Signs of an Emergency

• Persistent (24hr duration) vomiting or diarrhea
• Pale gums or tongue
• Rapid, shallow, or labored breathing
• Straining or inability to urinate
• Abnormal or bloody nasal discharge
• Sudden / non-weight bearing lameness
• Seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes
• Prolonged or non-progressive labor
• Suspected poisoning
• Bleeding wounds
• Eye injury or irritation
• Burns
• Sudden changes in behavior / awareness

Never give your pet any medication that has not been prescribed by your veterinarian.

After Hours Procedure

We offer 24-hour emergency care for our established clients. Should you have an emergency before or after our regular hours, you should call us at (315) 737-7387. A veterinary technician will contact you and answer your questions. If necessary, one of our veterinarians will call you. If your pet needs to be seen on an emergency basis, it will be admitted to the hospital by the veterinary technician and examined by the veterinarian. The doctor will contact you in a timely manner regarding your pet and treatment recommendations. Every effort will be made for your pet's comfort and safety during admittance / hospitalization.

Basic Rescue Checklist / Initial Assessment of Injured Pet

If the pet is lying in the road, be sure the area is clear and that traffic is stopped.
You may need to muzzle an injured animal. Dogs may bite when excited, scared or in pain. If you don't have a muzzle, cover the animal with a blanket or wrap a rope, necktie or belt around the bony part of the animal's mouth and nose 2-3 times, so that it doesn't interfere with breathing. If the animal begins to retch or vomit, remove the muzzle immediately.
Move the pet gently to prevent further injury. Slide animals that may have sustained a head, neck or spinal injury onto a flat, firm surface such as an ironing board, collapsed cardboard box, or plywood. Slide the animal slowly by pulling by the loose skin on the back of the neck and back. Lay the pet on its side and gently tie or tape to the support. 

Transporting Injured / Ill Pets

When you're ready to transport your pet, encourage it to lie quietly on its side. Cover your pet with a blanket. This will also help your pet to hold still and prevent heat loss. Don't put pressure on the abdomen. Keep the head and neck in normal position as much as possible. Please call before transporting your pet so that we can be prepared to assist you when you arrive.

First Aid for Your Pet

First Aid is only a temporary measure until you have time to get to the vet.
Here are some tips:
Bleeding - wrap a towel around the wound and apply pressure
Vomiting / Diarrhea - withhold food, offer small amounts of water
Fever - Take your pet's temperature with a lubricated (with Vaseline) rectal thermometer. A pet's normal temperature is 100-102.5°F

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