Injuries and illnesses can happen at any time, and this is true for pets as well as for people. You can never predict when another animal might attack your pet or when your pet might get into something that will cause them harm, so it is always best to be prepared. Knowing when your pet needs urgent care or emergency care could save their life. Our vets explain the difference between urgent and emergency situations so you’ll know where you should take your pet if an accident or sudden illness strikes.
What Is the Difference Between Pet Urgent Care and Emergency Care?
The main difference between pet urgent care vs. emergency care is the type of ailment and whether it is life-threatening or not. While urgent care issues can wait a couple to several hours, emergency care issues should be seen immediately.
Urgent Care for Pets
Urgent care visits are for injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening at the moment but still need a vet’s attention. Urgent care visits allow for prompt and qualified care without the added stress of an emergency vet visit.
Emergency Care for Pets
For life-threatening injuries or illnesses that need immediate attention, an emergency vet visit may be necessary. Emergency vets are open 24/7, so if an emergency happens during the night or over the weekend, you won’t have to wait for your regular veterinary clinic to open.
When Should I Take My Pet to Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care?
It’s not always easy to tell when a situation is life-threatening, especially when you’re worried about your pet. You can always call a vet to ask, but it’s also good to know how to recognize the signs of a pet emergency.
Signs That Your Pet Needs Emergency Care
If you notice any of the following signs, it is a good idea to get your pet to the emergency vet as quickly as possible:
- Pale gums
- Breathing too quickly
- Pulse is either too slow or too fast
- Having a hard time standing up or can’t move their limbs
- Lose consciousness or faint
- Got an injury, and you can’t stop the bleeding
- Having seizures or convulsions
- Temperature is too high or too low
Signs That Your Pet Needs Urgent Care
If your pet shows signs of injury or illness that are not as serious as the symptoms above, you may be able to wait a few hours to see if their symptoms stop. However, if you notice any of these signs, you should bring your pet to an urgent care facility:
- Sudden or increasing behavioral changes, such as them being more aggressive, disoriented, or restless
- Respiratory distress such as wheezing, choking, or coughing
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Not eating or drinking as much as usual or stopping altogether
- Trouble with urinating or passing feces
- Abnormal swellings
- Visible distress signals, such as limping, licking one spot, yelping in pain
The Benefits of Planning Ahead
One of the first things you should do when you adopt a pet is create an emergency plan with your veterinarian. You can never know when an emergency will happen, so having a plan already in place will help you be calmer, which means less stress for your pet.
Being able to tell when your pet needs urgent care vs. emergency care can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary stress—for you as well as your pet. It also allows you to make sure your pet is getting the proper care for their injury or illness. It’s always good to know where your nearest emergency vet and urgent care facilities are located. Save this information in your phone so that you always have it ready, just in case.
Urgent and Emergency Pet Care in Harker Heights, TX
If your pet ever gets injured or becomes ill, the veterinary team at Aztec Pet Hospital can help! If you’re ever uncertain where to go, contact us immediately. We’ll go over your pet’s symptoms and ask questions that will help you determine what type of care they need. We’ll do our best to return your pet to their normal, happy, healthy self.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (01/24/2025) Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay