condition, but it will help our team determine how urgent it is for your pet to be thoroughly evaluated by a veterinarian and seen for treatment. If your pet is stable, they may not be seen as soon as a pet with an urgent or critical condition. Your pet’s triage status may also change if their symptoms become worse as you’re waiting to be seen for care.
Post-Triage Care
If your pet needs immediate care, our staff will begin stabilization measures. Otherwise, you may need to wait in the lobby or exam room while our team tends to other pets in more urgent conditions. Once the veterinarian performs an exam, we may recommend further diagnostic testing such as X-rays or blood work. After a diagnosis is achieved, we will begin treatment to help your pet feel better so we can release them back into your care. Treatment may include surgery, IV fluids, medication, wound care, and oxygen therapy. You will likely need to follow up with your family veterinarian for further care and treatment.
If your pet is experiencing an emergency, give All Pets Animal Hospital & 24 HR Emergency Care a call at (281) 392-7387 to let us know you’re on the way. We are a Fear Free certified veterinary ER in Katy, TX open 24/7/365. We will treat your pet like our own family, so you can rest assured that they will get the care they need even in the most uncertain medical situations.