Frequently Asked Questions

Experiencing a pet emergency can be frightening when you aren’t sure what is wrong with your pet or what you should do about it. At the Veterinary Emergency Group, we recommend calling in to talk with one of our doctors about your concerns to ensure that the problem is addressed promptly. Below is a list of some of our most frequently asked questions along with their answers:

Why is my pet vomiting?

Your pet could be vomiting for a number of reasons. They may have ingested something that made them sick, which could be serious, or they may simply need to get something out of their system. Some questions to prepare to answer when you call to talk with a doctor are:

• How many times has your pet vomited?
• How long has this been going on?
• Is there blood in the vomit?
• Have they consumed anything strange or unusual that you know of?

What do I do if my pet ate chocolate?

While chocolate does contain toxins that can affect your pet, sometimes pets who ingest chocolate in small amounts are unaffected. We recommend that you call us to talk about the symptoms that you observe, if any.

What do I do if my pet ate something not meant for consumption?

Our pets are known for consuming things that are not meant for consumption, from socks and parts of their toys to bones and even more unusual items. We always recommend that you contact us immediately if your pet has consumed something inedible. An x-ray is the only way to tell for sure whether the object is obstructing your pet’s digestive path.

Why does my cat or dog have diarrhea?

You pet could have diarrhea for a number of reasons. They may have ingested something that made them sick, which could be serious, or they may simply need to get something out of their system. Some questions to prepare to answer when you call to talk with a doctor are:

• How many times has your pet had diarrhea?
• How long has this been going on?
• Is there blood in the stool?
• Have they consumed anything strange or unusual that you know of?

Why is my pet panting so much?

We recommend calling us if you’re concerned about your pet’s breathing. This could be a sign of heatstroke, an injury, or consumption of a toxic substance. Consider whether your pet has recently eaten something unusual or whether they are overheated or dehydrated when you contact us.

Why is my pet lethargic?

When a pet is sick, a sign of illness may be lethargy. Because our pets often hide signs of weakness or illness for as long as possible, lethargy is a cause for concern. Please contact us to discuss your pet’s situation if your pet is refusing to get up or behaving in other strange ways.

Why does my pet have a swollen face?

If your pet’s face is swollen, he or she may have been stung by a bee or wasp. This could be serious as some pets have reactions to stings. We recommend that you contact us immediately to discuss emergency concerns and possible at-home care methods.

Why is my pet limping?

Your pet may be limping because of an injury to a joint or even an external injury to one of their paw pads. Handle your pet carefully while examining them in search of the injury, but if they whine or flinch away from you, do not force the issue. We recommend that you call us to discuss the specifics of the case. Please mention if your pet has recently had an accident or if they were active immediately before the limping began.

Do you do spays and neuters at the Veterinary Emergency Group?

We do not perform routine care such as spays and neuters at the Veterinary Emergency Group. Please contact your family veterinarian about this service.

Do you do vaccines at the Veterinary Emergency Group?

We do not perform routine care at the Veterinary Emergency Group, and that includes vaccines and other preventive care. Please reach out to your family veterinarian for all routine care questions.

I found a stray animal. What should I do with it?

If the stray animal (whether a pet or wildlife) is injured, we will treat them if necessary, then reach out to the right people for their continued care. If the animal is not injured, we will direct you to the best place for their care. Please contact us for more information.