Urgent Care vs. Emergency Vet | Sheffield Veterinary Hospital

Urgent Care vs. Emergency Veterinary Care: Knowing Where Your Pet Needs to Go 

When your pet isn't feeling well, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Is it something that can wait until your family veterinarian opens? Should you visit an urgent care clinic? Or is it a true emergency that requires immediate attention? 

At Sheffield Veterinary Hospital, we understand how stressful these situations can be. Knowing the difference between urgent and emergency care can help your pet receive the right treatment as quickly as possible. 

Your Family Veterinarian 

For routine wellness care, preventive medicine, chronic condition management, vaccinations, minor illnesses, and many same-day concerns, your primary care veterinarian should always be your first call during normal business hours. 

Our team can evaluate many illnesses and injuries, provide diagnostics, perform surgery, and help determine whether your pet can be treated in our hospital or if referral to an urgent care or emergency facility would provide the best level of care. 

What Is Veterinary Urgent Care? 

Urgent care hospitals bridge the gap between your regular veterinarian and a 24-hour emergency hospital. These facilities are designed to treat conditions that need prompt medical attention but are not immediately life-threatening. 

Examples of conditions that may be appropriate for urgent care include: 

• Ear infections 

• Vomiting or diarrhea (without severe weakness or collapse) 

• Limping or minor injuries 

• Skin infections or hot spots 

• Allergic reactions without difficulty breathing 

• Eye redness or squinting 

• Urinary accidents or straining to urinate in female pets 

• Minor wounds or lacerations 

• Coughing or sneezing 

• Nail injuries 

Urgent care clinics often offer evening and weekend hours, making them an excellent option when your regular veterinarian is unavailable. 

What Is a Veterinary Emergency? 

A veterinary emergency involves conditions that are life-threatening or could quickly become life-threatening if treatment is delayed. These patients often require advanced diagnostics, surgery, intensive monitoring, hospitalization, or specialty care. 

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your pet is experiencing: 

• Difficulty breathing 

• Collapse or inability to stand 

• Seizures, especially multiple or prolonged seizures 

• Hit by a car or significant trauma 

• Heavy bleeding that won't stop 

• Suspected poisoning or toxin ingestion 

• Ingestion of a foreign object (such as toys, corn cobs, socks, rocks, or bones) 

• Difficulty giving birth 

• Heatstroke 

• Severe pain 

• Bloated or distended abdomen, especially in large breed dogs 

• Loss of consciousness 

• Unable to urinate, particularly in male cats 

• Severe burns 

• Eye injuries involving trauma or sudden vision loss 

These situations should never wait until the next business day. 

When You're Not Sure 

Sometimes it's difficult to tell whether your pet's condition is urgent or an emergency—and that's okay. 

If your pet becomes ill during our regular business hours, call us first at 740-852-9151. Our medical team can help assess the situation and recommend the most appropriate level of care. 

Depending on your pet's condition, we may: 

• Schedule a same-day appointment. 

• Recommend an urgent care clinic. 

• Advise immediate evaluation at a 24-hour emergency hospital. 

Our goal is always to ensure your pet receives the care they need as quickly and safely as possible. 

Emergency & Urgent Care Resources 

If your pet needs care outside of our regular business hours or requires services beyond what we can provide in our hospital, we may recommend one of the following trusted facilities: 

Emergency Hospitals 

MedVet 

Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) 

The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center (OSU Emergency) 

Urgent Care Clinics 

AcutePet Urgent Care – Grove City 

The Ohio State University Veterinary Urgent Care 

Animal Urgent Care of Springfield 

Our team works closely with these hospitals to help ensure your pet receives the appropriate level of care when needed. 

We're Here to Help 

At Sheffield Veterinary Hospital, your pet's health and well-being are our top priorities. Whether it's a routine checkup, an unexpected illness, or guidance during a stressful situation, we're here to help you make the best decisions for your furry family member. 

If your pet becomes sick or injured during our business hours, please give us a call. We'll help determine the next best step and make sure your pet gets the care they deserve.