Emergency Care

The emergency hospital at Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. If you're experiencing an emergency situation, please call 585-424-1277 for immediate assistance. The following provides very basic information on various symptoms and conditions pets sometimes face, and our veterinarians and support staff are ready to help you and your pet no matter the day or time.

Veterinarians

Click image or name to view a doctor's bio.


Sarah Brawdy, DVM	Kim Dodge, DVM	Simon Kirk, DVM, Hospital Co-Director

Johnny Lamb, DVM	Thomas Linnenbrink, DVM	Joseph Wilder, DVM, Diplomate ABVP

Specialty Coordinators

Click image or name to view a coordinator's bio.

The emergency coordinators: Martinique and Laurie support the attending veterinarians with many functions. A primary role is to provide accurate, timely and compassionate updates to owners regarding the status of their pet. Rounding with the doctors at the beginning of each shift ensures they are informed about patient progress. The coordinators assist the doctors with discharge instructions and facilitate follow-up calls to make sure pets are doing well at home. They provide husbandry for the patients and are familiar with all billing protocols.


Martinique Bonter, ACA	Laurie Hunter, ACA	Renee Cook, ACA

Illness

Abdominal Pain

Signs:

Whining, listless/restless, lethargic, arching back, unable to get comfortable, vomiting/ diarrhea, bloated or distended abdomen.

Action:

DO NOT give your pet food or water — this may induce vomiting and make the condition worse. Abdominal pain can be very serious and is often life threatening if not addressed. Limit the activity of your pet, carry them if possible. You can put small pets in a box or carrier. Call a veterinarian immediately and seek professional help as soon as possible.

Allergic Reaction

Signs:

Fever, vomiting/diarrhea, hives, scratching, chewing at feet, swollen face or puffiness around eyes, trouble breathing.

Action:

Call a veterinarian immediately. Allergic reactions should be treated as soon as possible to prevent shock. An exam by a veterinarian should still be performed on your pet, even if the reaction gets better. It may be appropriate to give the animal over-the-counter antihistamine, Diphenhydramine, IF you have spoken to your veterinarian in advance and have received approval.

Cardiac Emergencies

Signs:

Collapse,weakness, bluish or gray gum color, rapid/slow heart rate.

Action:

Call and seek veterinary care immediately. Such emergencies should not be taken lightly as they are often life threatening. Limit your pet’s activity, carry them if possible. If your pet stops breathing or loses consciousness, view the pet CPR section.

Diarrhea

Action:

A few episodes of diarrhea can be due to stress or change in the animal’s diet. Make sure that your pet continues to drink water and substitute a bland diet for 12-24 hours. If the diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours, seek veterinary care immediately. If your pet is showing other signs of illness (vomiting/lethargy/weakness) do not wait 12 to 24 hours, seek veterinary care as soon as possible. If there appears to be blood in your pet’s diarrhea, seek veterinary attention right away. Diarrhea can often be a symptom of more serious illness or disease.

Ear Emergencies

Signs:

Scratching at ears, shaking head, whining, head tilting, swollen/puffy ear flap, strange odor or discharge from ear(s).

Action:

See your regular veterinarian within 24 hours or call Animal Emergency Service to discuss your pet’s particular symptoms.

Eye Emergencies

Signs:

Squinting, discharge/tearing, redness, swelling, bleeding, different pupil size

Action:

If there is an obvious laceration or foreign object in or around the eye, seek veterinary care immediately. DO NOT try to bandage the laceration or remove the object. If the source of the irritation is known to be chemical or fine debris/dirt, flush the eye(s) with sterile saline (or clean water) immediately for 5 to 10 minutes and then seek veterinary care. Eye injuries and infections can get worse very quickly, IMMEDIATE diagnosis and treatment is critical in the preservation of your pet’s eyesight.

Heat Emergencies and Dehydration

Signs:

Panting (excessive), lethargic, unable to stand, uncoordinated movements, vomiting or diarrhea.

Action:

Move your pet to a cool area as soon as possible, seek shade or the indoors. Keep them calm and still, DO NOT try to get them to stop panting, this is how your pet expels heat. If water is near by, encourage your pet to stand or lay down in cool water. Put small amounts of water on the tongue, or offer them ice cubes to eat. If not vomiting, your pet should respond rapidly (10 to 15 minutes). If your pet does not seem to respond to the cooling therapy, if they lose consciousness or have great difficulty breathing, or the skin on the back of their neck does not spring back to normal position immediately when pulled, seek veterinary care immediately. Light colored animals can get sunburned just like people. Encourage them to stay in the shade and ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on sunblocks for your pet.

Neurological Emergencies

Signs:

Inability to use limb(s), unable to stand, circling, seizures, head tilt, abnormal behavior.

Action:

Seek veterinary care as soon as possible, neurologic disease is difficult to treat and is often very serious. If your pet is unable to walk, carry them to the car. If they are too big to carry, use a towel (under the abdomen, in front of rear legs) to support the hind end or use a heavy blanket as a stretcher to carry them to the car. Professional diagnosis and treatment is recommended as soon as possible.

Respiratory Emergencies

Signs:

Collapse,weakness, bluish or gray gum color, rapid or shallow breathing.

Action:

Call and seek veterinary care immediately. Such emergencies should not be taken lightly as they are often life threatening. Look in your pet’s mouth, look for any foreign object that may be obstructing the airway. ONLY try to remove the object (with tweezers or pliers) if it is COMPLETELY stopping your pet from breathing. If they can still pass some air (wheezing) get them to a veterinary hospital as soon as possible. Limit your pet’s activity, carry them if possible. If your pet stops breathing or loses consciousness, view the pet CPR section.

Seizures

Signs:

Shaking (uncontrollably), tremors, strange facial movements, unable to stand, paddling (swimming action) with paws, loss of bowel or urinary control.

Action:

DO NOT try to restrain your pet during an episode. Move objects away that may cause injury during the seizure and, if possible, place the animal onto a soft surface, such as carpeting. CALL a veterinarian immediately. Try to get your pet to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible.

Urinary Emergencies

Signs:

Frequent urination or straining, blood in urine, difficulty urinating, vomiting.

Action:

Animals can develop urinary blockage and infections just like people. Once you have detected the signs of a problem, CALL your veterinarian and take your pet in as soon as possible. The problem most likely has been going on longer than you realized. DO NOT wait and observe the pet to see how they do.

Vomiting

Action:

Look for signs of foreign material or strange food in the vomit. When you call the veterinarian, let them know of any recent history of your pet eating foreign objects or new foods (trash). Rest the stomach for 4-6 hours by offering no food and water. Then try small amounts of water and bland food every two hours. If there is no further vomiting, you can return your pet to a normal diet. If the vomiting persists, or if your pet shows other signs of illness, seek veterinary care immediately. If your pet has unproductive vomiting, see your veterinarian immediately.

Injury

How to Approach an Injured Animal

Approach the animal slowly while talking in a calm, soothing voice. ALWAYS muzzle an animal in pain or have someone restrain the head before examining the injured area.Try to assess the nature of the emergency as quickly as possible. Call a veterinarian as soon as possible and seek professional care for your pet immediately.

Bite Wounds

Action:

As always, approach the animal slowly. Injured animals often communicate their pain through aggressive or defensive actions, especially after a bite injury. MUZZLE the animal or have someone restrain the head. Examine the entire animal for bleeding, lacerations or pain. Multiple bite wounds can be hard to find under thick coats. If you cannot quickly reach a veterinarian, flush each wound with saline (if not available clean water will do). Wrap large wounds as best as possible, small wounds can be left uncovered. DO NOT use tourniquets to stop bleeding — use firm pressure if needed. Seek veterinary care IMMEDIATELY — bite wounds often need to be flushed extensively, sutured, and/or surgically addressed to help prevent infection. Wounds that are managed shortly after injury occurs require less intensive care.

Burns

Action:

First aid for chemical, electrical or thermal (heat) burns: Immediately flush the area with cool water for 5 minutes. After flushing, apply a cold compress to the area for 10 to 15 minutes. NEVER apply the ice pack directly to the skin. Wrap the pack in a thin towel or available material. Call a veterinarian immediately and seek professional help and examination. Burns do need to be addressed immediately and can be life threatening when severe.

Cold Emergencies

Signs:

Shivering (excessive, relentless), lethargy, weakness, inability to use limbs.

Action:

Remove your pet from the wind and cold into a warm place. Wrap your pet in warm (woolen) and dry blankets or clothing. DO NOT rub your pet with the blankets, this can damage cold tissue and make frostbite worse. Try to raise your pet’s body temperature slowly. Hot water bottles (wrapped in towels to avoid direct contact with skin) can be used under the blankets to help increase your pet’s temperature. To take your pet’s temperature, use only an approved rectal thermometer. Normal temperature should be 100 to 102.5 degrees. If an area is discolored (bluish or pale), the body part or skin may have been frozen and is exhibiting signs of frostbite. Take the animal out of the cold and transport to the nearest veterinary hospital. DO NOT use electric heat in any form!

Fractures

Signs:

Pain, not using a limb, limb looks bent or swollen.

Action:

MUZZLE the animal or have someone restrain the head. Check the limb for open wounds or bleeding. If excessive bleeding, wrap the area with a towel or other available material while trying not to move the limb. DO NOT pull on the limb in an attempt to align the fracture, such action can result in further injury and increased bleeding. Stabilize the limb as best as possible (carry your pet if possible) and seek professional help immediately. DO NOT give any pain medications to your pet (some are toxic to animals) unless instructed to do so by a veterinarian. Avoid wrapping the leg, as it is easy to impede blood circulation.

Insect Bites & Tick Removal

Action:

Like people, animals vary in their reactions to insect venom. The response can range from mild irritation to allergic shock. Check the area for any remaining stinger or insect, remove them and cleanse the area with soap and water. Cool wet towels or gauze can be used (for 20 to 30 minutes) to soothe the area. Watch your pet for signs of allergic reaction (see allergy section and follow the instructions if needed). Be particularly mindful of difficulties breathing. When returning from a park or a hike, check thoroughly for ticks by running your fingers through your pet’s entire coat, and inspecting the paws, pads, between toes and inside floppy ears. To remove a tick, use small tweezers to firmly grip the tick's mouth parts as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight outward. Apply an antiseptic to the bitten area. After removing, destroy the tick by immersing it in alcohol. Save the tick, marking the date it was found on the body, in the event that symptoms arise and identification of the tick becomes necessary.

Ticks can transmit diseases to pets and humans that the ticks contract from a previous host. These diseases include Lyme, ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted, however the risk of transmission can be minimized by prompt removal of ticks once detected. In general, while they are capable of transmitting disease, they are usually nothing more than a nuisance.

Lacerations

Action:

As always, approach the animal slowly. Injured animals are often aggressive or defensive. MUZZLE the animal or have someone restrain the head. Examine the entire animal for bleeding, lacerations or pain. Multiple lacerations can be hard to find under thick fur. Wrap large lacerations as best as possible, small wounds can be left uncovered. DO NOT use tourniquets to stop bleeding, use firm pressure if needed. Seek veterinary care IMMEDIATELY, lacerations often need to be flushed extensively or sutured to help prevent infection.

Toxins

Poisoning

Signs:

Disorientation, vomiting, seizures, weakness, retching, salivating (excessive).

Action:

CALL a veterinarian immediately. If the source of the poisoning is known have the container with you when you call. You will need information on the packaging to determine the appropriate treatment. If the source is unknown, seek emergency assistance IMMEDIATELY. Treatment should be started as soon as possible to minimize absorption of the poison. If professional medical help is unavailable, call Poison Control at 585-275-3232 or the ASPCA at 888-426-4435. Please make a note of the case number provided by poison control, your veterinarian will need it for reference. If possible, bring the toxic agent with you to the doctor.

Common Conditions

For a list and description of common canine and feline conditions please click on the links below.