Sick Pet Exams & Advanced Diagnostics for Dogs and Cats

Q: How do I know if my pet needs to be seen today?

If your pet is vomiting repeatedly, not eating, lethargic, limping, painful, or behaving unusually, they should be evaluated. When in doubt, call us — we can triage symptoms over the phone.

Q: When is vomiting an emergency?

Repeated vomiting, vomiting with blood, vomiting paired with lethargy, or suspected foreign body ingestion are reasons to seek care promptly. Call us so we can determine the urgency of your pet’s condition.

Q: Can you diagnose illness without bloodwork or X-rays?

Some issues can be identified through a physical exam alone, but many conditions require bloodwork, imaging, or ultrasound to determine the true cause. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate diagnostics for your pet’s symptoms.

Q: Do I need an appointment or can I walk in?

Please call ahead. We offer same-day availability most days, but calling helps us triage your pet and prepare for your arrival.

Q: Do you offer after-hours help?

Yes — we offer after-hours urgent care until 10 PM, but only when available. Availability changes daily, so you must call first to confirm and receive triage instructions.

Q: What if my pet has trouble breathing, collapses, or has a seizure?

Call immediately. We will determine whether we can stabilize your pet or if an emergency hospital is the safest option. For all after-hours situations, calling first is required.

Q: What should I bring to my sick visit?

Bring any medications your pet is taking, recent records, photos or videos of symptoms, and — if GI symptoms are present — a fresh stool sample if available.

Q: What symptoms mean my pet needs to see a veterinarian right away?

Your pet should be evaluated promptly if they are vomiting repeatedly, refusing food, straining to urinate, breathing rapidly, limping, collapsing, shaking, or showing sudden behavior changes. If you’re unsure how urgently your pet needs care, please call — we can triage symptoms over the phone and guide you.

Q: When is diarrhea an emergency for dogs or cats?

Diarrhea is more urgent when it contains blood, lasts more than 24 hours, is paired with vomiting, causes dehydration, or occurs in a puppy, kitten, or senior pet. Chronic or recurring diarrhea should also be evaluated, as it can indicate parasites, infections, dietary issues, or underlying disease.

Q: When is not eating (inappetence) serious?

A healthy adult pet who skips one meal is usually not an emergency, but refusal to eat for more than 24 hours — or sooner in young, senior, or sick pets — should be evaluated. Not eating can be caused by pain, fever, organ disease, nausea, dental problems, or foreign-object ingestion. Call us so we can help determine the urgency.

Q: How do you diagnose what’s wrong with my dog or cat?

Our diagnostic approach may include a physical exam, bloodwork, urinalysis, X-rays, ultrasound, or cytology depending on your pet’s symptoms. Your veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate tests to identify the underlying cause and create an effective treatment plan.

Q: Can you tell if my pet swallowed something?

If your pet may have eaten a toy, bone, sock, string, or other foreign object, we can evaluate with X-rays, ultrasound, and a physical exam. Some items are visible on imaging immediately, while others require additional diagnostics. Foreign-body ingestion is often time-sensitive, so please call as soon as you suspect it.

Q: How long should I wait before bringing my pet in if symptoms start?

Sudden symptoms such as vomiting, not eating, limping, eye squinting, urinary issues, or breathing changes should be evaluated sooner rather than later. In many cases, same-day care improves outcomes. If your pet’s symptoms start overnight or worsen quickly, call us for triage to determine the safest next step.

Q: Can allergies make my pet sick?

Yes. Environmental or food allergies can cause itching, ear infections, skin infections, paw chewing, hot spots, and digestive issues. Chronic allergies can make your pet uncomfortable and may worsen over time. We can evaluate your pet and discuss medical and long-term management options.

Q: Why is my dog or cat drinking more water than usual?

Increased thirst can be a sign of kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid issues, Cushing’s disease, liver disease, infections, or pain. If your pet is suddenly drinking more, schedule an exam — early detection is important for many of these conditions.

Q: Why is my pet shaking or trembling?

Shaking can result from pain, nausea, fever, anxiety, toxins, or metabolic disease. Some pets shake when they feel unwell even without obvious symptoms. If shaking is new, persistent, or paired with other symptoms, your pet should be evaluated.

Q: Can stress or anxiety make my pet act sick?

Stress can cause changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, lethargy, or behavior changes — but these symptoms can also indicate medical problems. Your veterinarian can help determine whether your pet’s symptoms are caused by stress alone or require medical treatment.

Q: Can you treat my pet if they ate something toxic?

Yes, we treat many common toxicities including chocolate, grapes, medications, THC, rodent poison, xylitol, and other household hazards. Always call first so we can triage and prepare for your pet’s arrival.

Q: Does my pet need X-rays or ultrasound?

Your veterinarian may recommend imaging if your pet has vomiting, trouble urinating, limping, coughing, foreign-body concerns, abdominal pain, or unexplained symptoms. X-rays and ultrasound provide crucial information that cannot be seen from an exam alone.

Q: What if my pet’s symptoms come and go?

Intermittent symptoms still warrant evaluation. Issues like stomach upset, limping, coughing, and behavior changes often represent deeper medical problems that fluctuate. Diagnostics can help identify the underlying cause even if symptoms are not constant.

Q: What should I do if my pet ate something but seems fine?

Many dangerous items (string, toys, bones, medications, toxins) do not cause immediate symptoms. Call us right away — we can triage, advise whether your pet needs to be seen, and recommend the safest next steps.

Q: Do senior pets get sick more often?

Yes. Older pets experience age-related changes that may affect mobility, organ function, appetite, and behavior. Because senior pets can decline quickly, new or unusual symptoms should be evaluated sooner rather than later.

Q: Can you run tests in-house or do they need to be sent out?

Most tests — including bloodwork, urine testing, cytology, and some hormone tests — can be run in-house for fast results. Fecal testing and certain advanced panels are sent to our reference laboratory. Your veterinarian will let you know which option is best for your pet’s situation.

Q: What does triage mean when I call?

Triage means we quickly assess your pet’s symptoms over the phone to determine how urgent the situation is, whether after-hours care is available, and what the safest next step should be. This helps us prepare for your arrival or guide you to emergency care if needed.