Bentley Animal Hospital

Emergency Vet in Fenton

Emergencies happen. Here at Bentley Animal Hospital Veterinary Clinic, we have specific protocols in place to help get your pet to the doctor as soon as possible in an emergency situation. Understanding these protocols will help you and our staff to best care for your pet in times of crisis.

What to Do in a Pet Emergency

Call Us

If your pet has an emergency situation during our business hours, call Bentley Animal Hospital immediately. Tell the reception staff that you are on your way, approximately how far away you are, and a brief explanation of what the emergency is. This will allow our staff to set up for the stabilization of your pet’s condition and prepare for any anticipated diagnostic tests.

When You Arrive

When you enter the building, tell the receptionists your pet’s name and that this is an emergency situation. The receptionist will page for triage. This page signals the closest technicians to the front to evaluate your pet. Often in emergencies, your pet may require medical stabilization such as oxygen or intravenous fluids due to shock. The technician may need to bring your pet directly to the treatment area to be evaluated by a doctor and to start these life-saving measures. The technician could ask for verbal permission for stabilization, and the front desk will have paperwork for you to approve stabilization of your pet’s condition. Having your pet taken to the treatment area can certainly be a scary situation, but know that the measures taken in those first 10 minutes can save your pet's life.

Stabilization and Treatment

After your pet has been taken to the treatment area and stabilization has been approved, the receptionist will place you into a room with a questionnaire to complete. The answers to these questions will help the veterinary team better evaluate your pet (with past medical history) and the cause of their current emergency. A technician or doctor will be in the room shortly to give you an update on your pet and to review the answers to the questionnaire.

Our Goal

In any emergency, our goal is to stabilize your pet, identify immediate concerns, and get the doctor in to speak with you as soon as possible. Depending on your pet’s condition this may be a matter of a few minutes or a little longer. Once stabilization is achieved and the doctor has spoken to you about their concerns, an estimate for further care will be provided. If the doctor determines that your pet needs 24-hour doctor care or the care of a board-certified specialist, Bentley Animal Hospital can transport critical cases to specialty clinics with a doctor, monitoring equipment, and supportive care en route.

Despite knowing the protocols, we understand that emergencies are scary and intimidating. Rest assured that our technicians and doctors are well-trained and experienced in the field of emergency medicine and are working quickly and effectively to get your pet the care that they require.

What is Considered a Pet Emergency?

Bring your pets in immediately if your pet is:

  • Is having difficulty breathing
  • Is vomiting (especially with blood)
  • Is bleeding excessively
  • Is having a seizure or loss of balance
  • Is visibly in pain or panting heavily
  • Has eaten/swallowed a foreign object
  • Has suffered serious trauma or injury
  • Is unconscious
  • Is experiencing unusual swelling
  • Is having irregular or bloody bowel movements
  • Is having trouble urinating or is vocalizing while urinating
  • Is acting erratically or biting at imaginary objects
  • Has suffered heat stroke or severe dehydration
  • Has had diarrhea for more than 24 hours straight
  • Has eaten/swallowed a poisonous substance
  • Seems to have lost its sight (sudden blindness)
  • Has a swollen abdomen that appears painful when touched
  • Is pregnant and having difficulty delivering puppies or kittens
  • Any other symptoms or situations of concern

After Hours Emergency Care

If you are having an emergency after hours, please call:

Veterinary Speciality Services
1021 Howard George Drive
Manchester, MO 63021
636-227-6100

They are open:

  • Monday-Friday 5:30 PM - 8:00 AM
  • Weekend & Holidays 24 hours

Poison Control

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, please call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC)* at 888-426-4435 right away. The APCC is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You may also contact the Pet Poison Hotline* at 855-764-7661.

* A consultation fee may apply.

Join the Bentley Animal Hospital Family Today!

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