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pet emergency
phone number directions directions
pet emergency

Client Visits

We are here to help with 24/7/365 emergency vet care and to give your pet the specialty veterinary medical attention that they need during visits.

Emergency Visits

If your pet is critically injured or is experiencing a medical emergency, please call us at 303.660.1027 or bring your pet to Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies immediately.

During a pet medical emergency, no appointment is required for emergency care. Upon your arrival, our experienced vet technicians will evaluate and prioritize your pet’s care on a first-come, first-served basis. Critical cases will take priority if other patients are waiting and stable. If you would prefer to wait in your car or if you need help entering our hospital, please call us at 303.660.1027.

Our emergency vet will then examine your pet and if they are stable, get a medical history. If x-rays or other tests are needed, we can complete those with your permission. We will discuss treatment recommendations with you and provide an itemized treatment plan, answering any questions you might have, and proceed with treatment upon your approval.

If your pet needs to be hospitalized, or requires ongoing veterinary critical care, our 24/7/365 vet hospital is prepared to help, and we will keep you and your family vet informed every step of the way. We will also do what we can to allow for short visits as requested during your pet’s treatment for the safest, most compassionate care possible.

Learn more on our FAQs page. If your pet is with us specifically for overnight care, you can also learn more here.

Is My Pet Experiencing an Emergency?

If you think your pet is having an emergency, please call us at 303.660.1027 or bring them to our 24 hour emergency vet clinic. Medical emergencies for pets may include:

  • Your pet was hit by a car or had a blunt object fall more than a few feet onto them, especially if you suspect broken bones.
  • Your pet is unconscious, is not breathing, or you can’t find a heartbeat.
  • Your pet is having difficulty breathing, has blue gums, or a blue tongue.
  • Your pet has been vomiting or has had diarrhea for over 24 hours, or he or she is vomiting blood or has bloody diarrhea.
  • Your pet appears to have had, or is having a seizure.
  • Your pet is bleeding. Also, look for blood in the urine or feces, or blood coming from the eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • You think your pet ate something poisonous like antifreeze, rat poison, household cleaners, or any medicine that wasn’t prescribed for them. Other things that are toxic to dogs include chocolate, xylitol (found in sugar-free gum), grapes, or raisins.
  • It may also be an emergency if your pet swallowed a foreign object.
  • Your pet is showing signs of being in extreme pain and is whining, shaking, or refusing to socialize.
  • Your pet cannot or will not stand up, begins to bump into things, seems disoriented, or is fainting or collapsing.
  • Your pet’s abdomen is swollen and hard to the touch—especially if that is combined with gagging and trying to vomit.
  • Your pet was bitten by a snake that you think might be poisonous.
  • Your pet has experienced a trauma or injury to the eye(s).
  • Your pet appears to have heat stroke.
  • Your pet has a penetrating wound like a bite, stab, or gunshot wound.
  • Your pet is in labor and is having unsuccessful contractions for more than one hour.
  • Your pet has a swollen face or hives, indicating an allergic reaction.

CREATE YOUR OWN PET FIRST AID KIT

Use our checklist of first aid items to be prepared for minor emergencies or to care for your pet before heading to the ER.

DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST

What can I expect if I bring my pet into Veterinary Specialists of the Rockies with an emergency?

Our usual evaluation and treatment of emergency cases include:

  • Check-in and initial assessment—We welcome you to bring your pet into our hospital, and masks are optional based on CDC guidelines. One of our experienced veterinary technicians will evaluate and prioritize your pet’s care on a first-come, first-served basis, with critical cases taking priority if other patients are waiting and stable. If you prefer to wait in your car while we evaluate and treat your pet, call us at 303.660.1027 when you arrive, and a member of our team will meet you curbside.
  • Exam and consultation—If your pet is in stable condition, we will examine them and get a medical history from you or your family veterinarian.
  • An ER veterinarian on our emergency veterinary services team will further examine your pet. If x-rays or other tests are needed, we can complete those with your permission. Our emergency vet will discuss treatment recommendations with you and provide an itemized treatment plan. We will answer any questions you might have, and proceed with treatment upon your approval.
  • Treatment—Depending upon the nature of the illness or injury, there may be either inpatient or outpatient options recommended. You may be recommended to one of our veterinary specialists or you may be able to pick up your pet in the morning and take them to your family vet for care during their normal office hours.
  • Admission to the Hospital—If needed (and upon your approval), your pet will be admitted to our animal hospital for additional care. With your permission, this could result in further examination and treatment by one of our specialists in internal medicine, critical care, veterinary surgery, oncology, or diagnostic imaging.

Specialty Visits

To consult or meet with our board-certified medical specialists in internal medicine, critical care, veterinary surgery, oncology, or diagnostic imaging, please schedule an appointment in advance.

Your family veterinarian may refer you to us for help with diagnosing and caring for your pet, or a second opinion. Before we advise you on a treatment plan, we will need to have your pet’s medical history and a list of their current medications and dosage. Our compassionate care team can reach out to your vet if you provide us their name or contact information, or they can share your pet’s medical records (x-rays, blood work, medication, and other medical history) with us via email at records@vsrockies.com.

During your pet’s specialty visit, our vet specialist will examine and evaluate your pet. If needed, with your permission, other diagnostic procedures may be performed. We will discuss your pet’s diagnosis and treatment options and answer any questions. The information that we gather during your pet’s appointment, including any diagnostic results and your pet’s diagnosis, will be shared with your family veterinarian following your appointment. We will work together with your family vet to be sure that our recommended treatment plan is the most optimal for your pet.

When it’s Time for Your Pet to Go Home – the Discharge Process

After an emergency visit or hospital stay with us, our experienced veterinary technicians, emergency doctors, and specialists will:

  • Arrange the pick-up time with you for your pet
  • Discharge your pet to you with full instructions on immediate and follow-up care, including medications
  • Review the instructions with you and share any care recommendations
  • Help you book any follow-up appointments, will ask you to pay your pet’s veterinary bill, and answer any questions that you may have

Sharing Information with Your Family Veterinarian

Your family vet is a big part of your pet’s care team. We will share a complete record of your pet’s examination and any laboratory test results or radiographs with your family veterinarian after your visit to help provide continuity of care.

Communications with Our Team

24/7/365, we make every effort to respond to phone calls or voicemail messages as quickly as possible. Our experienced veterinary technicians can help with many areas of concern quickly over the phone, with support from our emergency doctors and specialists in internal medicine, critical care, veterinary surgery, oncology, and diagnostic imaging.