Yes. Our emergency hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. You do not need an appointment for emergency care.

No. Emergency care is walk-in. You can drive straight to the hospital. Calling ahead is helpful if your pet is unstable so we can prepare, but it is not required.

Wait times vary by hour and by how many critical patients are in the hospital. Check the live wait time indicator on our homepage, or call the front desk for the current estimate. Pets are seen in order of medical severity, not arrival time, so a stable pet may wait while a critical patient is treated first.

Bring your dog in right away if any of these are true: there is blood in the vomit, the vomiting has lasted more than 12 hours, your dog cannot keep water down, your dog is lethargic or weak, the belly looks bloated, or your dog is a puppy or senior. A single episode in an otherwise normal adult dog can often be monitored at home for a few hours.

Chocolate toxicity depends on the type of chocolate, the amount, and your dog’s weight. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Call us or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 with your dog’s weight and the amount and type of chocolate eaten. If signs include vomiting, restlessness, tremors, or a racing heart, come in immediately.

Cooked bones, especially poultry bones, can splinter and cause choking, esophageal tears, or GI obstruction. If your dog is choking, gagging, drooling heavily, or trying to vomit without producing anything, come in now. If your dog seems fine, call us to talk through the size of the bone and your dog’s size so we can advise on monitoring.

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 first. They will give you a case number and a specific treatment plan. Bring that case number with you when you come in. Common urgent toxins we treat include chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol, THC edibles, nicotine, onion and garlic, rodenticide, antifreeze, and human medications.

Yes, especially in male cats. A urinary blockage can be fatal within 24 to 48 hours. Signs include going to the litter box repeatedly with little or no urine, crying out, licking the genitals, vomiting, or hiding. Come in immediately.

If the seizure has stopped and your dog has had seizures before and is on medication, contact your primary vet. Come to emergency right away if it is the first seizure your dog has ever had, the seizure lasted longer than 5 minutes, your dog has had more than one seizure in 24 hours, or your dog is not returning to normal after the seizure.

Bring your pet in immediately. In North Carolina, copperhead bites are the most common. Keep your pet calm and carry them if possible. Do not apply ice, a tourniquet, or try to suck out venom. Note the time of the bite and the snake’s appearance if you saw it.

We accept CareCredit, Scratchpay, and VetBilling. All three offer payment plans with approval. CareCredit and Scratchpay can be applied for from your phone before or during your visit. We require a deposit before treatment begins, usually 25 to 50% of the estimated total. We do not offer in-house payment plans.

Payment is due at the time of service. If you have pet insurance, we will provide an itemized invoice and any records you need to submit a claim for reimbursement from your insurance provider after your visit.

Spay, neuter, and routine wellness care are handled by our primary care team by appointment, not through the emergency hospital. Call during business hours to schedule.

Our emergency hospital primarily treats dogs and cats. For rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, and other exotics, we recommend contacting an avian and exotic specialty hospital in the area. Call us first and we can point you to the closest option.

Yes. We provide compassionate in-clinic euthanasia 24 hours a day. The service includes a private room, time with your pet before and after, and aftercare options including communal or private cremation with paw print and clay impression keepsakes. Call ahead if you can so we can prepare a quiet space.

Our emergency surgical capabilities vary by day and on-call staffing. For specialized procedures including C-sections, perineal urethrostomy (PU), TPLO, and other advanced surgeries, call us first so we can confirm availability or refer you to the closest hospital that can help.

We do not offer mobile or in-home services from the emergency hospital. For in-home euthanasia or wellness visits, search for mobile veterinary services in your area. Our emergency team is available 24/7 at the hospital.

If your primary vet sent a referral, come in for emergency care as a walk-in, or call us to schedule a specialty consultation if your referral is for oncology, internal medicine, or surgery. Bring any records or imaging your primary vet sent home with you, or ask them to email records ahead.

Tenemos personal que habla español disponible durante muchas horas del día. Si llama y necesita ayuda en español, pídalo y haremos lo posible para conectarlo con un miembro del equipo bilingüe. We have Spanish-speaking staff available during many hours. Ask when you call and we will connect you with a bilingual team member if one is available.