Arriving at the veterinary ER can be a stressful experience, especially if you must wait for your pet to be seen by a veterinarian. At Animal Emergency Clinic of North East, we will do everything we can to minimize wait times and see your pet as quickly as possible. Our team is also ready to answer all your questions throughout the process. We understand that you are worried about your pet, but you may need to wait to be seen for an examination and treatment if your pet is in relatively stable condition.
What is triage?
There are many different types of pet health emergencies, and some are much more urgent than others. Pets that are in critical condition need to be seen sooner, and they may require more involved care with several veterinary specialists tending to them at one time. To determine which pets will be seen first, Animal Emergency Clinic of North East and veterinary ERs utilize the triage process. Triage is not a full diagnosis for your pet, but rather a brief assessment to determine if your pet is stable. Critical conditions that will be given the highest priority include car accidents, difficulty breathing, bloat, active seizures, unresponsiveness, and excessive bleeding. While other conditions are still serious and require emergency care, they are not necessarily life-threatening and will be seen as soon as possible. Your pet’s triage status may also change if their symptoms worsen and they elevate to urgent or critical condition.
How long will your pet need to wait for emergency care?
Wait times can vary significantly depending on the number of pets we’re currently treating and the complexity of each emergency case. Even if the lobby is empty, there may be many pets being treated for critical emergencies behind the scenes. Our team will communicate your estimated wait time to you and keep you updated throughout your visit so that you don’t feel in the dark about your pet’s care.
What happens after triage?
Post-triage, your pet will undergo a physical exam with the vet, and they may need additional diagnostic tests including ultrasound, electrocardiography, blood tests, and X-rays. Animal Emergency Clinic of North East has ultrasound and digital X-ray equipment onsite, as well as an onsite lab to provide rapid test results to inform your pet’s care. Your pet’s treatment plan may include surgery, oxygen therapy, or medication. Once your pet is stable, they may be discharged to your care so they can return home, or they may require an overnight stay for monitoring and care from our veterinary nurses.
When you need emergency veterinary care in Humble, TX, count on Animal Emergency Clinic of North East to provide intensive care and a full range of emergency services. Our compassionate, knowledgeable providers will help your pet get better quickly while providing you with the communication and pet parent education you need to support your pet’s full recovery. Call us now to let us know you’re on the way to our clinic or to get more information about our emergency services.