Urgent Care Veterinary Services

Urgent Care at Lady Hammond Animal Hospital

Urgent care differs from emergency veterinary care because it handles serious but non-life-threatening issues. Urgent issues may resemble emergency cases, but they are less severe.

Lady Hammond Animal Hospital is not an emergency veterinary clinic. Our team can accommodate urgent cases for dogs and cats by appointment only.

We will discuss your pet's condition with you and determine whether to book an appointment or refer you to the emergency veterinary clinic listed on this page for more immediate care.

Call Us For Advice

What to do if your pet needs urgent care?

Stay Calm: Try to remain calm and be extra cautious around your cat or dog. Pain can lead even the most loving dog or cat to react negatively toward a person trying to help.

Call Ahead: Call us right away. During our regular business hours, we will make every effort to provide urgent veterinary care. If we are unable to see your pet with our current schedule, you will be directed to contact one of the other clinics in the city or to the clinic on call.

Follow the Provided Instructions: When you call to notify the hospital that you are on your way, you may be given instructions on how to administer first aid or make your cat or dog feel as comfortable as possible. Follow those steps as carefully as you can.

Situations That Require Urgent Veterinary Care

We know that it can be challenging to know when urgent care is required for your pet.

The following are examples of situations that require urgent attention:

• Ear or Eye Issues
• Bite Wounds or Lacerations
• Limping
• Nail or Paw Issues
• Abscesses
• Coughing or Sneezing
• Decreased Appetite 
• Hives, Swelling or Allergic Reactions
• New or Worsening Bad Breath
• Urinary Problems
• Fever
• Inability to Urinate or Feces

Signs That Your Pet Needs Emergency Care

An emergency is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires immediate care.

The following situations are examples of emergencies:

• Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
• Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
• Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
• Fractured bones or severe lameness
• Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
• Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea; 2+ episodes in 24-hours
• Injuries to the eye(s)
• Ingesting Something Poisonous: Antifreeze, Xylitol, Chocolate, Rodent poison, etc.
• Heat stress or heatstroke
• Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
• Unconsciousness