Emergency Vet in Albemarle, NC

Please note: Our veterinarian and staff are trained to take care of urgent and emergency care situations that might arise. It is important to note that we are not an emergency clinic and our veterinarian is not an emergency care specialist. We recommend that you give us a call before you come to our clinic so that we can confirm whether or not our facility will be the best option to assist you and your pet.

Urgent Care services are offered for current clients only.

Emergency Vet Services

If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, call us when you are en route so that our staff will be ready when you arrive. The number is 704-983-2164.

We can provide emergency surgery for your pet, and many additional services if necessary (and depending on the nature of the emergency). This includes conducting in-house laboratory tests, X-rays, administering IV fluids, blood pressure and oxygen monitoring, pain management, and more.

What Constitutes a Pet Emergency?

If your pet is struck by a vehicle, gets bitten by a snake, or is injured in an animal attack, it’s pretty obvious that this is an emergency situation. But other signs of a medical emergency are sometimes not as obvious. Any of the following symptoms could be a sign that you need to quickly transport your pet for emergency vet services:

• Bloody stool or vomit
• Rapid temperature change — a temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit or below 98 degrees is an emergency
• Dehydration — usually presents as extreme diarrhea
• Loss of consciousness or seizures
• Pulse that is extremely weak or too rapid
• Pale gums

There’s another serious medical condition in dogs that we like to warn owners about, which is called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV). It’s also referred to as stomach bloat. If your dog takes on a hunched appearance and tries to vomit unsuccessfully, it can be a case of GDV. This happens when the stomach bloats and cuts off the blood flow to the abdominal organs. GDV is a serious medical emergency that can result in a dog’s death in less than an hour, due to organ failure.

Stabilize Your Pet for Transport

If your pet is choking on something, you can try to remove the obstruction with your finger in order to clear the airway. For serious bleeding injuries, elevate the wound and apply pressure to it as your pet is being transported to us.

To administer CPR to your dog or cat, place the animal on its side. Hold the mouth closed and blow through the nostrils. The rule of thumb is one breath every three seconds. If your pet’s heart stops, administer three quick heart compressions on the chest for every breath.

Don’t forget to call us at 704-983-2164 when you are en route to our office for emergency vet services.