What to Expect While you Wait in the Emergency Room
We understand this can be stressful, and your pet’s health is our priority. Here’s how things work here in the ER so you know what to expect, why there might be a wait, and how we’re taking care of the most critical cases first.
Our Team & Commitment
- We are open 24 hours a day, every day—nights, weekends, holidays.
- Our ER team includes doctors and critical care specialists who work together with our in-house specialists and referring veterinarians.
What Is Triage & Why It Matters
- When your pet arrives, we first assess how serious their condition is. This is called triage. It helps us decide who needs care first.
- Pets with life-threatening issues are seen immediately, even if they arrived after someone else.
- We know this may feel unfair, but it ensures the most urgent cases are stabilized right away.
Wait Times: What You Should Know
Because of how triage works, someone who arrives after you may be seen before you if their pet’s condition is more critical. We do our best to let you know what’s happening and keep you updated.
The partial list below will give you a sense of how we triage emergencies here at PVESC. If your pet’s condition has worsened while you are waiting, please notify a member of our team immediately so that they can reassess your pet.
Our Promise to You
- Your pet will be treated with compassion, respect, and urgency.
- We will stabilize critical patients first and keep you informed.
- For pets that require treatment, we’ll explain what’s needed, possible risks, and approximate timelines.
If you have questions while you wait, feel free to ask our staff. We want you to be as comfortable and informed as possible. Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s care.