Emergency Care

Just like people, pets can get sick or injure themselves. Unlike people, they can be very good at hiding an illness until it becomes severe. At Van Crest Animal Hospital & Boarding, we are here to help. If your pet is showing signs of illness, such as lethargy, changes in personality, unexplained weight loss, or respiratory signs, please call us immediately. 

We are here to diagnose and treat your pet, providing the best possible care to your pet in times of acute illness. We are also able to help your pet when injured, including X-rays of possible fractures, wound care, or laceration repair.

Ear infections in pets are more common than you might realize, afflicting 1 out of every 5 dogs and 1 out of every 15 cats seen in veterinary clinics. These painful diseases can be caused by a variety of pests, parasites, and microscopic intruders — and if left untreated, they can lead to ruptured eardrums and deafness. A pet with an ear infection may shake his head, hold his head at an angle scratch or rub the affected ear, exhibit ear odor/discharge, or display obvious pain symptoms. The skin of the ear may also be red, have hair loss, or there may be swelling of the ear flap. Your pet may also seem to be having balance or hearing problems. Severe ear infections can cause nausea and vomiting. If your pet is showing signs of an ear infection, bring them to Van Crest Animal Hospital & Boarding for prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. Your pet will be required to have an ear cytology to determine the type of ear infection they have.

Many veterinary skin diseases are similar to conditions in humans, however, most veterinary skin disorders are unique and may occur in only one of the many types of animals a veterinarian cares for. These diseases range from skin cancer to allergies, and treatment options vary tremendously. Skin disease can also present as a manifestation of an underlying internal disease process. Thus, it is important to pay attention to your pet’s skin and any symptoms of a skin infection. These symptoms include excessive licking, chewing, or biting of the skin, hair loss, dandruff, or scabs, change in skin or coat’s color or texture, or a bad odor from the skin. If you notice any of these symptoms, please bring them in for diagnosis and treatment. We offer skin scrapes as well!

Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly get out of control, causing severe dehydration in pets. They can also be symptoms of an underlying illness or problem.

If your pet is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, please give us a call to schedule an appointment. We may ask you to bring in a sample of your pet’s stool if diarrhea is present. 

If your pet is showing signs of pain, such as lethargy, hiding, crying out when touched, limping, or reluctance to eat, please give us a call to schedule an evaluation.

We are here to diagnose the cause of pain and help them feel more comfortable. We offer many different types of pain management, most of which are medications that can be given at home.