Emergencies are one of those things that don’t stick to a schedule or care about only happening during normal business hours. While most veterinary clinics are open regular business hours during the week, when it comes to weekends and holidays, you’ll need to find a 24-hours animal hospital to take your pet to. But how do you know where to look for an animal hospital near you? Where should you find references? What services do they offer? How do you know if your pet should go to an animal hospital? We’ll answer all of these questions and more to help you find the right 24-hour animal hospital near you.
Where to Look for An Animal Hospital Near You
The first way to look for a 24-hour animal hospital is by Googling “24-hour animal hospitals near me.” You can see which animal hospitals are closest to you so you can be aware how close or far away an animal hospital is to your house. Other options include asking friends or family which animal hospital they go to or asking your local veterinarian for 24-hour animal hospitals nearby. One other way is to keep an eye out when you’re running errands. If you notice a sign for a local animal hospital, that’s something to take a mental note of for emergency situations.
Where to Look for References for Animal Hospitals
When it comes to looking for references for animal hospitals, the first place most people go is the internet. While this isn’t a bad thing, we always have to take these reviews with a grain of salt. Sometimes the whole story isn’t told or people make time to leave bad reviews but not take time to leave good ones when they have a good experience. We recommend asking close friends or family for references for an emergency animal hospital they’ve used in the past. It’s also a great idea to ask your veterinarian if they have an animal hospital they recommend or work with.
What Services do Animal Hospitals Offer?
Every animal hospital is different, so the services they offer differ as well. Most animal hospitals have certain services they offer, such as x-rays, minor surgeries, blood tests, birthing, and more. The main differences would be types of surgeries offered, in-depth blood testings, and larger machinery testings. For most after hours emergencies, any local animal hospital can care for your pet. For more severe or in-depth cases, your pet may require a transfer to a larger animal hospital if the closest one can provide all the services needed.
When Should Your Pet Be Taken to an Animal Hospital?
There seems to be two types of people in this world: those who go to the vet for everything and those who don’t go for anything. But what constitutes an emergency trip to an emergency vet clinic? Here are a few examples of reasons you should take your pet to an animal hospital.
- Issues with child birth – Child birth is a very natural thing and most animals have no issues; however, if you notice a problem while your pet is giving birth, it’s better to take them in for the safety of mom and the babies.
- Swallowing a dangerous substance – If your pet licks chemicals or swallows something concerning, you need to take them to an animal hospital immediately. Small items can get lodged in places they shouldn’t, and sharp objects could damage organs.
- Bleeding – If your pet is bleeding, they need to be taken to a 24-hour animal hospital. If it’s something small that can be addressed at home, you can stop the bleeding and call your vet when they open, but for large wounds, bleeding in critical locations or bleeding that won’t stop, a trip to the animal hospital is a must.
- Broken Bones – This may seem obvious, but if your pet has a bone that is broken or you think may be broken, going to the animal hospital immediately is a must. If you wait until your local vet is open, your pet’s bones may not heal properly. This could cause them pain and problems the rest of their life.
- Major Accidents – Small animals jumping from tall services, an animal getting hit by a vehicle, a pet getting attacked by another animal, and the list goes on are all reasons to bring your pet to your emergency vet. Even if you don’t see an injury, there could be something internally that needs to be addressed. It’s always better to make the trip just in case than wait and wish you had gone. Your pet deserves to be taken care of properly.
The Best Time to Research Animal Hospitals
Many people wait until it’s “too late” to research local 24-hour animal hospitals near them. “Too late” is when the emergency arises. You need to begin research today before the emergency happens so that you aren’t trying to do research while your pet is hurt and in pain. Emergency situations cause us to not think as clearly and often move slower due to shaking, crying or stressing. By taking time to figure out where to go, how to get there, and whether the animal hospital offers the services you need, you lose precious time your pet could be getting treated. The best time to research animal hospitals is today so that you can act and respond immediately and get your pet the help they need quickly when they’re hurt.
Our pets deserve to be taken care of, especially in vital moments when they’re hurt and injured. Be sure to take the time to research a 24-hour animal hospital near you to protect your pet and get them the treatment they need. If you’re in the Greensboro area, our expert team at AHVEC would love to care for your pet during an emergency. We care about every pet that comes through our doors, and we treat them as our own. For more information about our emergency veterinary clinic, contact our office today.