Emergency Services and Critical Care
We offer world-class Emergency and Critical Care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at the Small Animal Emergency clinic Raleigh NC.
Overview
We understand that pet emergencies are stressful and upsetting; our experienced team is here to help with knowledge and compassion. Please consider having your pet evaluated by our emergency service, if your veterinarian is not available by calling 919-513-6911 if your pet is displaying any of the following symptoms:
- Breathing difficulty
- Weakness or collapse
- Trouble urinating or defecating
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Bleeding or seizing
- Exposed to toxins or trauma
Contact Us
- Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Phone: 919-513-6911
- Address: 1052 William Moore Dr. Raleigh, NC 27607
What Makes NC State Emergency Special?
Attending clinicians have access to consultation with specialty services 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, as well as access to state of the art diagnostic and therapeutic options. Small animal specialty services available for consultation and transfer include:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Exotic Animals *
- General & Orthopedic Surgery
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Internal Medicine
We also offer extracorporeal services including: hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, plasmapheresis.
Our intensive care unit is also staffed with dedicated technicians and clinicians 24 hours a day, and is a component of the Emergency and Critical Care Department, which received a perfect score in a recent four-year re-accreditation conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association.
* The Exotic Animal Medicine Service at NC State Veterinary Hospital has limited availability to see emergency exotic animal cases 7 days/week 8 am-5 pm .
What to Expect
Due to the unpredictability and severity of patient problems long waiting times are sometimes experienced. Upon admission, all patients are assessed immediately and triaged according to the severity of the problem.
Patients with the most serious problems are seen first and patients with less serious problems will be attended to as soon as possible (similar to emergency rooms in human hospitals).
Senior veterinary students play an important role in our care team and thus clients should expect to speak to a veterinary student as part of the intake and treatment process. All students are in close communication with our care team’s veterinarians and communicate clinician recommendations to you.
As soon as the veterinarian working with your pet is available, they will talk with you regarding additional testing needed, prognosis and treatment options, and the anticipated costs associated with care. Our care team consults with on-call specialists when appropriate.
Appointments and Referrals
Appointment Guidelines
No appointment is needed, but calling ahead is encouraged.
Appointment Hours
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Emergency Service Fees
- An emergency exam fee is $250
- An emergency exotics exam fee is $330
- Initial emergency stabilization services for pets range between $600 – $900. Additional diagnostic tests, specialty consults, therapeutics and other fees may also apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will happen?
All pets presenting to the emergency hospital will be “triaged” by our technical staff. This means that patients are assigned a medical priority based on vital signs and a brief history. Similar to a human ER, this ensures that the most critically ill patients are given priority. A technician will greet you in the lobby and obtain your pet’s vital signs. If your pet’s vital signs are abnormal, or your pet is clearly unstable, the technician will escort your companion immediately to the back to be examined by a doctor. A student will then obtain vital historical information while your companion is stabilized. You may be asked to sign a permission form for “emergency treatment” at this time. As soon as medically possible, the attending clinician will consult with you and present a diagnostic and therapeutic plan.
If your companion is stable at the time of admission, you will be escorted to an examination room, where a veterinary student will obtain pertinent historical information and perform a physical examination. This information will then be presented to the attending clinician. Shortly afterward, the attending clinician will perform a thorough physical examination on your companion, consult with you, and present a diagnostic and therapeutic plan.
If your companion’s problems are complex in nature, specialists may be consulted and transfer to a specialty service may be recommended. In the event that your pet is hospitalized for a complex problem, his or her care will be transferred to one of these specialty services in the morning. Alternatively, care of your pet may be transferred back to your family veterinarian in the morning. In this instance, you must pick up your pet by 8 am and proceed directly to your veterinarian.
What happens if my pet is hospitalized?
It may be recommended that your pet be hospitalized. In this instance, we have several levels of care that are tailored to the needs of your pet. Technicians staff all hospital wards 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Our intensive care unit is also staffed with dedicated technicians and doctors 24 hours a day. Visiting is encouraged and hours are established for all areas of the hospital. At the time of admission, please ask the attending clinician or student to provide you with this information.
Will you work with my vet?
If you provide the front desk with the name of your veterinarian, a full report will be faxed the following morning. Your veterinarian can also call at any time for a consultation or with questions concerning your pet’s care. If your pet remains in the hospital and is transferred to a specialty service, the clinician in charge will contact your veterinarian by phone the following day.
Resources
- Download our full client expectations document here.
- Finding a primary veterinarian
- NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
