Urgent & Emergency Veterinary Care in Brighton

Steps to Take When Seeking Urgent or Emergency Veterinary Care

If your pet is in need of urgent or emergency veterinary care, follow the steps below.

• Call Ahead whenever Possible - We recommend that you call ahead before you leave for the animal hospital.
• Follow Instructions Provided Carefully - When you call our vet clinic or the nearby emergency animal hospital, instructions may be provided to help you apply first aid or otherwise make your pet more comfortable. Follow these instructions carefully.
• Always Remain Calm - Remain calm and be extra careful around your pet. When an animal is in pain they may react negatively towards anyone trying to help and could bite or scratch.
  Don't take it personally; animals can sense when their owners are stressed out, and it can make the situation direr if you can't maintain composure.
• Bring Your Pet In For Care - Never put yourself at risk! Safely bring your pet to the veterinary hospital.

Urgent Veterinary Care in Brighton

Please note that we are not an emergency clinic. Our vets can offer urgent care by appointment during our regular clinic hours. Urgent care is for serious but not immediately life-threatening conditions. If your pet is experiencing a life-threatening issue and requires immediate care, please visit Northside Emergency Pet Clinic.

Pet Urgent Care & Emergency FAQs

Read through some frequently asked questions below to learn more about seeking urgent and emergency care for your pet. 

• What is the difference between urgent and emergency veterinary care?

  Urgent veterinary care is for conditions that are serious but not immediately life-threatening to your pet. Contact Horizon Veterinary Clinic for urgent care by appointment.

  Emergency veterinary care, on the other hand, is for conditions that need immediate treatment in order to save your pet's life. For emergencies, contact the 24/7 emergency animal hospital listed above.

• What are urgent medical conditions in cats and dogs?

  Serious but non-life-threatening conditions may require urgent care. Examples include:

  • Abscesses
  • Anal gland issues
  • Back pain
  • Difficulty walking
  • Ear or eye infections
  • Minor wounds & lacerations
  • Limping or mild lameness
  • Not eating or drinking
  • Mild allergic reactions
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Urinary tract issues
  • Minor vomiting or diarrhea

  Remember that any extreme examples of the symptoms listed above could be emergencies, and context is important. If you're not sure, contact us, or the emergency vet listed on this page. A veterinarian can help you determine if the situation is an emergency or not.

• Do I need to call ahead?

  It's always best to contact the veterinary hospital in advance so they can provide any necessary instructions and prepare for your arrival. 

• What situations require emergency veterinary care?

  The following situations are examples of emergencies that require immediate care:

  • Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
  • Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
  • Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
  • Fractured bones or severe lameness
  • Seizures and/or staggering
  • Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
  • Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea; 2+ episodes in 24-hours
  • Injuries to the eye(s)
  • Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
  • Heat stress or heatstroke
  • Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
  • Unexplained unconsciousness
• How long will we have to wait to see the vet?

  An emergency pet hospital is just like a human doctor's office – it can be unpredictable, and you may have to wait. 

• What types of pets are seen at the emergency pet hospital?

  Emergency services at Northside Emergency Pet Clinic are provided for the dogs and cats of Brighton, Thornton, Rogen, Keensburg, Ft. Lupton, Hudson, Lochbuie, Westminster, Commerce City, and other surrounding areas. For other types of pets, please contact the emergency hospital for information.