Emergency Pet Care
You know your pet better than anyone else. If you notice your pet behaving in a way that's unusual, or if something just doesn't seem right, you may have picked up on a subtle sign of a real problem.
The Grand Rapids Veterinary Clinic provides urgent care and emergency triage for pet patients in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area and triage for pet patients experiencing emergencies.
Grand Rapids Area Pet Emergencies
Office Hours:
Monday & Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tues., Wed., Thurs.: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During Office Hours Call: 218-326-0395
After Hours Triage: 218-326-0395
When you call us after hours, a live licensed veterinary professional will answer who will help you determine whether your pet emergency requires an immediate referral to Blue Pearl Emergency Pet Hospital in Duluth, or whether it’s safe to wait and schedule an appointment the next business day with one of our staff veterinarians.
If referred to:
Blue Pearl Emergency Pet Hospital in Duluth - 218-302-8000
or
Red River Animal Emergency Hospital in Fargo - 701-478-9299
The teams at these facilities are available to triage emergency situations and offer the best treatment recommendations.
Longville Area Pet Emergencies:
As of February 2023, we have closed our satellite practice in Longville. Please use same Emergency Info as our Grand Rapids location.
When Is It an Emergency?
- Your pet has experienced some kind of trauma, such as being hit by a car or a blunt object or falling more than a few feet.
- Your pet isn't breathing or you can't feel a heartbeat.
- Your pet is unconscious and won't wake up.
- Your pet has been vomiting or has had diarrhea for more than 24 hours, or is vomiting blood.
- You suspect any broken bones.
- Your pet is having trouble breathing.
- Your pet has had or is having a seizure.
- Your pet is bleeding from the eyes, nose or mouth, or there is blood in the urine or feces.
- You think your pet might have ingested something toxic, such as antifreeze, rat poison, household cleansers, or any kind of medication that wasn't prescribed.
- Your pet, particularly your male cat, is straining to urinate, or is unable to.
- Your pet shows signs of extreme pain, such as whining, shaking, and refusing to socialize.
- Your pet collapses or suddenly can't stand up.
- Your pet begins bumping into things or suddenly becomes disoriented.
- You can see irritation or injury to your pet's eyes, or it suddenly seems to become blind.
- Your pet's abdomen is swollen and hard to the touch, and/or it is gagging and trying to vomit.
- You see symptoms of heatstroke or hypothermia.
- Your pregnant dog or cat has gone more than three to four hours between delivering puppies or kittens.
You're never wrong to call if you are concerned about your pet and you should never feel embarrassed about calling a veterinarian. Veterinarians are used to emergencies and we prepare for them. AAHA-accredited hospitals like Grand Rapids Veterinary Clinic, are required to provide access to emergency care, either in their own facility or through referral to another hospital.
You may also want to have a list of pet first aid tips easily accessible, along with guidelines for human first aid (see pet first aid kit).