Common Questions

How is an Emergency Hospital different from my primary veterinarian's hospital?

Working at an emergency hospital can be very fast-paced; with one shift or day never quite like another. The job presents a unique set of challenges in working with a variety of animals and their conditions. Clients are often emotionally upset due to the strain of worrying about their pet and the staff has many demands on their time and skills. The fast pace, unique caseload, emotional rewards of successfully treating an ill or injured pet is what attracts professionals to this kind of demanding but rewarding work.

What happens in the middle of the night? Is there anyone here to watch my pet?

We have veterinarians on site from 8 AM until 6 PM Monday through Saturday and from 8 AM until 4 PM on Sunday. The Intensive Care Ward is staffed with critical care nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so that your pet can be closely monitored and treated around the clock. From 8 PM until 8 AM doctors are on call should the nursing staff have questions or concerns about your pet.

Do you provide "regular" preventative care like vaccines etc?

We provide only emergency and critical care. Routine preventative care is best provided by your primary family veterinarian.

Why do some pets/ clients get seen by a doctor before others, even though they have been waiting longer?

The nature of all emergency medical facilities is to treat the most critically ill or seriously injured patients first. This is called "triage". Sometimes the most seriously ill patients do not appear that way to the untrained eye. Pets may be in shock, metabolic crisis, heart failure or have severe internal organ damage. The process of "triaging" may not be convenient for all, but it is the way we must function to fulfill our obligation to you and your pet.