A pet emergency can happen at any time of the day when we least expect it. Cats and Dogs are curious animals, and therefore accidents can happen at any time, but aside from accidents, our loving friends can fall ill suddenly and require urgent medical care from an emergency veterinarian near you.
What is an Emergency Vet?
An Emergency veterinarian, different from regular veterinarian practitioners, are doctors who are specialised and trained to offer special treatment for pets with life-threatening cases. They can act in referral centres, just like Davies, or in animal hospitals where surgeons, internal medicine doctors and trained staff will be available for emergencies.
As a referral centre, Davies can take referrals from general practices, where pets will be treated accordingly, no matter their needs and requirements. We can offer care for pets suffering from trauma, pain, trouble breathing, gastrointestinal issues, post-operative complications, and more.
When to Take Your Pet to an Emergency Vet
How do I know if my pet needs emergency care?
If you are unsure whether your pet needs emergency care, you can call your local emergency vet and ask for advice. Emergency clinics and referrals will be able to guide you in the best manner possible, but to help the team on the phone to guide you, you may be aware of some of the symptoms they may have.
Signs your Pet Needs an Emergency Vet:
- Unconsciousness, Collapse, or Difficulty Breathing: These are critical signs requiring an emergency visit.
- Severe Pain or Distress: Pay close attention to your pet’s behaviour. Excessive whining, yelping, or hiding can indicate severe pain.
- Bleeding or Open Wounds: Severe bleeding or gaping wounds may require immediate veterinary attention.
- Seizures: If your pet experiences a seizure, especially multiple seizures in a row or a prolonged one, seek emergency vet care.
- Possible Broken Bones: Difficulty walking, limping, or signs of pain when touched can indicate a fracture.
- Poisoning Suspected: Ingestion of toxic substances like chocolate (yes, chocolate!), antifreeze, or medications is an emergency.
- Heatstroke Symptoms: Excessive panting, drooling, glazed eyes, or high temperature require immediate action.
- Rapid Deterioration: If your pet’s condition worsens quickly, with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, or abdominal swelling, seek emergency care.
If your pet has any of the following symptoms, do not hesitate to contact your primary veterinarian, or in case they are not available, contact Davies Vet Specialists. Our team of specialised veterinarians may be able to advise you.
Emergency Services Offered at Davies Vet Specialists
At Davies Vet Specialists, we have a new dedicated team that will be able to help and support you and your pet in emergency cases during the day. We offer a range of services, as well as facilities that can ensure your pet will be in good hands and receive the best care possible.
Emergency services and premises from Davies include:
- Anaesthesia: Davies’ experienced veterinary team provides safe and tailored anaesthesia for all procedures, ensuring your pet’s comfort and well-being.
- Orthopaedics: Our specialists offer advanced orthopaedic care for bone fractures, cruciate ligament injuries, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
- Soft Tissue Surgery: From minimally invasive procedures to complex surgeries, our veterinary surgeons provide expert care for abdominal and other soft tissue issues.
- Internal Medicine: Davies internal medicine specialists diagnose and treat complex medical conditions using advanced diagnostics and treatment protocols.
- Diagnostic Imaging: At Davies premises, we utilise advanced imaging technologies such as X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scans for accurate diagnoses.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU): Our ICU provides 24/7 monitoring and critical care for pets requiring intensive medical support, no matter their conditions.
What to Expect During an Emergency Vet Visit
At Davies, an emergency team is available during our working hours to provide immediate and life-saving care for your pet. Upon arrival, a veterinarian will perform a thorough examination to understand your pet’s specific needs, whilst still working collaboratively with you and your pet’s regular veterinarian to develop a personalised care plan.
If diagnostics or emergency surgery is necessary, our advanced facilities come into play, and our comfortable wards will ensure a stress-free environment for cats and dogs under our care. Our fully equipped ICU features cutting-edge life-support technology, allowing our team to manage even the most critical cases with the highest level of expertise.
How do emergency vets work?
Davies emergency veterinarians are highly trained professionals prepared to handle critical situations. Here’s what you can expect:
- Referral: In most cases, your regular veterinarian will refer your pet to our emergency services in case they require urgent care beyond their capabilities.
- Immediate Attention: Upon arrival, your pet will be assessed by a veterinarian to determine the level of urgency.
- Personalised Care Plan: We work closely with you to understand your pet’s medical history and develop a customised critical care plan.
- Advanced Diagnostics & Treatment: Our facilities feature separate cat and dog wards for a comfortable recovery environment. We also have a fully equipped ICU with cutting-edge life-support technology to address even the most complex cases.
- Compassionate Communication: Our team will keep you informed throughout the process, explaining procedures and answering your questions with empathy.
Emergency Veterinary Care in Hertfordshire
At Davies Vet Specialists, we can treat pets referred to us, be they emergency cases or not. Thanks to our top-line premises, we can handle various cases at once, whilst doing all procedures possible in-house.
We know that together with emergency cases, stressful moments are almost inevitable, but our team is not only highly qualified in what they do, but they also offer outstanding treatment for all patients under our care, by trying to make this experience as smooth as possible.
Contact us for more information about our emergency services, or talk to your regular veterinarian practitioner about a referral to us.