24/7 Emergency Vet for Cats, Dogs & Exotics in Huntersville
At Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Huntersville, we offer emergency care 24/7, including Saturdays and Sundays.
What To Do in a Pet Emergency
If you know what to do and what to expect, handling any pet emergencies will be a smoother process for both you and your pet.
STEP 1
If Possible, Call Ahead
We know that it isn't always possible to call us in advance during an emergency situation. However, when manageable, it's best to let us know that you're coming. For less urgent circumstances, completing our New Patient form prior to arriving can save time as well.
STEP 2
Get To Our Hospital As Soon As Possible
When you arrive, you will be brought to an exam room and asked to complete our New Patient form if you haven't already done so. One of our veterinary technicians will triage your pet's condition and a veterinarian will complete a full examination.
STEP 3
Determine Treatment
Once your pet has been assessed, our highly trained veterinarians will devise a treatment plan to provide the best care possible. As an extension of your primary veterinary care, we will keep your veterinarian updated with your pet's medical history and files to ensure consistent and integrated care.
Huntersville Emergency Vet FAQs
Emergency veterinary care treats animals that require immediate attention or are in situations that could be potentially life-threatening.
- What is considered an emergency?
Below is a list of some of the most common situations that are considered emergencies requiring immediate care. If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms or has had an accident, get them to our hospital as soon as possible.
- Extreme bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
- Pronounced signs of pain or severe anxiety
- Choking or breathing difficulties, or continuous coughing/gagging
- Seizures and/or staggering
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
- Inability to urinate or pass feces, or obvious pain with urinating or passing feces
- Any injuries to the eye(s)
- Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.) or you suspect they may have
- Broken bones, severe lameness or inability to move leg(s)
- Heatstroke or heat stress
- More than two episodes of vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Unconsciousness
- What emergency services are available?
We are well-equipped to provide hospitalization, specialized diagnostics, and complete surgical services for Huntersville pets in our state-of-the-art emergency care facility.
- Do I need to call in advance?
It is always best to call us ahead of time when possible, but we also understand that with emergency situations, it may not always be practical.
If the situation does not permit time for a call in advance, please do not hesitate to bring your pet into our hospital for immediate attention.
- When is your emergency clinic open?
We are open for emergencies 24/7, 365 days a year.
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
Much like a human emergency department, a veterinary emergency hospital can be unpredictable at times which may mean having to wait.
Unfortunately, we are not able to predict what cases will arrive at our hospital or when, but we do prioritize and triage cases based on their medical needs.
Our hospital offers a comfortable waiting area and we will do our best to keep you updated about the length of wait times and the status of your pet.
- Will you keep in touch with our primary care veterinarian?
Absolutely. We always keep your primary care veterinarian included in your pet's status, and we share medical history and files to create seamless, integrated care.