Pet Urgent & Emergency Care
When your pet is sick or injured, we are here to help.
Pet Urgent & Emergency Care
When your pet is sick or injured, we are here to help.
Emergencies can happen at any time. When your pet is sick or injured, you want to bring them to a veterinarian right away for fast and effective care. Our experienced team is here to provide urgent and emergency care for cats and dogs in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area. While we do not offer overnight services at Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale, we will do everything we can for your suffering pet during our regular business hours. If your pet needs us, please give us a call right away so that we can prepare for your visit.
If your pet is experiencing an emergency situation, we urge you not to wait. Seek urgent care or an emergency veterinarian right away.
When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Care For Your Pet
Knowing when to seek urgent or emergency veterinary care for your pet can prevent their condition from becoming worse. It may even save their life.
- Difficulty Breathing
- Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Blood in Vomit, Stool, or Urine
- Ingestion of Toxic Substances
- Trauma or Injury
- Unexplained Lethargy
- Seizures or Collapse
- Bleeding or Swelling
- Pale/White Gums
- Difficulty Urinating or Defecating
- Refusal to Eat or Drink for 24+ Hours
- Sudden Changes in Behavior
- Signs of Pain
When to Seek Urgent or Emergency Care For Your Pet
Knowing when to seek urgent or emergency veterinary care for your pet can prevent their condition from becoming worse. It may even save their life.
- Difficulty Breathing
- Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Blood in Vomit, Stool, or Urine
- Ingestion of Toxic Substances
- Trauma or Injury
- Unexplained Lethargy
- Seizures or Collapse
- Bleeding or Swelling
- Pale/White Gums
- Difficulty Urinating or Defecating
- Refusal to Eat or Drink for 24+ Hours
- Sudden Changes in Behavior
- Signs of Pain
If your cat or dog is experiencing any of these symptoms or if you are concerned about their condition, please don’t hesitate to call us. During our regular business hours, we are available to provide urgent care for sick pets and minor injuries, as well as emergency care for more severe cases. If your pet will require treatment at a specialty animal ER, we may still be able to stabilize your pet before referring you to a local facility.
What to Do if Your Pet is Experiencing An Emergency
We know that a pet emergency is stressful. You can get help for your companion. If your pet is sick or injured, call us. This allows our veterinary team to assess the situation, give you any necessary guidance, and prepare for your arrival. Please note that if your pet has symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, vomiting, or diarrhea that could indicate an infectious condition, you will be asked to follow our isolation protocols.
For after-hours emergencies you can call our main number (954) 561-8777 and follow the prompts to be connected with an emergency doctor at VEG. Alternatively, you can reach out directly to:
- Pet Emergency Center (954) 772-0420
- VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) (954) 519-5219
- BluePearl Veterinary Hospital (954) 641-0111
These facilities are equipped to handle overnight and weekend emergencies so your pet can receive the care they need, even when we are closed.
What to Do if Your Pet is Experiencing An Emergency
For after-hours emergencies you can call our main number (954) 561-8777 and follow the prompts to be connected with an emergency doctor at VEG. Alternatively, you can reach out directly to:
- Pet Emergency Center (954) 772-0420
- VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) (954) 519-5219
- BluePearl Veterinary Hospital (954) 641-0111
These facilities are equipped to handle overnight and weekend emergencies so your pet can receive the care they need, even when we are closed.
Pet Urgent Care & Emergencies FAQ
An isolation appointment is a special protocol we use to prevent the spread of potentially contagious diseases to other pet patients in our hospital. If your pet is showing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, or any other signs of a potentially infectious illness, we will ask you to follow our isolation protocol.
Upon arrival, you should call us and then wait in your car with your pet. Please do not walk around the parking lot while waiting. Staying in your care minimizes the risk of spreading any contagious agents. A veterinary nurse will come out to your car to greet you and escort you and your pet to our isolation room, which is located in its own building. You will be able to stay with your pet throughout the appointment, and both the veterinarian and nurse will conduct any necessary exams and tests in the isolation room.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested a toxic substance, call us. It’s important to provide details about what was ingested, how much, and when it occurred. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a veterinary professional. If you are unable to reach us, contact an emergency veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Pet Poison Helpline for immediate advice.
While occasional vomiting or diarrhea can occur in pets and may not always be a cause for concern, persistent symptoms, especially if they are accompanied by blood, lethargy, or dehydration, require urgent veterinary attention. If your pet is unable to keep down water or food, or if you notice other symptoms such as bloating or pain, please contact us immediately.
Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is commonly contracted in places where large numbers of dogs are housed, such as kennels, dog parks, or boarding facilities. The most common symptom is a dry, hacking cough that may be followed by retching. Many pet owners describe the cough as having a “honking sound.” In some cases, a watery nasal discharge may also be present. Despite the cough, dogs with mild cases of kennel cough often remain alert and active and continue to eat normally.
If you suspect that your dog has kennel cough, please call us from your car when you arrive for your appointment. Our staff will meet you at the car and escort you and your pet to our isolation ward for the duration of the visit to prevent the spread of the disease to other pets in our facility.
Emergency and Urgent Care for Pets in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Emergency and Urgent Care for Pets in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Come to Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale.
If your pet is experiencing an urgent health issue or emergency, please contact us immediately during our business hours so that we can provide professional pet emergency care right away. Don’t wait for your injured or sick companion to get better on their own. We are here to support you and your pet when it matters most.
Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale provides daytime urgent and emergency care for cats and dogs in Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lighthouse Point, Pompano, and surrounding Florida communities and beyond.
