Veterinarian

Urgent Care

Veterinarian

Compassionate, and Expert Assistance

At Wareham Animal Hospital, we understand that emergencies involving your beloved pets can be incredibly distressing. That’s why our dedicated team is here to provide immediate, top-tier urgent care when you need it most. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by experienced veterinarians who are committed to delivering swift, compassionate attention to your furry family members.

If you have a question about your pet’s urgent condition and don’t know if they needs to be seen, just call us!

  • hot spots
  • ear infections
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Limping
  • Coughing
  • End of life Care
  • abcesses
  • not eating
  • anal gland problems
  • sudden eye problems
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

Common Urgent Care Services We Offer:

  • Trauma and injury assessment
  • Respiratory distress evaluation, including heart imaging when a heart problem may be the cause
  • Allergic reactions and insect bites
  • Gastrointestinal issues, with a pet ultrasound when we need a closer look at the belly
  • Seizure management
  • Toxic substance exposure
  • Sudden onset of severe pain
  • If you have a question about your pet’s urgent condition and don’t know if they needs to be seen, just call us!

“We do not offer overnight hospitalization” If we know that your pet’s condition requires overnight care, we will discuss the available options and provide recommendations.

Exceptional Expertise

You can take comfort in knowing that our Urgent Care is not just privately owned but also managed by a Boarded Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian (DACVECC). Your pet is in the capable hands of a true expert in emergency medicine.

Dedicated Nursing Team

Our nursing team is led by a Specialty Veterinary Technician in Emergency Care, ensuring that your pet receives the highest standard of care, tailored to their unique needs. We understand that every pet is different, and we treat them as the individuals they are.

Your Pet's Well-Being, Our Priority

Unlike corporate facilities that follow rigid protocols, our approach is rooted in compassion and honesty. Your pet’s health and comfort come first. We make decisions based on what’s best for your pet, not a corporate bottom line.

Bridging Communication Gaps

Our multilingual team can assist Spanish-speaking pet owners, ensuring clear communication and understanding.

Flexible Scheduling

Life can be hectic, and we get that. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling options. While we care for your beloved pet, you can run your errands, knowing that they are in good hands. Your convenience is our concern.

Convenient Location

Our convenient location allows you to access essential services while we look after your pet. Whether you need groceries, pharmacy items, or other necessities, you can take care of them without leaving the area.

All Pets Welcome

We embrace diversity in our patients. Exotic animals and small mammals, such as rabbits and rodents, are welcomed with open arms. Your unusual and beloved pets are safe and well-cared for here.

When it comes to urgent care for your pets, we area your trusted partner. We combine expertise, compassion, and convenience to ensure your pet gets the care they deserve. Your pet’s well-being is our priority, always. Contact us now for prompt, exceptional care in your time of need.

My dog or cat is vomiting or has diarrhea. Should they be seen today?

One episode of vomiting or loose stool in a pet that is otherwise bright and eating can often be watched for a few hours. Bring your pet in the same day if you see any of these:

  • Vomiting or diarrhea more than two or three times in a day
  • Blood in the vomit or stool
  • Refusing food or water, or seeming weak and lethargic
  • Repeated retching with nothing coming up, especially with a swollen belly
  • A puppy, kitten, senior pet or small exotic pet with these signs

Young, old and very small animals dehydrate quickly, so it is safer to have them checked early. Call us at [add: phone number] and our team can help you decide how soon your pet should come in.

What is the difference between urgent care and an emergency vet?

Urgent care is for problems that need a vet today but are not immediately life-threatening, such as vomiting, a limp, a minor wound, an allergic reaction or an eye problem. An emergency vet handles critical cases such as collapse, trouble breathing or severe bleeding.

Our urgent care is led by a Boarded Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarian (DACVECC), so we are well placed to tell the two apart. If you are unsure, call us and we will help you choose.

Can I get a same-day urgent care visit for my pet?

We see pets for urgent problems during our open hours: Monday to Friday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm and Saturday from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Our scheduling is flexible so sudden problems can be looked at promptly.

The quickest way to find out how soon we can see your pet is to call us before you leave. Describe your pet’s symptoms and our team will tell you the best next step.

Which urgent problems do you treat?

We treat sudden illness and injury in dogs, cats and exotic pets, including:

  • Vomiting, diarrhea and other digestive problems
  • Limping, bite wounds, cuts and torn nails
  • Allergic reactions, facial swelling and insect stings
  • Sudden eye problems and anal gland problems
  • Suspected poisoning or toxin exposure
  • Seizures, breathing trouble and sudden severe pain

When a pet needs a closer look, we can use diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound.

What happens at an urgent care visit?

A member of our team will ask about your pet’s symptoms and when they began, then your pet is examined by a veterinarian. Based on the findings, the vet may recommend tests or imaging to find the cause.

  • You will hear the likely causes and the recommended options
  • Treatment is tailored to your pet and your budget
  • If your pet needs overnight care, we will go over the available options

Do you treat cats and exotic pets in urgent care?

Yes. Urgent care at Wareham Animal Hospital is not limited to dogs. We see cats as well as exotic animals and small mammals such as rabbits and rodents.

Our multilingual team can also help Spanish-speaking pet owners, so you can understand your pet’s care and ask questions with confidence.

My pet is limping or got hurt. Is that urgent?

A limp that comes on suddenly is worth a same-day visit, especially in these cases:

  • Your pet won’t put any weight on the leg.
  • The leg looks swollen or bent at an odd angle.
  • Your pet cries out when the leg is touched.

Bite wounds, cuts and torn nails also need prompt care, even when they look small. Bite wounds often hide deeper damage and can become infected within a day or two.

While you get ready to come in:

  • Keep your pet calm and limit their movement.
  • Use a towel or carrier to move small pets.
  • Press gently on any bleeding with a clean cloth.
  • Don’t give human pain medicine. Common drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be toxic to dogs and cats.

My pet ate something it shouldn't have. What should I do?

Call right away. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Many toxins work best when treated within the first hour or two. Common problems include:

  • Chocolate, grapes and raisins
  • Xylitol (found in sugar-free gum)
  • Rodent bait
  • Lilies (for cats)
  • Human medications

Bring the packaging or a photo of the label with you. Note roughly how much your pet ate and when.

Don’t make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. Some substances cause more harm coming back up.

You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for guidance. A consultation fee may apply.

My pet's face is swollen or covered in hives. Is it an allergic reaction?

Sudden facial swelling, hives or itchy bumps often come from an insect sting, a vaccine or something your pet touched or ate. Mild reactions usually respond well to treatment the same day.

Come in right away if the swelling is spreading or your pet shows any of these signs, which can mean a severe reaction:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Vomiting
  • Pale gums
  • Weakness or collapse

If you can see a stinger, scrape it away with a card rather than squeezing it. Please don’t give antihistamines at home without first asking a veterinarian about the product and the dose.

My pet is squinting or has a red, cloudy or swollen eye. Can it wait?

Eye problems should be seen the same day. Squinting, a red or cloudy eye, heavy discharge or a pet pawing at its face can point to a scratch, an ulcer or something stuck in the eye. These problems can get worse within hours.

Short-nosed breeds have prominent eyes, and an eye that bulges or looks pushed forward needs immediate care. These breeds include:

  • Pugs
  • Shih Tzus
  • Persian cats

Until your visit, keep your pet from rubbing the eye. A cone works well if you have one. Don’t use leftover eye drops from a past problem. Some drops can make a corneal ulcer worse.

When should I skip urgent care and go to an emergency hospital?

We are open Monday to Friday, 12:00pm to 10:00pm, and Saturday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm, at 1 Tobey Rd C 3 in Wareham. [add: whether walk-ins are accepted or patients should call ahead]

Call us or head in immediately if your pet:

  • Has trouble breathing or blue or pale gums
  • Collapses or has a seizure lasting more than a few minutes
  • Has a tight, swollen belly
  • Is a male cat straining to urinate with little or nothing coming out

Outside our hours, or if your pet will need overnight care, go to [add: name and town of the 24-hour emergency hospital the clinic refers to].