SAGE Veterinary Centers
What is an Emergency?
SAGE Emergency is available 24/7, including holidays to help your pet.
Any of the following are reasons to call or come in to see us:
Changes to oral gum color
Difficulty breathing
Allergic reaction (hives, facial swelling, severe itching or red eyes)
Exposure to any chemicals
Ingestion of foreign material
Weakness/changes in alertness
Seizures, loss of balance, and inability to walk
Trembling or shaking
Pain, discomfort, or lameness
Straining to urinate
Distended or bloated abdomen
Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or non-productive retching
Ingestion of toxins, poisonous plants, or household medications
Difficulty delivering kittens or puppies
Exposure to high temperatures
Bleeding
Hit by car
Fall from height
Bite wounds from other animals
Broken bones
Behavior changes or actions that just don’t feel right in your mind
Most of our Emergency veterinarians have interned for an additional year after veterinary school, and several have completed three-year residencies and are board-certified specialists in Emergency and Critical Care.
Our emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
A trip to the ER can be routine or involved. Often problems can be solved in one visit and your pet can return home. We treat many illnesses that require routine testing and medications.
With a good home care plan set in place by our team, you will be fine to leave with your pet and recheck with your primary veterinarian in a few days.
When the problem is more involved, and especially if life-threatening, our critical care equipment and expertise come into play.
Critical care is the continuous support and monitoring of the animal’s needs. Those needs can include oxygen delivery, IV fluids, blood or plasma transfusions, surgery, nutritional delivery and, of course, TLC.
Urgent Care for Minor Illnesses
SAGE also offers same-day Urgent Care services at our Redwood City hospital for concerning, but not critical health issues.
Our Urgent Care department helps us reduce wait times for patients, and provides our clients with added convenience.
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Common causes for visits to the emergency room include persistent vomiting or diarrhea, ingestion of chemicals or toxins, and trauma, such as being hit by a car.
Don’t hesitate to see a veterinarian if you suspect your pet is in distress.
Urgent Care Examples
Urgent Care services will provide same-day appointments for clients who are seeking immediate care for non-emergency issues.
Here are some examples of Urgent Care appointments:
Coughing or sneezing
Superficial cuts or wounds
Minor vomiting or diarrhea
Weakness or changes in alertness
Loss of appetite
Trembling or shaking
Discomfort or mild lameness
Tick removal
Ear and skin infections
Irritated or red eyes
Any signs that are troubling to you or your pet
In human medicine, urgent care provides a convenient way for patients to be seen for problems that may not warrant a trip to the ER.
SAGE’s Urgent Care department fills the same need for your pet.
A patient experiencing an emergency never needs an appointment to be seen.
We practice triage, which is the process of sorting patients based on the severity of their condition. Sometimes this means we must attend to animals not in their order of arrival, but in their order of need.
ASPCA Poison Control
The ASPCA Poison Control Hotline is a resource for pet owners who worry their pet has ingested something that could be toxic. They have a major database of known toxins, their effects, and how they should be treated.
Please note there is a fee for their consultation by phone, at (888) 426-4435.
Pet Poison Helpline
The Pet Poison Helpline also provides 24-hour pet poison control services.
Please note there is a fee for their consultation by phone, at (888) 426-4435.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Urgent Care and Emergency Care?
The difference between Urgent Care and the Emergency Room is the severity of the health problem.
If the condition is life-threatening, go to the Emergency Room.
If the condition is a minor illness or injury, take advantage of the same-day convenience of setting an appointment with our Urgent Care department.
How long will I have to wait to be seen if it is an emergency?
Upon arrival, a veterinary technician will triage your pet. The technician will assess the degree of urgency and take a brief history. They will evaluate your pet’s breathing patterns and heart rhythm, and will check for obvious signs of trauma, fractures, or injuries.
The seriousness of your pet’s medical condition will determine how quickly a doctor will meet with you. A patient that arrives after you may be seen first due to the nature of their condition.
Our goal is to provide the best possible care and treatment for your pet as quickly as we can.
