Emergency Veterinary Services at New Hope Animal Hospital, Your Durham Veterinarian
When your beloved pet suffers a medical emergency, he needs skilled, experienced care immediately -- and you can make sure he receives it by bringing him to our emergency vet team at New Hope Animal Hospital. From blunt trauma injuries to poison ingestion, our emergency veterinarian can provide life-saving treatment for pets in the Durham and Chapel Hill area.
What constitutes a veterinary emergency? Any event that causes your pet extreme pain or threatens his life requires the attention of an emergency veterinarian. While some emergencies might threaten only occasionally or seasonally (such as difficult labor or heat stroke), many everyday threats can escalate into an emergency. Two of the most common categories of veterinary emergency include:
- Poisoning - Many household substances can poison a hungry or curious pet who decides to ingest them. Some of these substances, such as chocolate, might strike you as perfectly harmless -- but chocolate can cause deadly physiological reactions in pets. Many innocent-looking household plants can also prove toxic if ingested. Other, more obvious poisons you may have in your home include antifreeze, pesticides, and medicines. Symptoms such as seizures, excessive thirst and urination, abdominal bloating, and vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours indicate that your pet needs emergency veterinary attention.
- Blunt force trauma - Pets can sustain this type of serious injury through automobile impacts, falls, or fights with other animals. In addition to bone fractures, your pet may be bleeding internally or externally, and his injuries may cause him to go into shock. Don't base your evaluation of your pet's injuries on whether he seems to be in pain. While dogs may express obvious pain, many cats instinctively try to hide pain, illness, and other displays of weakness. Bring your injured pet to our emergency veterinarian for immediate treatment.
Comprehensive Emergency Needs in Durham and Chapel Hill
We help patients with emergency needs in Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding communities. If your pet needs care, call us immediately for help. We treat many types of emergency situations including:
- Injuries resulting in bleeding
- General pain without a specific cause
- Infections
- Unexplained illness
- Bite wounds
- Allergic reactions
- Broken or bruised bones
- Sudden hair loss, unexpected growths, excessive licking or scratching
We do not want you to wait to get the care your pet needs. Possible complications can occur at any time, leading to high-risk situations. If you feel your pet needs care right away, call our team.
When Should You Call Your Pet Hospital?
If there’s a question about whether or not your pet needs immediate care, call your pet hospital to inquire. We’ll encourage you to bring your pet in for serious situations. The following are some of the most common signs of a medical emergency requiring immediate care:
- Bleeding or open wounds
- Broken bones
- Trouble breathing
- Nonresponsive
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Rapid, slow, or unable to be found pulse
- Swelling
- Observed accidents such as falls or being hit by a car
- Limping or sounds of pain
If you feel your pet is not well, don’t wait to seek out medical care. We’re happy to answer your questions.
How to Handle a Pet Emergency
If an emergency occurs with your pet, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Your pet needs your focus to help them through this situation. Keep your voice calm to keep the animal calm.
- If there’s bleeding, place a clean cloth over the wound and apply pressure.
- Do not put any antiseptics or cleaning products on your pet’s wounds.
- Keep your pet’s head elevated to facilitate easier breathing.
- If the pet is hurt with obvious injuries, try not to move him or her until you call your veterinarian.
When you call our team, we’ll provide you with specific information on how to bring your pet to us and when to do so. You don’t have to make key decisions on your own. Our team can help you to ensure your pet gets the best possible care.
Don’t Wait. Call Your Pet Hospital in Durham and Chapel Hill for Help
New Hope Animal Hospital wants to provide you with the care needed. Call your pet hospital right away if you believe your pet needs immediate care. We serve patients in Chapel Hill and Durham at our office. Call us now: (919) 490-2000.
To learn more about our Emergency Veterinary services visit our Emergency Veterinary FAQ page.
For after hours emergencies:
