How Urgent Care Can Save Your Pet's Life: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

When a pet suddenly becomes ill or is injured, as pet owners, our first thought is to help our furry friend and call our veterinarian. All the while hoping they have a spot open to see us right away. At Bixby Animal Hospital in Long Beach, CA, we are proud to offer urgent care to our community.  Our urgent care services allow you to bring your pet in immediately to be assessed and treated in a timely manner.

While urgent care situations may not initially be life-threatening, they can quickly develop into serious medical emergencies. Therefore, quick action by a vet is vital to your pets’ future health and survival. Below we'll explore illnesses and pet injury that require immediate attention and urgent care.

•             Toxic Ingestion - if your pet has swallowed or come in contact with a toxic substance call your vet immediately, and they will advise you on the next steps.

•             Trauma - whether due to an auto accident, fall, or animal bite, any blunt force to your pet should be examined. Even if they seem fine.

•             Bleeding - if your pet is bleeding for an unknown reason, and it doesn't stop after a few minutes, contact a pet urgent care facility right away. This includes blood in the urine or stool.

•             Vomiting and Diarrhea - while these are common conditions in pets, if it lasts more than 24 hours, contains blood, or seems extreme, an urgent care visit is needed.

•             Allergic Reaction - if your pet suddenly has trouble breathing, develops inflammation, or is coughing uncontrollably, it may have been exposed to an allergen and need medication to help control it.

•             Lethargy - if your pet is sleepier than normal, or you have trouble waking them up, this could be a sign of a serious condition.

•             Lack of appetite - when a pet does not eat for more than 24 hours it could be a sign of a serious illness developing.

Contact Our Veterinarian Near You Today

When looking for a veterinarian in Long Beach, CA, the friendly and compassionate team at Lakewood Pet Vet invites you to join our pet vet family. We offer both comprehensive wellness and urgent care that you can trust. We are open 7 days a week to assist you and your pet. Give us a call at (562) 925-2300 today.