Urgent Conditions

When your pet is in distress, it can be challenging to think clearly. Pet owners want the best for their pets, including seeking the treatment they need. Until recently, there weren’t many options for veterinary services, but Urgent Animal Care of Arlington is part of the selection of up-and-coming urgent care facilities for pets.

Here, we take care of any issues that fall between a primary veterinarian practice visit and an emergency. We are here when you need us during daylight hours.

If your pet is experiencing an urgent care situation, call our team at 703-291-4746, or schedule a tentative place in line on our site. In the event of an emergency, please consult any of our recommended 24-hour veterinary facilities.

Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care

Emergency veterinary hospitals prioritize and treat patients based on their symptoms or condition severity. Any patient needing medical attention but not in a life-threatening situation may be asked to wait.

An urgent care situation involves issues that need medical attention but are not life-threatening. These patients might be uncomfortable, but they are stable and can be seen at regular appointments.

Doctors in emergency hospitals use the patient severity index to decipher your pet’s condition. This index includes the following levels:

  • Level one: Resuscitation — the patient is seen before all others, exhibiting a severe physical trauma or cardiac arrest.
  • Level two: Emergent — these traumas are not life-threatening but are time-sensitive, including a venomous snake bite and heat stroke.
  • Level three: Urgent — these patients are seen after levels one and two are taken care of. Examples of urgent care include sudden illness, severe cuts, vomiting, trouble walking, allergic reactions or difficulty urinating.
  • Level four: Non-urgent — minor cuts, prolonged low appetite, limping, fever and mild injuries are non-urgent conditions that can be treated after the first three levels.
  • Level five: Stable — the patient is uncomfortable but stable, experiencing diarrhea, low appetite, ear infection or skin irritation.

As a rule of thumb, pets in the first two levels should be taken to the emergency room. Levels three through five can receive veterinary urgent care services.

Contact Urgent Animal Care of Arlington

At Urgent Animal Care of Arlington, we provide call-ahead, scheduled and walk-in appointments. A benefit of scheduling ahead is using our online system to view your spot in line from home. Our system can allow your pet to rest and remain comfortable at home while you wait. When you get close to the front of the line, hop in your car and head to our office.

At the office, we will assess your pet’s symptoms and walk you through the next steps, so you always know what to expect.

We commit to providing your pet with the services and care they deserve. Because we C.A.R.E., our values include the following:

  • C: Convenience, comfort and cleanliness
  • A: Accessibility
  • R: Ready resource
  • E: Efficiency and excellence

Our urgent care clinic is open seven days a week, ready for you when you need us. For more information, contact us today by calling 703-291-4746 or by using our online scheduler.

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