Emergency & Urgent Care
Emergency Right Now?
Is your dog or cat having an emergency right now?
Call us at 301-662-CARE (2273) to let us know you’re on your way.
- If your pet cannot walk or be easily carried, use a blanket or a sheet as a stretcher. If you are worried that you cannot handle the pet without being injured, please call for advice. Small animals should be in carriers, if possible.
- If your pet has ingested something that you think may be poisonous, we may recommend that you call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. There is a charge for this call.
CARE Emergency Department
CARE Veterinary Center’s Emergency Department is open 24/7, 365 days a year. We’re always fully staffed with veterinarians and technicians who are ready and waiting to help you and your pet. Our state-of-the-art facility gives us the best technology, resources and staff to diagnose and treat any medical, surgical or emergent condition.
- 24-hour veterinary and nursing staff prepared for all your pet’s life-threatening and critical care needs
- Advanced diagnostic capabilities including ultrasound and digital radiology
- Physiological monitoring to track the patient’s condition, support the treatment plan and immediately identify new medical emergency needs
- On-site blood bank for blood and plasma transfusions
- Advanced anesthetic monitoring capability
- Experience in assessing pain and administering appropriate pain management
Common Emergencies
Common medical emergencies among pets include trauma injuries, ingestion dangers, and unexplained symptoms.
EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS
If your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they may require emergency medical attention:
- Cat with open mouth-breathing
- Blue, purple, or pale gums or tongue
- Trouble breathing/severe coughing
- Severe bleeding (or bleeding that doesn’t stop)
- Ingestion of a foreign object
- Lacerations
- Signs of extreme discomfort
- Acute lameness Eye trauma, vision problems
- Inability to move legs or weakness in limbs
- Distended abdomen
- Difficulty urinating / urinating blood
- Severe vomiting, diarrhea or unproductive retching
- Seizure or tremors
- Unresponsive
- Unusual and erratic behavior
- Sudden collapse
- Diabetic emergencies
- Uncontrollable itching/hives/allergic reactions
- Neonatal emergencies
- Porcupine Quills
- Snake Bite
- Labor that isn’t progressing
- Possible poisoning ( i.e. rat bait, antifreeze, medications…)
Triage
We treat the most critically ill or seriously injured patients first. This is called “triage.” Upon arrival at CARE all pets are triaged by our experienced medical staff. Pets with emergencies are seen as they arrive at CARE and served based on the severity of the condition or injury. If your pet has life threatening needs they will be seen immediately. We have special procedures and equipment available, which can significantly improve your pet’s survival and recovery in emergency situations.
Overnight Critical Care
Your primary veterinarian can transfer a sick pet to us for overnight critical care needs. You and your primary vet will be kept informed of your pet's progress during their hospitalization. CARE provides round the clock advanced care and is always staffed with a doctor and a trained medical team of technicians. While staying overnight we focus on your pet's medical needs and keep them comfortable.
Contact Us
CARE Veterinary Center
Location
1080 W Patrick St. Frederick, MD 21703
Clinic Hours
Main Hospital – 24/7, 365 daysSpecialty – By appointment, M-F, 9am-5pm