Emergency Process

We ask that if you feel your pet needs to be seen that day, make that decision, whenever possible, before we close.  When you phone Best Friends, tell the receptionist that you are a Best Friends client and that your pet must come in that evening or Saturday afternoon.

However, if your pet has an emergency out of regular Best Friends hours, please phone the hospital for instructions.  Most of the time, you will be able to reach one of the doctors whose cell phone number will be on the answering machine.  The doctor will then decide what is required for the best care of your pet at that time.  Whether your pet is seen at Best Friends or at the emergency clinic, an emergency fee will be charged in addition to the examination fee and any tests or treatments required.  If you and your pet are referred to the emergency clinic, there will be full staff at that clinic to properly care for your pet.

The emergency clinic is operated within the facilities of a regular animal hospital.  The following morning, you do have the option of having your pet further cared for at that hospital or transferred to Best Friends.  If you wish to transport your pet yourself, we are open at 7:00 am during the week and 9:00 am on Saturdays.  However, if you wish to have your pet transported, please call Best Friends in the morning and we will arrange for pickup between 9:00 and 11:00 that morning.  The charge for this service will be $30.00 paid to the transport company.

When to call the Vet

Owners know their pets better than anyone.  In the presence of subtle symptoms, you will be the first to notice something is wrong.  Some problems require immediate veterinary attention, other problems require observation and attention if they do not resolve.  For example an episode or two of diarrhea in a dog that otherwise seems perfectly normal may not be cause for immediate alarm

Emergencies that require immediate veterinary attention:

• Collapse and/or severe depression
• Seizure lasting longer than 10 minutes
• Bleeding that will not stop
• Breathing problems
• Hit by car
• Inability or straining to urinate

Make an appointment to have your pet examined if you notice:

1. Persistent diarrhea, constipation, or blood in the stool.  If any one of these persists for more than 24 hours, have it checked out.
2. Vomiting.  If of a violent nature, contact your vet right away.  There may be a foreign object in your pet’s digestive tract.
3. Increased thirst or urination.  Increased thirst not associated with either warm conditions or recent exercise can be associated with a number of serious diseases.  Changes in frequency of urination can indicate diseases of the kidney or bladder.
4. Changes in appetite.  Either a significant increase or decrease that persist for more than a day or two.
5. Behaviour changes.  A dramatic increase or decrease in activity level or any other change in behaviour could indicate the presence of a significant problem.
6. Sensitive spots.  Any sore spots should be checked out.  Also any lump or swelling, especially if enlarging, warrants a veterinary exam.
7. Discharges.  Any unusual discharge from any body orifice should be checked.  This includes eyes, nose, genitals and anus.
8. Scooting.  Dragging the rear end on surfaces such as carpets or cement may be an anal gland problem or something more serious.
9. Coughing.  Any persistent cough should be checked out by your vet.
10. Scratching.  Any persistent scratching, rashes or dry flaky skin could mean allergies or other skin diseases and must be attended to so as to avoid severe and chronic skin damage.

REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING, CALL BEST FRIENDS.  THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION AND IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

OUR PHONE NUMBER AT BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL IS 269-4451