Nicollet Veterinary Clinic
What is an Emergent Situation?
This may vary with each animal or the experience of the owner, but we think of an emergency as a life-threatening situation.
The following are examples of conditions that may qualify:
Lacerations with lots of blood loss or other trauma
Eating, or a history of eating poison
Actions of the animal that are strange or very abnormal, seizures
Difficulty in breathing
Straining to urinate, painful urination, or blood in the urine
Frequent or uncontrollable vomiting
Loss of consciousness
Symptoms and behaviors of conditions that require urgent care often overlap with those that require emergency visits.
We don’t expect pet parents to be able to distinguish which is which. If you are unsure if your pet needs to be seen for an emergency appointment, call our clinic and speak to one of our doctors who will help interpret your pet’s behaviors to determine if an emergency visit or urgent care visit is appropriate.
What is an Urgent Situation?
An urgent situation is a condition that needs to be seen soon but does not qualify as an emergent situation. These conditions can typically wait to be seen during regular business hours.
Examples of Urgent Situations
The following are examples of conditions that may apply:
Coughing and sneezing
Vomiting or diarrhea
Eye discharge and squinting
Fever
Not drinking or eating
Skin allergies
Mild lameness or limping
Difficulty walking
