When to See an Urgent Care Vet or Emergency Vet

Emergencies don't wait for office visits. Some life-threatening emergencies require a full-service animal hospital or emergency vet. However, many more minor emergencies can be treated by an urgent care vet. At Pet Urgent Care of Enterprise, we offer walk-in emergency and routine veterinary care with extended hours.

Patient Severity Index

One way to know if your pet needs to visit an urgent care vet or emergency vet is the patient severity index. The index rates the severity of illnesses and injuries from 1-5.

Level 1-2

Level 1 means your pet needs immediate resuscitation, which means they may die without immediate care. This includes serious physical trauma, cardiac arrest, and inability to breathe.

Level 2 care is still very urgent. This includes snake bites, heat stroke, and trauma that is serious but may not necessarily be life-threatening.

Level 1 and 2 care should be provided by a full-service animal hospital or emergency vet.

Level 3 Care

Level 3 care can be provided by an urgent care vet. This means your pet needs prompt care, but their life isn't in danger. Level 3 situations include serious cuts, difficulty walking, frequent diarrhea or vomiting, and difficulty urinating.

Level 4 and 5 Care

Levels 4 and 5 are less serious. This means your pet needs to be seen by the vet, but it's not serious enough to require immediate care. An urgent care vet can handle these issues as well. These include small cuts or minor injuries, limping, and loss of appetite.

Signs Your Pet Needs Urgent Veterinary Care

• Your pet may need urgent veterinary care if they've had an accident or injury. 
• If they are limping or have a cut that requires stitches, you should bring them to urgent care.
• If they have vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't subside quickly, this also requires prompt care. Bloody diarrhea is another sign you should bring your pet in on the same day.
• If they are having difficulty breathing from a respiratory infection, you'll need to see the urgent care vet. 
• Lethargy, stumbling, or seeming disoriented are also indications your pet needs urgent care.
• Lastly, if they are having difficulty urinating or defecating, you should contact your vet or bring them into urgent care.

What to Do If Your Pet Needs Urgent Care

If you think your pet needs urgent care, there are a few steps you should take. You can choose to bring your pet in as a walk-in. Remember, an urgent care vet can treat minor illnesses and injuries as well. However, if you are unsure if your pet needs urgent or emergency care, give your emergency vet a call. They can tell you where to take your pet for care.

Urgent Care Vet—Open Saturdays and Sundays at Pet Urgent Care of Enterprise in Enterprise, AL

If you are looking for an urgent care veterinarian who is open on Saturdays and Sundays, contact us at Pet Urgent Care of Enterprise in Enterprise, AL, by calling (334) 417-1166. We treat many serious conditions, including minor or moderate injuries, dehydration, and gastrointestinal issues. We can also treat your pet if they are limping or seem to be in pain. We offer extended and weekend hours so you can get your pet the care they need fast.