320.257.0911    Emergency Vet Service

Emergency & Urgent Care

The Central MN Vet Open Weekends!

Pet emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. Here Dog meets Porcupine Quills

The Weekend Pet Emergency Alternative

Advanced Care Pet Hospital offers the most affordable Weekend Rates available in Central Minnesota for critical care

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List of Emergency Conditions

The list of symptoms below may help you determine if your pet needs prompt veterinary attention. NOTE: These symptoms often can appear together:

• BLEEDING - from any part of the body. Blood in urine or stool.
• LETHARGY - Lack of normal tolerance for exercise; reduced energy or playfulness.
• VOMITING or DIARRHEA - episodes repeated in a short period or intermittently over a period of days or weeks.
• CHANGES IN EATING - Refusing food or eating significantly more or less than usual.
• CHANGES IN THIRST AND URINATION - Very Frequent thirst; increase in the volume or frequency of urination; straining urination or inability to urinate; urinating in the house; or any change in urinary habits.
• SEIZURES or CONVULSIONS - Violent shaking of the head or body with uncontrolled spasms.
• WEIGHT LOSS - Dramatic unexplained losses in body weight over a short period of time.
• PAIN - Limping or favoring a leg, crying, or showing indications of pain when touched or lifted.
• EYE PROBLEMS - Redness, discharge, squinting, any film over the eye, or difficulty seeing.
• LUMPS/BUMPS - Any new lump or one that is bleeding or growing rapidly.
• SCRATCHING - Frequently scratching or biting any body area; pawing at face or ear; shaking or tilting the head.
• COUGHING - Frequent coughing, shortness of breath, any difficulty in breathing.

Heat Stroke

Over-exercise and hot summer temperatures can easily lead to heat stroke for dogs. A digital thermometer reading of 105 or 106 is serious enough to warrant immediate attention – HEAT STROKE CAN BE LIFE THREATENING so don’t wait. Call us or the emergency vet immediately for additional directions.

Ingesting a Possible Poison

Call us or the Poison Control Hotline for advice. The key to effective poison control is matching the correct response to the poison. Seek professional advice before taking action.

Cuts & Scrapes

Many cuts and scrapes are superficial and just need a thorough cleaning and some anti-bacterial ointment. For deeper cuts, however, you may need to apply bandages and seek immediate veterinary care.

Broken Limbs

A broken paw or leg is a serious injury that needs immediate veterinary care. You may need to muzzle your pet prior to handling or transportation. Wrap the pet in a blanket or towel and seek medical attention immediately.

Shock

A lowered body temperature, pale gums, general weakness and cold paws are some common signs of shock. Causes range from serious illness to blood loss, hypoglycemia, severe diarrhea and poisoning. Keep the pet warm and seek medical attention immediately.

Ultrasound is a valuable, non-invasive tool for diagnosing illness.

Call ahead if possible. It can save a few minutes by alerting our staff to prepare for your arrival.

The surgical suite includes emergency medications, 100% oxygen, digital x-ray and ultrasound, intravenous fluids and shock therapy, and staff trained in emergency procedures.

Prompt Treatment Can Save Dollars & Lives

Prompt treatment may minimize the seriousness of the condition. In some instances immediate medical attention often means the difference between life and death. In other instances it can save a lot of money. When you value your relationship with your pet, don't take chances when they are in need of help.

A recent example was a cat brought in which swallowed a needle, the thread it was attached to was hanging out of it's mouth. We were able to X-ray the pet where we found the needle in the stomach and promptly removed it surgically.

Often one end of string, dental floss and thread move through the stomach into the intestines, eventually causing the intestines to bunch up. This typically results in the string cutting into intestinal walls often requiring very extensive surgery to repair. Sometimes significant sections have to be removed if surgery is delayed. Prompt action on behalf of this owner easily saved $900+ in additional surgery and hospitalization fees.

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