How to Handle Pet Emergencies During & After-Hours
One of the biggest fears pet parents face is dealing with an emergency, especially in the middle of the night. Because you can’t predict when your pet will become ill or attempt to swallow a foreign object, you need to be prepared with an emergency plan of action for such events. Thanks to our state-of-the-art operating rooms and dental suite, City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital is equipped to handle veterinary hospital emergencies in Asbury Park, NJ.
We offer on-site veterinary dentistry, as well as surgery and anesthesia. Whenever possible, our staff schedules same-day appointments for patients in need of an emergency vet. Although our animal hospital is not open 24 hours a day, we do check our voicemails frequently, both day and night. If we’re ever unable to assist you promptly, we’re usually able to recommend other animal hospitals in the vicinity that can provide urgent care after-hours or on the weekends. If you need an emergency vet near Asbury Park or in the Jersey Shore area, please contact us today for your peace of mind!
What’s Considered a Veterinary Emergency & What Can Wait?
Deciding what’s genuinely a veterinary emergency and what can wait until the next business day is crucial, as it can often mean the difference between life and death. Don’t jeopardize your pet’s health. These are all considered veterinary emergencies that may require immediate care:
- Traumatic injuries
- Automobile accidents
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Shock
- Excessive bleeding or pain
- Weak or rapid pulse
- Rapid breathing or other respiratory emergencies
- Dental abscesses, broken teeth, or wisdom teeth extraction
- Labor or pregnancy complications
- Loss of consciousness
- Ingestion of a toxic substance
- Choking or swallowing a foreign object
- Pale gums
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
- Blood in the urine or feces
- Heatstroke
- Emergency surgery and anesthesia
Remain Calm and Protect Yourself in an Emergency Situation
If your cat or dog has been severely injured, the important thing to remember is to remain calm. You may need to take specific steps to protect yourself from the wounded animal, as its first instinct may be to avoid human contact at all costs, even from a trusted pet parent. Always approach your pet slowly, saying their name and kneeling. If they seem aggressive, call for backup. An injured dog may require a makeshift stretcher for transport. Gently put a blanket over your cat’s head to prevent them from biting you and place them in an open-topped carrier for transport. You need to be gentle when lifting your cat or dog, being careful to support their neck and back in case of a spinal injury. It may be necessary for you to administer First Aid, the Heimlich maneuver, or CPR on the scene if you know how to do so.
Consider Garden State Veterinary Specialists for Urgent Care
City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital provides comprehensive, compassionate veterinary care from a qualified team of dedicated professionals. Whether you’re here for pet dentistry services, an annual wellness visit or urgent care, we do our best to put you and your pet quickly at ease in our welcoming environment. Our animal hospital is open Monday through Saturday with our standard business hours posted for each day on our website.
If you have an emergency or a question that can’t wait until the next business day, give us a call. Our staff checks our voicemail regularly, both day and night, and if your pet needs urgent care, we’ll make every attempt to return your call promptly. If you don’t hear back from us or your pet cannot wait to be seen and treated, consider bringing your pet to Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ. Dr. Thomas Caltabilota spent some time working there prior to opening our practice, and we maintain a good working relationship with the caring team there.