Emergency Vet for Cats & Dogs in Matthews
Carolina Veterinary Specialists provides 24/7 emergency veterinary care including Saturdays and Sundays.
What To Do In A Pet Emergency
Knowing what to expect at our emergency veterinary clinic in Matthews will make the process easier for both you and your pet.
STEP 1
Call Ahead
In an emergency, contact us in advance to let us know you are on the way.
STEP 2
Get To Our Hospital Right Away
You will be shown to an exam room and asked to complete our New Patient Form if you have not already done so. A veterinary technician will triage your pet, and then a veterinarian will complete a full exam of your pet.
STEP 3
Determine Treatment
Once assessed, our highly trained veterinarians will formulate a treatment plan so your pet can receive the best possible treatment. We keep your primary care veterinarian updated with your pet’s medical history and files to ensure seamless, integrated care.
Animal Hospital Emergency FAQs
Emergency veterinary care is the treatment of animals in situations that require immediate attention, or could potentially be life-threatening.
- What vet emergency services in Matthews do you offer?
Our emergency clinic offers state-of-the-art emergency care for your four-legged family members and is equipped to provide hospitalization, specialized diagnostics, and complete surgical services.
- Do I need to call ahead?
Yes, please call us ahead before coming to the hospital.
- How long will we have to wait to see the vet?
A veterinary emergency hospital is just like a human emergency department—it can be unpredictable and you may have to wait.
We cannot predict what cases we will see and when they will arrive, but we will prioritize cases by their medical needs.
We provide a comfortable area for waiting and we will do our best to keep you updated about wait times and the status of your pet.
- Will you keep in touch with our primary care veterinarian?
Yes, we keep your primary care veterinarian updated with your pet’s medical history and files to ensure seamless, integrated care.
What is considered an emergency?
The following situations are considered emergencies, and require immediate care. If your pet has had an accident or is experiencing any of these symptoms get them to our office straight away.
- Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
- Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
- Choking, difficulty breathing or continuous coughing/gagging
- Seizures and/or staggering
- Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in urine
- Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
- Injuries to the eye(s)
- You know or suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
- Fractured bones, severe lameness or inability to move leg(s)
- Heat stress or heatstroke
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea; more than two episodes in 24-hours
- Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
- Unconsciousness