What To Do In An Emergency
Knowing what to expect when visiting our hospital during an emergency can help make the process easier for you and your pet.
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Step 1: Call Ahead If You Can
We understand that in an emergency, you may be unable to call us in advance, but it is beneficial to our team and your pet if you do. If you have time, you can also complete our New Patient Form before you arrive.
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Step 2: Get to our Emergency Department right away.
Upon your arrival, you will be directed to a seat or treatment area. If you have not already done so, you'll be asked to complete our New Patient Form. Your pet will be triaged by one of our team members before a full examination is performed by a veterinarian.
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Step 3: Assessment & Treatment Planning
Once your pet's assessment has been completed, our highly trained veterinarians will develop a treatment plan so your pet will receive the best possible treatment.
We will keep your primary care veterinarian updated with your pet's medical history to ensure seamless, integrated care that meets your pet's needs.
Payment & Financing
At Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island we'll help you navigate our options for payment and financing so you can focus on getting your pet the care they need.
Emergency Veterinarians
Our emergency veterinarians are equipped and qualified to provide attentive emergency care 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Our ER veterinarians also regularly collaborate with our veterinary specialists as well as referring primary care veterinarians to provide your beloved companion with the best possible care.
Critical Care Specialists
We are also staffed with board-certified veterinary criticalists who provide 24/7 monitoring and critical care services for pets that require intensive treatments, therapies and monitoring until their condition stabilizes.
Animal Emergency FAQs
Emergency veterinary care involves the treatment of animals in situations that require immediate medical attention or are potentially life-threatening.
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What is considered a veterinary emergency?
These situations are considered emergencies and will require immediate care. If your pet has experienced a sudden injury or illness, please call our emergency animal hospital right away.
Some of the signs that your pet is in need of emergency care include:
- Obvious signs of extreme anxiety or pain
- Bleeding that hasn't stopped, or severe bleeding
- Choking, difficulty breathing or continuous coughing/gagging
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Pain associated with passing feces or urinating, or inability to pass feces or urinate
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in urine
- Staggering and/or seizures
- Severe lameness, fractured bones or inability to move legs
- You know or suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; more than two episodes in 24 hours
- Heatstroke or heat stress
- Unconsciousness
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Do I need to call ahead?
We ask that you give us a call ahead of arrival whenever possible, but we understand emergency situations can develop very quickly and that you are not always able to do so.
If your situation does not allow time for you to call, please do not hesitate to bring your pet to our clinic for immediate veterinary medical attention.
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When is your emergency clinic open?
Our emergency and specialty animal hospital on Long Island is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
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How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
A veterinary emergency hospital is very similar to a human emergency department – unexpected arrivals and situations occur which can impact wait times.
We are not able to predict which cases we will see and when they will arrive, but we will prioritize cases based on medical needs.
We offer a comfortable waiting area, and we will do our best to keep you updated about wait times and the status of your pet.
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Will you keep in touch with our primary care veterinarian?
Yes, we will keep your primary care veterinarian updated with your pet's medical history and files to ensure your pet always receives seamless, integrated care.