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Here are a few examples of medical emergencies for pets:
Respiratory symptoms such as coughing can result from many different things, including common pathogens (such as viruses or bacteria), environmental factors, or occasionally from something more serious (such as heart disease)
For mild respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, sneezing, and runny eyes/nose) and if your pet is otherwise healthy, it’s appropriate to monitor your pet at home and contact your veterinarian as needed.
Contact your vet or bring your pet in for evaluation if:
It’s especially important to see the veterinarian if these signs occur in a high-risk dog, including:
Many respiratory illnesses can be highly contagious. If you bring your pet to your primary veterinarian or to our hospital with respiratory symptoms, we recommend calling from your car upon arrival. This limits contact with other pets and expedites the check-in process. Always contact our hospital or your primary veterinarian if you have concerns about the seriousness of your pet’s condition.
You can bring a small toy or blanket if you would like. We prefer that pets use the beds that we provide for sanitary purposes. You can also bring the food he or she usually eats, as long as the pet is not on a raw (BARF-type) diet.
Hospital visits are on a case-by-case basis and typically set up in advance, and typically for a short period. We understand that visiting your pet while they are away from home is something that every pet and their person wants. We will do everything possible to work with you, and please know that your pet’s health care is our top priority.
There are many pet health insurance companies and plans available. Most have a waiting period before coverage begins. You may want to discuss options with your family vet.
We ask for your assistance in following these guidelines to help us provide the best care to all patients in our care. We allow family members of our hospitalized patients to visit when possible, generally in small groups and set up in advance.
A member of our staff will call you to review instructions for pick up and at-home care. We will also recommend a follow-up visit with either one of our specialists or with your family veterinarian, depending upon what is most appropriate.