Tips for handling pet emergencies

Our Doctors are trained and experienced to handle emergencies whenever they arise.  Should your emergency occur during office hours we ask you to come directly to the hospital, if at all possible have someone call ahead to alert us to your arrival and the nature of your emergency.  Frequently, emergencies don’t follow a convenient schedule, and tend to present at odd hours.  Altitude Veterinary Hospital offers 24 hour emergency response, not 24 hour care-meaning, our office is not staffed 24 hours.  Should an emergency occur after hours, our Doctors are ready to assist you-simply call our office and leave a message on our emergency line.  Briefly describe your emergency, being sure to include your name and phone number.  Your message will be forwarded immediately to the doctor on call, and they will return your call as soon as possible to offer assistance, and make plans to meet you, if necessary, to handle your emergency.  In some cases, treatment options can be discussed over the phone and begun at home, allowing you to postpone your visit until regular office hours. 

Our hospital is furnished with state-of-the-art equipment and supplies that allow us to provide the best emergency care for your pets.  Chest tubes, specialty catheters, and other equipment are readily available.  We are able to run blood work in our in-house lab, providing quick results and allowing us to offer tests at reasonable prices.  Our digital radiography allows us to see pictures immediately, ensuring we get the exact picture needed without additional costs related to film and development as with traditional radiography (x-rays).  Ultrasound equipment enables us to quickly identify and locate internal problems and helps in determining the extent of injuries.  Some pets may require more intensive care that can be received in our climate controlled ICU unit.  This means your pet can receive oxygen therapy without the risk of overheating.  In rare cases your pet’s emergency may require surgery.  We offer human grade anesthetic and monitoring equipment and drugs that ensure your pet’s safety and comfort throughout the procedure.  Typically all your pet’s needs can be handled by our doctors, but certain circumstances may require a referral to CSU or other specialty hospital is indicated-in all cases it is our goal to set up a plan that works for you and your pet, and gets them on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.