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MissionVet Specialty & Emergency

24/7 Emergency Pet Care

We’re open 24 hours a day including weekends and holidays for pets in need.

Woman on their phone with a small dog in their lap sitting on the couch

Mobile Check-In is Now Available!

Check-In online for most stable pet emergency visits & do the majority of your waiting from the comfort of your home.

*If your pet is in critical condition, please call us and bring them directly to the hospital.

When an emergency happens…

Call us if you need immediate assistance or to let us know you are on the way. Upon arrival, your pet will be immediately evaluated to ensure they are stable. We see your pet on a first-come, first-served basis, however, those pets who are more critical will be treated immediately.

Our patient care team will then speak with you to obtain a thorough history of your pet’s condition. After performing an examination of your pet, the emergency veterinarian will meet with you and go over diagnostic and treatment options.

Our Emergency Medicine Team

Signs of an Emergency:

  • Any difficulties breathing: short or shallow breath, increased effort, gagging, choking

  • First-time seizures, seizures lasting more than three minutes, or multiple seizures

  • Non-productive retching/vomiting, swollen or distended abdomen

  • Inability or straining to urinate

  • Inability to stand or walk

  • Pregnant pet in active labor for more than one hour without delivering; a pet that has gone more than 3-4 hours between delivering

  • Vomiting blood, passing blood in stools/urine

  • Hives or swollen face

  • Trauma: bite wounds, broken bones, burns, cuts, lacerations, electric shock, eye injuries, heatstroke, hit by car

  • Ingestion of toxic or harmful substance

If your pet is experiencing any of the above, please seek immediate care.

Please don’t hesitate to call us at (210) 737-7373 if you are unsure if your pet is experiencing an emergency.

Emergency Services

Collaboration with Veterinary Specialists

Our emergency veterinarians work closely with our board-certified veterinary specialists in the management of complex cases.

In-House Laboratory

We maintain a comprehensive in-house laboratory capable of providing point-of-care diagnostics based on the needs of each individual pet. Laboratory results are immediately available to help guide your pet’s medical treatment.

Diagnostic Imaging

Our doctors are able to utilize digital radiology and ultrasonography to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your pet. We collaborate with board-certified radiologists for complex cases.

Emergency Surgery

Our emergency doctors collaborate with the specialized surgeons at MissionVet Specialty & Emergency to provide consultations and surgery, if necessary.

Patient Monitoring

Patients are continually monitored during their hospital stay. Our hospital utilizes a wide variety of state of the art equipment to monitor vitals including electrical heart rhythm (EKG), blood pressure, oxygenation ability (Pulse Oximetry), and ventilation ability (endo-tidal CO2).

Oxygen Therapy

When respiratory emergencies arise, it’s important that patients receive supplemental oxygen as soon as possible. We provide several methods of oxygen therapy including oxygen masks, nasal oxygen cannulas, or controlled environment oxygen cages, depending on the needs of the patient.

Transfusion Therapy

Our hospital maintains a variety of blood products. Blood component therapy includes packed red blood cell transfusions, whole blood transfusions, and frozen plasma transfusions. All patients are continually monitored by the emergency veterinarian and highly skilled technical staff during transfusions.

Endoscopy

Many animals eat objects or material that they shouldn’t leaving “foreign material” within their stomach. After a full evaluation of your pet, endoscopic foreign object removal may be recommended to remove the material from their stomach (not all animals are candidates for endoscopy). Endoscopy for the veterinary patient requires general anesthesia while utilizing a fiber-optic camera to visualize the inside of their esophagus and stomach. Often, foreign material can be removed via an endoscope with the hopes of avoiding potential future emergency surgery.

FAQ

Do you close on holidays?

MissionVet is open 24/7, 365 days a year; rain or shine. Our doors never close and you can always count on us to be available for your pet’s needs at all times!

Does it cost more to bring my pet through the ER?

The ER consultation fee is no more expensive than consultation fees of other departments within MissionVet. Fees associated with a given category are equal across all departments (e.g. hospitalization, medications, and diagnostics).

Will there be a long wait in the ER?

When the ER is busy, your pet will be seen on the basis of need. A triage technician and ER doctor will make an initial assessment of your pet’s needs within minutes of your arrival. Pets that are experiencing emergencies and need immediate attention will take priority.  If all of our current patients are equally stable, they are seen in order of arrival. If other pets are being seen before yours, this is good news as it means your pet is not as sick as some of our other patients.

Who will be seeing my pet?

Our excellent and experienced emergency doctors or critical care specialist will personally perform a physical exam on your pet. They will also be sure to come out and speak with you afterward with an initial diagnosis.

Is anyone caring for my pet during the night?

We have veterinarians and technicians available in the hospital 24/7, 365 days a year. Your pets are always being looked after and cared for while they are in our care.

How often will my dog get walked while (s)he is in the hospital?

Our patients are walked regularly. We have areas surrounding the hospital that allow for seamless transition from inside care to bathroom breaks and appropriate exercise outside. Typically, our patients on IV fluids are walked at least every 4-6 hours.

Can I visit my pet if (s)he has to stay in the hospital?

We encourage visiting with your pet while (s)he is in the hospital and always do our best to accommodate those who wish to do so. Your pet misses you as much as you miss him/her! We do ask that you discuss a visit with your doctor or call ahead to arrange a time so that we can best accommodate you.

Should I bring my pet's own food, medicine or blankets/personal items?

It is helpful to bring your pet’s food and medicine while (s)he is in the hospital.  If you do choose to bring personal items, we recommend not bringing anything of sentimental value.  We have plenty of comfortable bedding here, so there is no need to bring your own.  Please understand that if any items become soiled, they will go into our laundry and we cannot guarantee their return to you. We also suggest asking your veterinarian prior to bringing any toys to make sure that they won’t interfere with your pet’s treatment.

Will my family veterinarian be kept updated on my pet's care?

Your veterinarian receives regular updates from our emergency/critical care doctors during hospitalization. Our goal is to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure seamless care for your pets while they are at MissionVet. Your primary veterinarian will receive the details regarding our physical exam, any diagnostic tests performed with the results, and the recommended treatment plan.

Will my family veterinarian be kept updated on my pet's care?

Your veterinarian receives regular updates from our emergency/critical care doctors during hospitalization. Our goal is to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure seamless care for your pets while they are at MissionVet. Your primary veterinarian will receive the details regarding our physical exam, any diagnostic tests performed with the results, and the recommended treatment plan.

What if I cannot afford my pet's care?

Here at MissionVet, we understand that medical costs can be extremely difficult, especially when they are unexpected. Should you choose to do so, you may apply for CareCredit or Wells Fargo. This is a healthcare credit card designed for payment of your veterinary needs. It is a way to pay for the costs of treatments and procedures in manageable monthly increments. Please talk to your doctor or a member of our client services team at reception to learn more.

Check in Online or Come Directly to the Hospital