What to Expect

Pets are cherished and loved as family members, and experiencing an urgent health situation can be scary. At Urgent Animal Care of Arlington, we are here for you and your pet when you need us most.

We provide services for the instances between your primary veterinarian’s availability and life-threatening situations for emergency care facilities. We can take care of anything from bad breath to wound care.

If your pet currently has an urgent health condition, please schedule a tentative place in line.

How Does Our Urgent Pet Care Clinic Work?

We are here when you need us. Our clinic typically works by appointment or call-ahead basis, as having a pre-booked place in line helps to decrease the wait time if your pet is anxious in the hospital. These appointments are for pets in stable condition that cannot wait to see their regular veterinarian. However, you may still walk in during our open hours to receive same-day urgent care treatment for your pet seven days a week.

Our clinic is unique, as we offer an online scheduling system for you to see your spot in line virtually. This feature ensures your pet can remain comfortable at home until you need to head to the clinic. We aim to run by appointment whenever possible. However, there is still a possibility of an in-clinic wait time depending on the patient’s comparative symptom severity.

What to Do in an Urgent Situation and When to Reach Out to Us 

As a pet owner, it is essential to recognize the difference between an urgent situation and a medical emergency. Emergency rooms treat patients based on the severity of their conditions. They usually base this on the patient severity index, which prioritizes the need for resuscitation and other emergent needs over stable conditions.

Urgent veterinary care centers can treat any of the following conditions before an emergency room:

  • Serious cuts
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Trouble walking
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Prolonged low appetite
  • Limping
  • Mild injuries
  • Ear and skin problems

If your pet is injured or struggling, ask yourself the following questions if you are unsure where to take your pet:

  • Can it wait until our next vet appointment? 
  • Do we need urgent care?
  • Is it an emergency?

If it is an emergency, please consult any of our recommended 24-hour locations instead. In an urgent situation where you have to get in the car and go, utilize our walk-in services or save your virtual spot in line. We are open during these hours:

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed*
  • Wednesday: Closed*
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

    *until mid-July

    What to Expect Before and During Your Visit

    Remember to remain calm and keep your pet stress free through it all. Before going in, you can monitor your spot in line while keeping your pet comfortable at home. 

    When you arrive, our team will be ready for you. Together, we will assess your pet’s symptoms and determine the best action. If more immediate care is required, we will move your pet to the front of the line.

    We will work with your regular veterinarian to receive documents and records to best care for your pet. Following treatment, we will pass records back to them for their files.

    Let Us Help

    The experienced doctors at Urgent Animal Care of Arlington are here for you, no matter what. Call us at 703-291-4746 or schedule your appointment online today.

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