Emergency Veterinary Care and Helpful Links
What to Do in a Pet or Large Animal Emergency
If During Business Hours Please Contact Us
If your pet or large animal needs urgent care during regular business hours, please call our office at
(704) 876-2031 and our team will help guide you.
Remain calm and assess the situation as safely as possible. Being prepared can help ensure your pet receives prompt and appropriate care.
Before seeking emergency treatment, gather the following information if available:
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Your pet’s species, breed, age, and approximate weight
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A clear description of the current concern or injury
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Any recent changes in your pet’s behavior, routine, or environment
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A list of medications or supplements your pet is currently taking
If your pet may have ingested a toxin, household chemical, or human medication, contact Pet Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately and follow their instructions.
Use caution when handling an injured or ill pet. Pain and fear can cause even gentle animals to react unexpectedly. When traveling for emergency care, bring your pet safely secured in a carrier or on a leash when possible, and be prepared to provide information upon arrival.
What is Considered an Emergency?
If your pet or animal is experiencing any of the situations below, immediate veterinary care is recommended. When in doubt, it is always appropriate to seek emergency care or call for guidance.
Small Animal Emergencies
Examples of emergencies include, but are not limited to:
- Difficulty breathing, open-mouth
- breathing, or blue/pale gums
- Active bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
- Seizures, collapse, or sudden weakness
- Trauma, such as being hit by a car, falls, or bite wounds
- Vomiting or diarrhea that is persistent, severe, or contains blood
Ingestion of toxins, medications, foreign objects, or unknown substances - Inability to urinate or straining without producing urine
- Sudden abdominal pain, bloating, or a distended abdomen
- Heatstroke or suspected overheating
- Acute pain, vocalizing, or signs of severe distress
- Sudden changes in behavior, mentation, or responsiveness
Large Animal Emergencies
Examples of emergencies include, but are not limited to:
- Colic or signs of abdominal pain
- Choke (difficulty swallowing or feed material from the nose)
- Lacerations or wounds requiring immediate attention
- Severe lameness or inability to bear weight
- Acute swelling, bleeding, or trauma
- Down animals or inability to rise
- Foaling complications or dystocia
- Sudden neurologic signs, such as ataxia or abnormal behavior
Because large animal emergencies can progress quickly, early intervention and timely referral are often critical.
Small Animal Veterinary Emergencies
Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, etc.
If your pet experiences an emergency after hours, please contact one of the following emergency hospitals for immediate care.
Note: If your pet or animal needs urgent care during regular business hours, please call our office at
(704) 876-2031 and our team will help guide you.
Carolina Veterinary Specialists Huntersville
Phone:
(704) 949-1100
Website:
huntersville.carolinavet.com
Location:
12117 Statesville Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
Hours:
Emergency 24/7
Carolina Veterinary Specialists Winston-Salem
Phone:
(336) 546-8171
Website:
winston-salem.carolinavet.com
Location:
1600 Hanes Mall Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Hours:
Emergency 24/7
Carolina Animal Specialty & Emergency - Hickory
Phone:
(828) 328-6697
Website:
ncvetspecialists.com
Location:
1050 US-321, Hickory, NC 28601
Hours:
Emergency 24/7
Animal Poison Control
ASPCA Poison Control
Large Animal Veterinary Emergencies
Livestock (cows, horses, sheep, pigs) or farm animals.
- We offer limited after-hours emergency support for large animal patients.
- If you call our office after hours, you will be directed to a line where a veterinarian can provide phone guidance and help determine the most appropriate next steps. In some situations, an emergency visit may be available on a limited basis.
- Because we are not a full-service emergency or surgical facility, many large animal emergencies are best managed at a referral hospital, especially when intensive care, surgery, or advanced diagnostics are required.
Note: If your pet or animal needs urgent care during regular business hours, please call our office at
(704) 876-2031 and our team will help guide you.
Davie County Large Animal
Phone:
(336) 998-7131
Website:
largeanimalhospital.com
Location:
928 Farmington Rd, Mocksville, NC 27028
Virginia Tech
Our Commitment to You
Emergencies are stressful, and our goal is to provide clear guidance, even when we are closed. Whether that means coordinating emergency referral care, offering phone support, or assisting with follow-up once we reopen, we remain committed to supporting you and your animals.
Important Numbers
Iredell Animal Control
Phone:
(704) 878-5424
Lake Norman Humane
Phone:
(704) 663-3330
Website:
lakenormanhumane.org