At Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital, we are here to help in the event of an emergency. Our Berkeley emergency veterinary team is trained and experienced in emergency care and triage. We provide emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What To Do In An Emergency
The process of bringing in your pet companion for urgent or emergency care will be easier for the both of your if you know what to expect from our emergency clinic. Here are the steps you should follow when bringing your pet to us for emergency care:
STEP 1
Call Ahead If You Can
Since this is an emergency, we understand that it may not be possible to call us in advance of when your pet needs care. However, it is always best if you can. If you weren't able to call ahead, you can call us from our parking lot to give us an opportunity to prepare for treatment.
If you have time, you can also complete our New Patient Form before you arrive.
STEP 2
Get To Our Office Right Away
One of our veterinary technicians will come outside to meet you, triage your pet, and then bring them inside for treatment. While this is happening, you'll be asked to complete our New Patient Form and Treatment Consent form.
STEP 3
Determine Treatment
Once your pet has been assessed, our highly trained ER veterinarians will be able to develop a treatment plan so your pet will receive the care they need. If we are not your primary care veterinary hospital, we will keep them updated with your pet's medical history to ensure seamless, integrated care that meets your pet's needs.
Animal Emergency FAQs
Emergency veterinary care involves the treatment of animals in urgent situations that require immediate attention and could be life-threatening.
- What is considered an emergency?
Any of the situation below could be considered emergencies that require immediate care. If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms or has had an accident, bring them to our veterinary hospital as soon as possible.
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; more than two episodes in 24-hours
- Heatstroke or heat stress
- Unconsciousness
- Obvious signs of extreme anxiety or pain
- Pain associated with passing feces or urinating, or inability to pass feces or urinate
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in urine
- Staggering and/or seizures
- Bleeding that hasn't stopped, or severe bleeding
- Choking, difficulty breathing or continuous coughing/gagging
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Severe lameness, fractured bones or inability to remove legs
- You know or suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- What emergency services do you offer?
We offer advanced emergency care for your beloved pet companion. We are fully equipped to provide diagnostics, surgical care and hospitalization for your pet.
- Do I need to call ahead?
While it may not be possible, it is always best to call us ahead of your arrival. We understand, though, that emergencies occur quickly and mean you won't always be able to do so.
If the situation prevents you from calling, don't hesitate to bring your pet to our clinic for immediate medical treatment.
When you arrive in our parking lot, call us to let us know that you have arrived and one of our skilled veterinary technicians will meet you and start the treatment process.
- When is your emergency clinic open?
We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
A veterinary hospital is similar to a human hospital in a number of ways: the pace of emergencies can't be predicted and you might have to wait because of that.
We are not able to predict which cases we will see and when they will arrive, but we will prioritize cases based on medical need.
You'll find a comfortable area for waiting, and we will do our best to keep you updated about wait times and the status of your pet.
- Will you keep in touch with our primary care veterinarian?
We will keep your primary care vet updated with your pet's medical history and files to ensure your pet receives seamless, integrated care.
Our Emergency Veterinarians
Our emergency veterinarians are qualified and experienced in providing attentive care 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.