At Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital, we are here to help. Our dedicated veterinarians are specially trained in emergency medicine and triage and provide quality, compassionate care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

(570) 424-6773

What To Do In A Vet Emergency

If you know what to expect at our emergency veterinary clinic, the process will be easier for both you and your pet. Here are the steps you should follow:

STEP 1
Call Ahead If You Can

We understand that in an emergency, you may not be able to call us in advance, but it's always best if you can. If you have time, you can also complete our New Patient Form before you arrive.

STEP 2
Get To Our Office Right Away

You'll be shown to an exam room by one of our team members. If you have not already done so, you'll be asked to complete our New Patient Form. A veterinary technician will triage your pet, then a veterinarian will perform a full exam.

STEP 3
Determine Treatment

Once your pet has been examined, 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.

Veterinary Emergency FAQs

When we provide emergency veterinary care, we treat animals in situations that need immediate medical attention or that may be life-threatening.

  • What is considered an emergency?

    These situations are deemed emergencies and will require immediate care. If your pet has had an accident or is experiencing any of these symptoms, bring them to our emergency office straight away.

    • Bleeding that hasn't stopped, or severe bleeding 
    • Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
    • Staggering and/or seizures
    • Heatstroke or heat stress 
    • Pain associated with passing feces or urinating, or inability to pass feces or urinate 
    • Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
    • 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
    • Injuries to the eye(s)
    • Obvious signs of extreme anxiety or pain
    • Unconsciousness
  • What emergency services do you offer?

    When you bring your four-legged best friend to our emergency clinic, you can count on them receiving state-of-the-art emergency care. We are equipped to provide specialized diagnostics, a complete range of surgical services, and hospitalization. 

  • Do I need to call ahead?

    If you can, it's always best to call us ahead of your arrival, but we understand emergencies can develop very quickly and that this is not always possible. 

    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. 

    It always is best to call us ahead if you can, but we understand that in emergencies that's not always possible.

  • When is your emergency clinic open?

    We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

  • How long will we have to wait to see the vet?

    A veterinary emergency hospital is very similar to a human emergency department — the pace can be unpredictable and you may have to wait. 

    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. 

    You'll find a comfortable area for waiting, and we will do our best to keep you updated about wait times and the status of your pet.  

  • 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 receives seamless integrated care. 

Our Emergency Veterinarians

Our emergency veterinarians are equipped and qualified to provide attentive emergency care 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Meet Our Emergency Vets