How to Know What Level of Care Your Pet Needs
As a devoted pet parent, you always want to make sure your pet receives the best possible care when they’re not feeling well. But when an unexpected illness or injury arises, knowing whether to seek urgent care or emergency care can be challenging. At Advanced Veterinary Care of Orlando, Florida, we provide urgent care and specialty services, helping pet owners navigate these tough decisions with confidence.
Though we do not offer emergency services, we are fully equipped to handle a wide range of non-life-threatening but urgent medical conditions with our in-house diagnostic laboratory, advanced imaging technology (digital radiographs, CT scans, ultrasound), and comprehensive treatment facilities, including two surgery suites and an isolation ward. Let’s dive into how you can distinguish between urgent and emergency care for your pet and when to seek the appropriate care.
What is Urgent Care for Pets?
Urgent care for pets is designed to address non-life-threatening issues that still require prompt medical attention. At Advanced Veterinary Care, we offer same-day appointments to ensure your pet gets the care they need quickly, preventing minor problems from becoming major concerns.
If your pet is showing signs of illness or injury that are worrisome but not immediately life-threatening, urgent care is usually the right option. Common examples include:
- Mild injuries such as small cuts, scrapes, or a sudden limp
- Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea lasting less than 24 hours
- Mild allergic reactions, such as localized swelling or itching
- Eye irritation without extreme discomfort
- Ear infections, which may cause itching or head shaking
- Coughing or sneezing that isn’t accompanied by severe breathing difficulties
These situations are concerning, but they don’t require a trip to an emergency facility. At Advanced Veterinary Care, our team is equipped to diagnose and treat these conditions quickly and effectively, ensuring your pet is on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
Our Diagnostic and Treatment Capabilities
When you bring your pet in for urgent care, we can perform advanced diagnostics on-site, giving us a comprehensive view of your pet’s health. Our capabilities include:
- In-house diagnostic laboratory for rapid blood work and analysis
- Digital radiographs to assess injuries, bones, and joints
- 16-slice CT scans for detailed imaging of internal structures
- Ultrasound technology for real-time imaging of organs and tissues
- Endoscopy, allowing us to examine internal organs and obtain samples without invasive surgery
With this cutting-edge technology at our fingertips, we can provide timely, accurate diagnoses and implement treatment plans to address your pet's needs efficiently.
Examples of Urgent Care Situations:
1. Vomiting or Diarrhea Lasting Less Than 24 Hours
If your pet has mild vomiting or diarrhea, it’s important to address the issue before it worsens. In most cases, this can be handled at our urgent care facility, where we can monitor for dehydration, run diagnostics, and provide treatment.
2. Mild Limping or Lameness
If your dog or cat suddenly begins limping, it might be a sign of a sprain, minor injury, or strain. At Advanced Veterinary Care, we can take digital radiographs to assess whether there’s any underlying damage and develop a treatment plan.
3. Minor Skin or Allergic Reactions
If your pet is experiencing mild swelling or itching, it may be an allergic reaction to something in their environment. In most cases, urgent care can address this with medication or other treatments.
What is Emergency Care for Pets?
Emergency care is for situations that are life-threatening or critical and require immediate attention at an emergency veterinary facility. Advanced Veterinary Care of Orlando does not offer emergency services, but knowing when to seek emergency help is crucial to keeping your pet safe.
Some conditions that require emergency care include:
- Severe trauma, such as being hit by a car
- Heavy bleeding or inability to stop bleeding
- Difficulty breathing or choking
- Seizures that last more than a few minutes
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Ingestion of toxic substances, like chocolate, antifreeze, or certain plants
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists
- Severe allergic reactions that involve swelling of the face, throat, or difficulty breathing
These situations are critical and require immediate treatment at a 24-hour emergency vet clinic. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and head to an emergency facility for evaluation.
How to Decide: Urgent Care or Emergency Care?
Knowing whether your pet needs urgent or emergency care can sometimes be difficult. Here are a few things to consider:
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Is your pet’s condition life-threatening?
If your pet’s life is at immediate risk, such as difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or trauma, they need emergency care.
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Is your pet experiencing extreme pain or distress?
Signs of severe pain, such as heavy panting, whining, or lethargy, could indicate that an emergency visit is needed.
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Is the condition getting worse quickly?
If your pet’s symptoms are rapidly deteriorating—like vomiting or diarrhea that won’t stop—it may require urgent attention. At Advanced Veterinary Care, we can often stabilize your pet and prevent further complications.
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Can your pet wait a few hours to see a vet?
If the issue isn’t critical, such as a mild limp or minor skin reaction, you can likely schedule an urgent care appointment for the same day.
Our team at Advanced Veterinary Care of Orlando is here to help with any urgent needs. If you’re unsure about the severity of your pet’s condition, give us a call. We’ll help you assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
The Advanced Veterinary Care Difference
At Advanced Veterinary Care of Orlando, we specialize in urgent care and advanced diagnostics. When your pet needs care, we have the technology and expertise to ensure they get the best treatment available.
Our facility includes:
- Two surgery suites for both scheduled and urgent surgical needs
- Isolation ward to keep contagious or infectious pets separate and safe
- Negative pressure wound therapy, a cutting-edge technique for healing severe wounds
- In-house diagnostics to get quick results for lab work, radiographs, and imaging
- Endoscopy services, which allow us to perform minimally invasive procedures to evaluate your pet's health and diagnose internal conditions
By offering these advanced services, we provide comprehensive care when your pet needs it most, giving you peace of mind that your pet is in good hands.
Creating a Veterinary Emergency Plan
While Advanced Veterinary Care does not provide emergency services, it’s essential to have a plan in place for after-hours emergencies. Here’s how you can stay prepared:
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Know the nearest 24-hour emergency vet
Save the contact information of your local emergency clinic so you can get there quickly if needed.
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Prepare a pet first-aid kit
Stock a kit with essentials like gauze, antiseptic wipes, a digital thermometer, and tweezers for minor injuries until you can seek professional help.
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Have transportation ready
In an emergency, time is critical. Make sure you know how you’ll get your pet to an emergency facility quickly.
Trust Advanced Veterinary Care of Orlando for Your Pet’s Urgent Needs
When your pet requires urgent care, Advanced Veterinary Care of Orlando is here to provide expert treatment and diagnostics in a comfortable, compassionate environment. From in-house diagnostics and advanced imaging to specialized treatment options like endoscopy and wound therapy, we’re fully equipped to handle a wide range of urgent conditions.
While we don’t offer emergency services, we’re always here for your pet’s urgent and specialty care needs. If your pet isn’t feeling well, don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll guide you on the next steps and ensure your furry family member gets the care they deserve.
For more tips on how to be prepared for pet emergencies, you can check out this article from PetMD.
At Advanced Veterinary Care of Orlando, we’re proud to offer advanced diagnostic tools, cutting-edge treatment options, and compassionate care when your pet needs it most. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
