It always seems like issues with our pets come up at the worst possible times. Just as we’re getting ready to host guests at home, the dog eats the brownies that were supposed to be desert. When the kids are already running late for school, the cat’s tail gets stuck in a closing door. You are leaving a baseball game and that’s when you notice that the dog has a smelly ear that they can’t stop itching. Your vet is closed on Sunday and of course that’s when the cat starts peeing outside of the litter box.
Anyone that has ever been to a veterinary emergency room, knows that it can be a busy and chaotic place. If your pet is stable, you may wait for hours watching other pets jump ahead of your pet in line. It can be stressful to watch the time tick by as your hopes for doing anything else that day go up in smoke. Of course, we’re always grateful to not have the sickest patient in the room, but that still doesn’t mean we want to live in the waiting room all day!
At EPIC Veterinary Urgent Care, we know the ER because we have been ER doctors for years! We wanted to build a place where issues could be addressed right away in a place that was caring, competent and devoted to excellent customer service. Our ample exam rooms mean that you can wait in comfortable privacy with your pet until it’s your turn. We will also keep you and your pet together for as much as the visit as you wish. Or, if you prefer, we can keep your pet here and get things done while you go to that baseball game!
Sometimes people ask us, “Should I bring my pet in to be seen?” Usually, the answer is, if you are worried, please come in to give yourself the comfort of knowing that your baby is ok. From 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, our doctors and staff are happy to get on the phone with you and help you decide if you need to come in right away or if you can wait until a better time.
Urgent care is built to see things like skin infections or irritation, limping, urinary tract infections or pain. Because of our experience as ER doctors and our state-of-the-art facility, we can also accommodate more critical issues such as wound repairs, surgery, outpatient parvovirus treatment, poisoning, intoxications or sedated exams for anxious pets. Echocardiograms can be performed here 7 days a week to assess heart function, or to get ready for a planned anesthetic procedure; the results will be in the hands of your veterinarian, usually within 24 hours!
In some instances, we may need to refer you to other facilities for care. This may mean following-up with your primary veterinarian in a few days (they will have the records by the end-of-day)! If speciality or emergency care is needed for your pet, we can provide referrals and help give you an idea of what to expect. We will even call ahead and make sure the ER is ready for you!
Sadly, our pets can’t be with us forever. As end-of-life approaches, pet parents can find themselves struggling with questions about quality of life or palliative care. We can help you to work through these questions and process what you are feeling. When the decision is made to let your pet go, we can gently provide humane euthanasia while you stay with your pet the whole time. We hope that your pet stays out of trouble. However, if you need us EPIC Veterinary Urgent Care is here, ready and waiting, for you and your pet.
Author: Dr. Emily Volk, Co-Owner, Veterinarian