Emergency Veterinary Care in Southern Wisconsin

We recommend calling the emergency animal hospital so they can give you instructions if necessary.

No matter how careful you are, emergencies can happen. It is very important that you bring your pet in for emergency care as soon as possible as time is usually one of the most important factors in these situations.

By preparing for emergencies ahead of time, contacting your vet right away and bringing your dog or cat in for emergency care quickly, you can give your pet the best outlook possible.

Our experienced veterinary team at Badger Veterinary Hospital offers veterinary care for dogs and cats during our regular hours. We also offer local hospital recommendations for after-hours emergency veterinary care ensuring that your pet gets the care they need, when it's needed.

The following situations are examples of emergencies that require immediate care:

• Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
• Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
• Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
• Fractured bones or severe lameness
• Seizures and/or staggering
• Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
• Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea; 2+ episodes in 24-hours
• Injuries to the eye(s)
• Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
• Heat stress or heatstroke
• Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
• Unconsciousness

Emergencies can happen at any time. Some common pet emergencies include:

• Poisoning: To treat your cat or dog quickly and accurately, you will be asked try to provide information on what the toxin was and how much was ingested, when possible. If you would like more information on toxic plants, foods and substances you can learn more from the Pet Poison Helpline and ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control.

• Pancreatitis: This condition occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, commonly seen in dogs that often eat table scraps. Pets experiencing this condition typically show symptoms including loss of appetite, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

• Acute Trauma: This can include serious injuries that were caused by car accidents, altercations with other animals or other incidents. There are a few steps you can follow to quickly manage the situation.

  • First, you should get your pet to safety while ensuring your safety.

  • Then, you will need to stabilize the animal while you transport them to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic or your primary vet.

• Choking / Respiratory Distress: Pets are known to chew on things, especially dogs. Sometimes they end up chewing on something that they shouldn't be and it can become lodged. This should be treated as a medical emergency. If your dog or cat is having difficulty breathing under any circumstances, they should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Bloat: This is also known as volvulus and happens when there is a build-up of gases that result in the twisting of the stomach resulting in pressure on the esophagus and difficulty breathing. Bloat can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Emergency animal hospitals are just like human hospitals—it can be unpredictable, and you may have to wait. 

Some veterinary emergencies require intensive overnight care. The staff at the emergency hospital will provide details if your pet needs to stay overnight.