Emergency and Urgent Care
Helping your Pet in an Emergency
What to Expect When You Arrive
What is an Emergency
Urgent Care Services
Lives Saved by Our Team
What to Expect When You Arrive
What is an Emergency
Urgent Care Services
Lives Saved by Our Team
It's frightening when you're faced with an emergency and your pet needs immediate veterinary care. That's why we offer extended hours--we're open when most veterinary offices are closed--providing life saving services 7 days a week. If your pet is in need of emergency veterinary care please call us immediately. By calling ahead we can be prepared for your pet's arrival.
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Urgent Care Brochure
Important Links
ASPCA Animal Poison Control
www.aspca.org Pet Poison Helpline
www.petpoisonhelpline.com
www.aspca.org Pet Poison Helpline
www.petpoisonhelpline.com
Call Ahead
Please call ahead if your pet needs emergency care. Calling ahead will alert our staff to the nature of your pet’s emergency and will help us prepare to meet you when you arrive -- saving valuable treatment time when every minute counts. Our staff may also give you instructions on how to assist your pet if they are in distress, helping them stay safe and comfortable en route to the hospital.
Use a Pet Carrier or Leash
Please keep your pet—and everyone else—as safe as possible. Please use a carrier if you’re bringing in a cat or other small animal or a leash if you’re bringing in a dog. If you do not have a leash or carrier, we will provide one for you prior to your entrance into the hospital.
Drive Safely
You'll be safer, and it will minimize the stress on your injured or sick pet. Most of all, breathe! We understand that it's a stressful time. We'll do all we can to make you and your pet comfortable
Parking
Our hospital has a dedicated parking spot near the front entrance door that is reserved for emergencies only. If you are bringing your pet in for an emergency, please park in the spot marked with the Emergency Parking sign. Our staff will assist you in getting your pet into the hospital quickly and safely.
Arrival
Now that you have called ahead, our staff is prepared and expecting you. You will be met by the reception staff or members of our medical team.
When you are experiencing an emergency with your pet, we provide the compassionate care your pet needs. We know that it is sometimes difficult to determine if your pet is in crisis, which is why we encourage you to call and speak with one of our Veterinarians or Advice Nurses. Our staff can answer your question, ease your mind, and provide information that will help you make a decision regarding your pet’s medical care.
However, if you are concerned enough to call us, it is usually best to bring your pet in for a visit. Beginning treatment immediately may save a life, shorten recovery time and reduce costs.
And, because our pets can’t talk to us, it can be difficult to determine if some situations are truly emergencies. Trust your instincts and “if in doubt, check it out” with a veterinarian. The following is a list of common signs that may require urgent care:
- Bites (insect, snake, other animal, etc.)
- Burns
- Bleeding that won't stop
- Crying out
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent coughing
- Eye injury or squinting
- Excessive head shaking and scratching
- Trauma, such as being hit by a car
- Straining to urinate or defecate
- Sudden limping
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Suspected heatstroke
- Swollen or painful abdomen
- Lacerations
- Seizures, fainting, or collapse
- Unusual behavior, such as aggressiveness or lethargy
- Unexplained trembling
- Difficulty delivering puppies or kittens
- Repeated vomiting
- Ingestion of a foreign object
- Weakness in limbs/Inability to walk
- Suspected poisoning
Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. We are equipped to handle any emergency, 7 days a week. If your pet is already a patient of our general practice, their complete electronic veterinary medical records will be immediately available to our doctors, allowing for complete continuity of care for your pet, including during emergencies.
Below are some of our Emergency and Urgent Care services:
- Trauma/Emergency Surgery
- Toxicity/Poison treatment
- Pain management
- Cardiac resuscitation (CPR)
- Blood transfusions
- 24 hour nursing care
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Intravenous fluid therapy
- Temperature-controlled (warming) cages
- Oxygen therapy
- Ventilator therapy
- X-rays and Ultrasound
- Internal Medicine
- C-sections
Age: 15 years
Breed: Mixed
Diagnosis: Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV or Canine Bloat) Pepe is a 15 year old mixed breed who was admitted to the hospital for emergency care because he had been repeatedly vomiting and was very uncomfortable. After his initial examination and x-rays, Dr. Leanne Taylor determined that Pepe’s stomach had twisted around on itself and was rapidly distending with gas. He was diagnosed with Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV), or Canine Bloat. Pepe was immediately prepped for surgery due to the seriousness of his condition. After two hours of surgery and two days of hospitalization he made a full recovery. We are pleased to report that Pepe is happy and doing well today. Summary: Canine Bloat is a life-threatening condition. In this case, a number of factors contributed to saving Pepe’s life, especially the quick action taken by his owners in recognizing a potential emergency. In addition, the ability of our doctors to diagnose patients quickly using advanced technologies such as digital X-ray and ultrasound equipment, the ability to perform immediate on-site blood testing, and the skill and training required to perform these complicated emergency surgeries all contributed to Pepe’s rapid diagnosis and life-saving treatment. Our extended hours meant that Pepe could be treated by his regular veterinarian in a familiar setting, rather than having to drive to a separate emergency clinic. Click here to download our GDV client handout.
Age: 8 weeks
Breed: Newfoundland
Diagnosis: Canine Parvovirus Moby’s owners had recently adopted him from a breeder who informed them that the litter of puppies had been exposed to Canine Parvovirus, a serious and highly contagious virus that attacks the gastrointestinal tract of puppies and dogs. Although initial tests performed shortly after being exposed to the virus came up negative, Moby later began vomiting and developed diarrhea. He was admitted to Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care for emergency care and this time tested positive for the Parvovirus. Moby spent six days in the hospital in critical condition on IV fluids. He received multiple plasma transfusions in addition to intravenous antibiotics, anti-viral medications, medications to control vomiting, and pain medications. After the most critical week of his young life, Moby made a complete recovery and is on his way to a full, healthy life. Summary: The Parvovirus causes a life-threatening illness in dogs. However, Moby was lucky; his owners were proactive in bringing him to the vet to be checked when he first became sick, which meant his disease was diagnosed in the early stages. Moby also received 24-hour patient care, which allowed our veterinarians and technicians to observe his condition continually and administer medications frequently. Our in-house laboratory allowed us to monitor blood and protein levels to determine if and when transfusions were needed. Because Parvovirus is contagious, Moby was cared for in our Isolation Ward for his own well being and for that of the rest of our hospitalized patients. Today, Moby is fully recovered and is a happy and normal dog. In fact, his owners plan on returning the favor and will be enrolling Moby in the Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care Blood Donor Program so he can help other puppies and dogs in need. Click here to download Parvovirus Handout
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