Emergency Veterinary Medicine
Pet Emergencies During Business Hours:
Contact Us
Durham Animal Hospital – (919) 620-7387
North Churton Animal Hospital located in Hillsborough – (919) 644-7387
24-HOUR EMERGENCY AND SPECIALTY HOSPITALS
We partner with Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital for emergency after hours care.
Durham: (919) 489-0615
Holly Springs: (919) 973-5620
NC State Emergency Services – (919) 513-6911
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
A source of information and help for emergency assistance by phone for suspected cases of animal poisonings as well as helpful library links and information on substances toxic to animals. If you call about a possible pet poisoning, and poison control recommends that you see a vet, they will continue to consult with us (your veterinarian). We almost always consult poison control as part of our treatment plan for any possible poisoning. Generally, there is a $60-$75 fee for this service, but if you have a microchip through our hospital this service may be free of charge.
What is considered a Pet Emergency?
The short answer is your pet’s life is in danger.
Some situations which are pet emergencies:
- Bleeding from any part of the body, except when in heat or during delivery, provided it is not excessive.
- Blood in the stool
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea. If this happens often in a short period or irregularly over the course of several days, bring your pet in.
- Convulsions or fainting. If your pet is overcome with trembling for no good reason, something is probably wrong. It is normal for pets to shake during thunderstorms, fireworks displays and when afraid.
- Unusual lethargy. You know your pet and you know how active they should be. If they are behaving as normal, something may be wrong.
- Any obvious physical damage. This could be a broken bone, ripped skin or puncture wounds.
- Your pet has eaten a potentially toxic medication or substance.
Reproductive emergencies:
Call right away if –
- Your pet is actively straining for longer than 30 minutes without delivering a baby
- More than 4 hours pass between deliveries
- Your pet appears to be in pain or very weak after delivery
It’s not an emergency if –
- Your pet is having a normal, expected heat cycle with some bleeding
- Your pet eats the placentas (afterbirth) after delivery (this is normal behavior)
More information about normal delivery:
https://www.purina.co.uk/dogs/health-and-nutrition/pregnancy/labour-and-giving-birth
We know you love your pets and if you’re unsure always give us a call and we’ll answer your questions and let you know if we feel that you need to bring your pet in to see us.