Life is crazy and unpredictable. Your pet does not understand that their vet’s hours are between nine and five Monday through Friday. They always seem to fall sick or be in need of emergency help in the evening, the weekend, and especially over the holidays. There is no way you can predict when labor is going to happen or when your pet will sneak into the wrong type of food. Sometimes, waiting until nine the next morning is just not an option. Your pet needs help now, so bring them to the emergency vet clinic that cares about each pet we treat with a state-of-the-art facility. You and your pet will be glad you did.
AHVEC’s emergency vet services are open nights, holidays, and weekends
Here at our After Hours Veterinary Emergency Clinic, we have been providing emergency veterinary care for more than three decades to the pets of Winston Salem. We can handle any emergency that your household pet may be experiencing during “after hours.” Our central location in Winston Salem puts us just minutes away from you in the event your pet is in need of emergency medical services. Our emergency room vets are experts in their field and have all been properly trained in emergency and critical care medicine. Our emergency room is equipped to offer emergency care for your dogs, cats, and other small pets for any medical service.
The ABC’s for your pet’s medical emergency
- A is for Airway: You need to check whether your pet’s chest is rising and falling and listen closely to the rhythm and sounds of their breathing. If you find that your pet is unconscious, you need to check for any airway obstruction. Gently pull on the tip of the tongue. If you meet resistance, do not continue to pull: this means that your pet is not unconscious and could possibly bite you. If there is no resistance, do a finger sweep of your pets mouth to get rid of any excess saliva. However, if your pet is seizing, it may appear to not be breathing and have a clenched jaw: do not put your fingers in their mouth. Usually in cases of seizure, your animal will start breathing again on their own. If the airways are clear, continue on to step B. Even if your pet is still breathing, bringing them to our emergency clinic is safer than waiting until morning for a regular vet check up.
- B is for Breathing and Bleeding: If your pet is not breathing but has clear airways, attempt to perform CPR. You can also hold their mouth shut and breath into the nostrils, but make sure your pet is unconscious. Even the sweetest animals react when they are scared, disoriented, or in pain. You can administer CPR on your way to our emergency clinic for a better chance of professional medical help sooner than waiting. If there is bleeding, bandage your pet up as best as possible. Find any clean rags and wrap the area while applying pressure to the wound before and bring them to our emergency clinic immediately for medical attention.
- C is for Cardiovascular: Put your ear to your pet’s chest and listen for a heartbeat. Check your pet’s gums to make sure they are the normal shade of pink. If the gums are white, this means your pet is experiencing shock or blood loss. If you do not hear a heartbeat, begin CPR chest compression. If you begin chest compressions, do not stop until you reach our vet emergency room. Our veterinarians will immediately assist as soon as you arrive.
These are a few of the procedures/services that our veterinarians are trained in:
- Trauma Care
- Emergent Disease Treatment
- In-house Laboratory
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Endoscopy
- ECG (electrocardiogram)
- Blood Transfusions
- Anesthesia
- Emergency Surgery
- Surgical Monitoring
- Major and Minor Wound Care and Repair
- Pain Management
- Oxygen Support
- In-house Pharmacy
- Hospitalization
- Microchip Identification
When your pet’s health is at risk or they are injured in any way, do not hesitate to bring them to our state-of-the-art emergency room in Winston Salem. There is no need to call ahead: we will be ready for any emergency services your pet needs when you arrive. Our trained staff will do everything they can to make yours and your pet’s experience as pleasant as possible. Immediate attention can make all the difference for your pet: trust your local Winston Salem emergency veterinary clinic that has been serving the pets in our community for over 35 years.