Emergencies

Please call us immediately for any emergency. Our emergency number is our office number: (520) 761-8686. When you call the number above after regular business hours you will be given the phone number of the veterinarian on call.

Emergencies are shared with other local veterinarians. In some instances you will be transferred to the voice mail of the mobile emergency line. Be sure to leave a detailed message and your call will be returned just as soon as possible.

Do not use the mobile emergency line during regular hours. We are fully equipped to deal with all emergencies including snakebites (antivenom always on hand), javelina and dog bite wounds, vehicular accidents and obstetric problems. The hospital is not staffed around the clock, so should your pet require 24-hour critical care, arrangements will be made to transfer them to a critical care facility.

Rattlesnake Bites / Dog Bites / Javelina Attacks
Possible poisoning
Vomiting / Diarrhea
Hit by a car
Seizures
Dog can't get up

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Rattlesnake Bites / Dog Bites / Javelina Attacks
Do not attempt first aid at home except to apply pressure with a clean towel over areas that are bleeding very heavily.

Bring the animal in right away, do not try to dress, cover or apply ointment to the wounds.

Do not ice or hot-pack rattlesnake bites, do not enlarge the fang marks or attempt to suck out the venom. Rattlesnake antivenin works best when given as soon as possible after the bite.

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Possible poisoning
For rat poison, insecticides, herbicides, anti-freeze and all other non-caustic poisons:
Give Hydrogen peroxide 1 TBS per 20 lbs. by mouth to induce vomiting, then bring the pet in immediately.

For caustic poisons such as acid, lye or bleach: do not induce vomiting, bring the pet in immediately.

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Vomiting / Diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms associated with hundreds of diseases. Many of these diseases are quite serious, particularly for young animals. Dehydration occurs very quickly and for this reason these animals should be seen early in the course of their disease. If there is any delay in bringing the animal in, offer no food for 12 hours and offer water, gatorade or pedialyte in frequent small amounts. Licking ice cubes may help with hydration while preventing overload that could result in vomiting.

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Hit by a car
Be very careful handling injured animals as they may bite severely even those they love the most in their fear and pain. Use one large towel or blanket tightly over the head while sliding the animal onto another blanket to be used as a stretcher. Do not attempt first aid in the field other than applying pressure to wounds that are bleeding heavily, preferably with a clean towel.
Bring the animal to the hospital immediately.

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Seizures
Most seizures will stop within minutes. Do not attempt to give the animal anything by mouth or to hold his or her tongue during a seizure as a severe bite wound may result. Throw a blanket over the animal if needed to prevent him or her from falling down stairs or otherwise injuring herself.

Seizures occurring on top of the previous seizure are life-threatening and must be seen immediately. If the seizures are not on-going then the animal should be seen as soon as reasonably possible.

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Dog can't get up
There are numerous possible causes - use a blanket as a stretcher to load the dog into your vehicle and bring him into the clinic as soon as possible. If he is at all painful when moved then protect yourself by covering his head tightly with another towel or blanket while transporting.