After-Hours Emergency Care
Contact Family Pet Hospital & 24 Hour Emergency
Open: 24 hours
Call: (403) 320-5200
Steps to Take In A Pet Emergency
If your pet is experiencing any symptoms or behaviours that you are concerned about, follow the steps below.
- Assess the Situation - Take a look at your pet to see if you can detect any injuries, such as a broken bone or bleeding. Note their behaviour and any symptoms to share with the veterinarian.
- Call Ahead - Call us right away during our regular office hours. After hours, contact the emergency animal hospital listed above to let them know you are on the way.
- Follow Instructions Provided - During the call you may be provided with instructions to help you apply first aid or make your pet as comfortable as possible while you travel to the animal hospital.
- Bring Your Pet In For Care - Carefully transfer your pet to a vehicle and make your way to the animal hospital. Do not put yourself at risk when transporting your pet.
Emergency FAQs
Read through our most frequently asked questions below to learn more about bringing your pet in for an emergency appointment at Northside Veterinary Clinic.
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When is your clinic open?
Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
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What situations require emergency veterinary care?
Some emergencies that require immediate veterinary care include:
- 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; two or more episodes in 24-hours
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- Ingestion of something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Heat stress or heatstroke
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Unconsciousness
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How long will we have to wait to see the veterinarian?
Our animal hospital in Lethbridge operates with a triage system where all emergencies are tended to based on severity.
Because of this, we are unable to predict what cases we will see and when they will arrive. We respectfully ask that you call ahead to find out whether we can provide emergency care for your pet.
If we are unable to fit an emergency appointment into our veterinarian's schedule, we recommend that you visit the 24/7 animal emergency hospital detailed above.
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What happens if my pet needs to stay at the clinic?
Depending on the emergency, some pets may require overnight care. At Northside Veterinary Clinic, we may be able to provide overnight care in certain cases, but if that's not possible and hospitalization is recommended, we will help you arrange for appropriate overnight veterinary hospitalization. Your pet's well-being is our top priority.
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What types of animals do you treat?
While our veterinarians most commonly treat cats and dogs, we are able to see other small animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Please call ahead to find out if we are able to care for your sick or injured pet.