What To Do In An Emergency
The process will be easier for both you and your pet if you know what to expect at our emergency veterinary clinic. Here are the steps you should follow:
STEP 1
Call Ahead If You Can
We understand that in an emergency, you may be unable to call us in advance, but it's always best if you can.
STEP 2
Get To Our Office Right Away
Stabilize your pet for transport and bring your pet to our Lithia Springs veterinary hospital immediately. When you arrive one of our team members will greet you and show you to an exam room. A veterinary technician will triage your pet, then a veterinarian will perform a full exam.
STEP 3
Determine Treatment
Once your pet has been assessed, 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.
Emergency Vet FAQs
Emergency veterinary care involves the treatment of animals in situations that require immediate medical attention or could potentially be life-threatening.
- What is considered an emergency?
These situations are considered 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.
- Obvious signs of extreme anxiety or pain
- Bleeding that hasn't stopped, or severe bleeding
- Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Pain associated with passing feces or urinating, or inability to pass feces or urinate
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in their urine
- Staggering and/or seizures
- 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
- Heatstroke or heat stress
- Unconsciousness
- What emergency services do you offer?
At our emergency clinic, we offer state-of-the-art emergency care for your four-legged family members. We are equipped to provide specialized diagnostics, a complete range of surgical services, critical care support, 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 emergency situations can develop very quickly and that's 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.
- When is your emergency clinic open?
Monday to Friday we are open from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am.
We are open on weekends from 12:00 pm Saturday until 8:00 am Monday.
We are open 24-hours on all major state and federal holidays.
- What communities in Georgia do you serve?
Our location in Lithia Springs is proud to serve Georgian pet owners west of the 285 corridors. Our patients come from all over the West Georgia region, reaching as far as Cartersville, Sharpsburg, Anniston, and beyond.
- 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.
Payment & Financing
At Westside Animal Emergency Clinic we'll help you navigate our options for payment and financing, so you can focus on getting your pet the care they need.
- What types of payment options are available?
Payment is due in full at the time services are provided. A full deposit is required when patients are hospitalized.
We accept payment via cash, Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express.
- Are there payment plans available for my pet's care?
We are proud to offer CareCredit and Scratchpay as financing options. They offer an easy application process that will send you results in minutes.
- Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?
Yes, we will provide a good-faith estimate of the cost of our services before treating your pet, however, unforeseen circumstances may arise that influence your final bill.
We will always discuss our written estimate with all clients before they leave our facility, and require a full deposit based on our estimate prior to any further treatment.
- What fees are associated with an emergency visit?
A deposit payment is required for all emergency examinations. Once the staff and doctors examine your pet, an estimate for treatment will be given to you to determine a treatment plan.
For further hospitalization, diagnostics or surgery, a deposit is required upfront with payment in full due when patients are hospitalized.
- Can you help with my pet insurance?
We’re happy to help you complete the pet insurance forms for your pet’s visit at our Lithia Springs animal hospital.
Our Emergency Veterinarians
Our emergency veterinarians are equipped and qualified to provide attentive emergency care on weekday evenings, overnight, weekends, and major holidays.