Medical Emergencies - Vet in Red Deer | Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital

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Emergency Care

When every second counts.

Our Goal

Our Cedarwood Veterinary & Animal Emergency Hospital staff are available during and after normal business hours for pet medical emergencies, which generally result from unexpected or sudden illness, and can cause your pet pain or endanger their life. Our staff members practice patient triage, where we see patients with the most serious, life-threatening conditions ahead of others, and use life-saving measures to stabilize them. A veterinary nurse will examine your pet on arrival to determine their overall condition and their place in line, and we ask that you be patient as we work to save lives and ensure everyone is seen in a timely manner.

When your pet arrives, we’ll take their vital signs, perform a complete examination, and stabilize them, if needed. If we cannot immediately determine the cause of your pet’s emergency, we can run in-house diagnostics, including blood tests, urinalysis, X-ray, or ultrasound, to learn more information. Treatment may include fluids, medications, blood transfusions, hospitalization, and intensive monitoring, depending on your pet’s condition.

Medical Emergencies

If your pet has an after-hours emergency, please call our hospital before leaving home or on the way, so we can prepare for your pet’s arrival. We can also advise you on the best way to transport an injured or sick pet to keep them—and you—safe.

Some emergencies are obvious to pet owners, while other conditions that need immediate care may not be so apparent. When in doubt, call our hospital, so we can advise you on the best course of action. Common pet emergency signs that require immediate attention include:

Difficulty breathing
Severe vomiting or diarrhea
Extreme lethargy or confusion
Seizures, tremors, or collapse
Trauma, including being hit by a car
Porcupine quill injuries
Open wounds or excessive bleeding
Fractures
Toxin ingestion
Eye injuries or sudden blindness
Weakness or paralysis