Overview

We know how stressful it can be if your pet experiences a sudden emergency, and we want owners to feel more prepared in case they need to seek emergency veterinary care. I thought we'd go over some common questions our clients ask. The first one is, I think my pet is experiencing a medical emergency, what should I do?

If you think your pet is experiencing an emergency, it's important to get them to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible. I recommend that while you're on your way to the veterinary hospital, you give us a call so that we can expect your arrival. Some common emergencies that definitely need emergency veterinary care include any sort of bleeding or trauma, any sort of difficulty breathing, any sort of vomiting, or attempting to vomit even if nothing is coming up, straining or difficulty urinating, seizures, collapse, or anything that's causing you any type of concern.

The next question is what should not be done in an emergency? And there are three main things that I would recommend you do not do at home. The first is, if you think that your pet has ingested something toxic I do not recommend you try to induce vomiting without speaking with a veterinarian. There are some things that can cause more damage coming back up than staying where they are if they've already made it into the stomach. I also do not recommend giving any sort of over the counter pain medications to your pets. These are very toxic to dogs and cats. And the final thing, which is the most important, but also the most difficult, is to try not to panic. We need you to get you and your pet here to us at the hospital as quickly as possible, but also as safely as possible.

How can I get my pet to the emergency hospital safely? If your pet is unable to walk or has experienced some sort of trauma, I recommend that you take a large towel, or a blanket, depending on the size of your animal, and wrap them in it so that you can assist them to your vehicle. I also recommend that you be very careful when you're doing so. Not only are we worried about your pet safety, but we're also worried about your safety. And animals that are scared, or painful, or are neurologically inappropriate, either because they have had a seizure or they're currently having a seizure, they can bite. And so I just recommend that you stay away from their face as much as possible and transport them to the veterinary hospital.

The final question that we get asked a lot is: Why should I call my veterinarian when I'm on the way to the hospital with an emergency? Calling us and alerting us that you're on the way in, allows us to mobilize the people that are going to assist you and your pet when they get here. It's going to allow us to know that you're on your way, to start to set up equipment or medications that we may need to stabilize your pet, and it just reduces the lag time between when your pet comes into the lobby and when we can start the lifesaving measures to stabilize your animal. If you'd like to ask any further questions about veterinary emergencies, please don't hesitate to give us a call. And as I always tell my clients, if you are worried, we're worried.

So, please bring your pet in for evaluation whenever you feel you need to.

24 Hour Emergency Vet Services

If your pet has a medical emergency during your primary care veterinarian's regular office hours, we recommend first contacting him or her for a professional recommendation. If your veterinarian is not available, or requires a critical care facility, we recommend you immediately bring your pet to our emergency 24 hour animal hospital for treatment.

If you think your pet may be sick or injured and you're not sure exactly what to do, please call our 24 hour vet care line at (504) 290-0025. When you call, one of our experienced emergency vet care team members can help assess the situation and determine whether your pet needs to be seen by our emergency team.

We Are Always Ready For Emergency Care

Our emergency facility is staffed and equipped to respond to any medical or surgical need. From simple as a bee sting to severe trauma, our staff are prepared to care for your pet and help you through a stressful time.

We strive to provide our patients' human companions with prompt, attentive, compassionate and personal service from the very first moment a patient arrives. This includes establishing a quick, clear line of communication to the primary care veterinarian when possible. We want you to be informed and comforted throughout the process, because we know how important and irreplaceable your beloved family friend is to you and your family.

Our Emergency Animal Hospital Is Prepared For Any Critical Situation, Such As:

• Traumatic injuries - fractures, bites, burns, lacerations

• Automobile accidents

• Respiratory emergencies, choking, breathing problems

• Vomiting, diarrhea

• Difficulty urinating or defecating

• Shock or loss of consciousness

• Seizures

• Toxic reactions, poison ingestion

• Labor and pregnancy problems

• Blood in urine or feces

• Heatstroke

• Postoperative or post-anesthetic problems

• Pain management

• Inability or unwillingness to eat

• And more

Our Emergency Vet Clinic Is Equipped With The Following:

• 24 hour care and monitoring by veterinarians and technicians

• Complete diagnostic lab for immediate test results

• Emergency surgery

• Digital radiography and ultrasound

• Oxygen therapy

• Pulse-Oximetry, End-Tidal CO2, blood pressure and continuous ECG monitoring

• Continuous rate infusion for IV fluids and meds

• Advanced pain management

• Endoscopy

• Nutritional support

Referrals From Other Veterinary Clinics

If your pet is already a patient of the Metairie Small Animal Hospital network, our emergency vet clinic team will make contact with your primary care veterinarian in order to begin collaborating as soon as possible. However, even if your primary care provider is a member of another practice, we will treat your family veterinarian as an integral part of our team.

Financial Concerns

We know that having a pet with emergency medical needs can be stressful. In addition to providing all the care needed, we will also work with your budget. We accept all major credit cards and have payment plans available thru Carecredit.

No Appointments Necessary For Emergency Vet Services

When every second counts, Metairie Small Animal Hospital's 24 hour vet team is here to help you and your pet overcome whatever medical crisis is taking place. Our emergency animal hospital provides immediate care for your pet without the need for an appointment or any advance notice whatsoever.

When possible, you are welcome to call us before you come or when you are on your way, so that we can prepare for your arrival. However, we do not want to add to the time it takes to get your pet the emergency vet care services they need. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, if your pet needs emergency vet clinic services in the Metairie area, we are here for you