Wild Animals and Birds
If you find a wild animal or bird in need of medical assistance contact Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center Inc (941) 778-6324 or you can reach Justin Mathews with Mathews Wildlife Rescue at (941) 822-3272.
Steps to Take in a Pet Emergency
If your pet is experiencing a veterinary emergency, follow the steps below.
- Call Ahead If Possible - Call one of the emergency veterinary clinics listed above right away during an emergency situation to let them know you are on the way so they can ensure they are prepared to take care of your pet.
- Follow Instructions Provided - Follow any instructions given to you by the professional you speak with after calling in the emergency very carefully. This is to ensure you and your pet are as safe and comfortable as possible while traveling to the emergency hospital.
- Remain Calm - Animals in pain are often confused about the situation, and prone to acting, unlike their usual selves. Attempts to help might be greeted with aggression; it's important not to let yourself get flustered or overwhelmed by the situation, even when your pet is not being wholly cooperative.
- Bring Your Pet In For Care - Having called in and carefully followed any further instructions, it's time to bring your dog or cat in for their emergency examination. The emergency veterinary clinic can triage your pet and prepare them for emergency treatment. All of the above-listed emergency hospitals are open 24/7, 365 days a year.
Emergency Veterinary Care FAQs
Read through our most frequently asked questions below to learn more about emergency care provided by the 24/7 emergency veterinary clinics in the area.
- Do I need to call ahead?
It is always best to call the emergency hospital right away to let them know you are on the way. This allows them to be prepared to start treating your pet once they come through the doors. Every minute counts in an emergency. They will however understand if in the moment it is not possible. If you are unable under any circumstances to call ahead, please do not neglect to bring your pet in regardless in the case of an emergency.
- What situations require emergency veterinary care?
If your dog or cat experiences any of the following, they are likely to require immediate medical care, contact one of the emergency veterinary clinics listed above if you observe any of these behaviors.
- Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
- Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
- Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
- Fractured bones or severe lameness
- Seizures and/or staggering
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
- Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; 2+ episodes in 24-hours
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Heat stress or heatstroke
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Unconsciousness
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
There is no way to know what emergency cases will have come before you. At all of the emergency clinics listed above, patients are treated in accordance with their needs, so wait times will vary unpredictably based on the severity and volume of emergency cases.
In an emergency situation, you don't want to make your pet wait, so if one clinic is busy, try calling one of the other clinics to see if they can help sooner.
- What happens if my pet needs to stay in the hospital?
If your pet requires overnight observation, these 24/7 veterinary clinics will have staff on hand at all times to take care of your pet's needs and monitor them closely even through the night.
- What should I do if my pet needs urgent care in non-emergency situations?
If your pet is experiencing intense discomfort or any other ailment which should not wait any longer than necessary for treatment, reach out to the emergency veterinary hospitals listed above stand they will do their best to fit your pet in between emergency cases, even if the illness or injury does not qualify as being an "emergency". Call the emergency vet ahead of time and the receptionist should be able to give you an estimate on how long you may have to wait in order to be seen.