Daytime Urgent Care Services at Animal Hospital of Cambridge

When an accident or illness happens, our team is here to help.

In the event that your pet requires urgent care:

1. Call us at 519-624-9760 right away and provide us with all details regarding your pet’s condition.
2. A team member will instruct you on the next steps. We are located in Cambridge, just off the 401. Close to surrounding areas include Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, and Brantford, Ontario.

The information we collect from you about your pet is vital from the moment you call us at the Animal Hospital of Cambridge. Here are some of the questions you can expect our staff to ask depending on the emergency or illness at hand.

• Is your pet breathing?
• Is your pet conscious?
• Is your pet actively bleeding? If so, from where on their body?
• Are they able to move?
• Are there any open wounds or visible broken bones?
• When did the incident happen?
• Is your pet vomiting, or do they have diarrhea? For how long has it been going on?
• Is there swelling? If so, where is the swelling, and how fast is the swelling increasing?

When your pet is injured, they should be approached with caution. Dogs and cats may bite in response to pain and fear. Cats should be covered with a blanket before handling them. Large dogs can be transported on a flat, firm surface such as plywood or board or a towel as a hammock. Cats and smaller dogs should be contained in a sturdy box or carrier. If you suspect there is a possibility of a spinal cord injury, pets should be handled very minimally to avoid excess movement and transported on a flat surface, lying on their side.

Note: Every urgent care case is different and may need further special instructions. Please call us before performing these recommendations so we may accommodate your pet’s particular situation. A physical examination and consultation by the veterinarian will help your pet get the treatment they need as soon as possible. The following is a list of only a few of the emergencies that your pet may experience.

If your pet is having difficulty breathing:

• Keep them as calm as possible.
• Use minimal restraint. Do NOT use neck leads and remove tight collars.
• If possible, carry them, don’t make them walk.

If your pet is bleeding:

• Apply pressure to the area with a clean cloth.
• If the bleeding is coming from the limb, apply pressure and elevate the limb.

If your pet has ingested a toxic substance:

• Bring the product or label with you to your appointment that lists the ingredients in it.
• Do not induce vomiting unless it is advised safe to do so.

Consider the following questions:

• When/what time did your pet ingest the toxin?
• Has your pet vomited on its own?

If external contact with a toxic substance has occurred:

• Your pet should be bathed with lukewarm water and mild soap.
• Your pet should not be allowed to groom/ lick the area – cover the body with a towel or place an e-collar, if available.

If your pet is seizing:

• Stay calm and reassure them.
• The seizure should stop in 2-5 minutes.
• Move your pet away from objects that may cause physical injury.
• NEVER place anything in the mouth, don’t put your hand near the mouth; your pet may bite.
• Your pet may still seem dazed on recovering from the seizure.
• Place a small amount of corn syrup on the gums for possible hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) following the seizure.
• If your pet is diabetic and is experiencing a diabetic insulin crisis, offer a meal if they are alert or smear corn syrup on their gums if they are unwilling to eat food.
• Bring your pet in to see a veterinarian as soon as possible if the seizure has been longer than 5 minutes. Place small pets in a box or carrier lined with soft blankets. Transport large pets on a blanket.

If your pet has a burn:

• Apply cool water and compress the affected area and seek medical attention ASAP.

If your pet has heatstroke:

• Cool them with cool, wet towels, cold packs and wet the feet.
• Offer water or crushed ice if your pet is alert.

Maintain your pet in a cool environment, such as a car with air conditioning and seek medical attention ASAP.