We understand that if an emergency occurs, you want the best experts ready to treat your animal quickly and compassionately. For this reason, our team of ER veterinarians in Madison, Wisconsin, is always available to provide immediate assistance to small animals in our pet hospital, as well as equine, bovine and livestock in the Morrie Waud Large Animal Hospital.
Here, we are uniquely equipped with all of the latest tools and technologies to care for critically ill or injured patients, ensuring you will have access to whatever treatments and specialists your companion requires.
To best prepare for an emergency, store our number in your phone. Call Now
HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN EMErGENCY
Emergencies can be scary, and it isn’t always clear if an illness or injury requires a trip to our small or large animal emergency hospitals.
Symptoms that may be life-threatening and require emergency care:
- Trouble breathing
- Seizures (loss of consciousness, paddling of limbs)
- Ingestion of poisons or intoxicants
- Collapse, loss of consciousness or significant lethargy (dullness)
- Trauma
- Straining to urinate or inability to pass urine
- Nonproductive retching or multiple episodes of vomiting
- Eye injuries
- Difficult labor
If you are unsure whether you should bring your animal to our ER, please call 608-263-7600.
COMMON TYPES OF PROCEDURES
- Providing IV fluids and electrolytes to help treat dehydration and/or shock.
- Providing supplemental oxygen via a mask or by placing the patient in an oxygen-enriched cage to support animals with pneumonia or other lung diseases.
- Providing appropriate pain medications based on regular assessment with a pain scoring system implemented (and customized to your animal) by our anesthesiology and pain management team.
- Treating with antibiotics or other needed medications via our pharmacy. Our critical care also unit houses an automated medication and supply dispensing system that ensures access to vital medications and other supplies.
- Administering needed blood products to reverse anemia or low blood proteins. Our volunteer blood donor program helps to ensure that we have adequate volumes of blood products.
- Providing wound care including suturing lacerations and bandaging.
- Placing temporary feeding tubes for patients who are too ill to eat on their own.
- Placing and maintaining urinary catheters in patients with obstructions or illnesses that prevent them from being able to urinate safely on their own.
- Sampling and/or removing abnormal fluid around the lungs, heart or in the abdomen.
- Frequent monitoring of vital signs including heart rate, oxygenation and breathing rate, blood pressure, ECG.
payment information
We understand that paying for your animal’s medical needs can be stressful. Your animal deserves the best care and we have various payment options, so your focus can be on getting your animal healthy.
How to Safely Transport Your Pet in an Emergency
Injured pets can be unpredictable when experiencing a traumatic or painful situation. Keep these key tips in mind as you prepare to transport your animal to our Madison emergency veterinary clinic:
- Practice caution to avoid injury to yourself and others nearby.
- Use a blanket to safely move or lift an injured animal.
- In the case of trauma, keep the injured animal on a firm surface.
- If you suspect that your pet has eaten or been exposed to a poison or intoxicant, bring along any packaging that might help our staff quickly identify the substance.
- Bring any medications your pet or large animal is currently taking, so that our team may have a complete picture of their medical condition.
Parking
Parking at the Small Animal Hospital
The Small Animal Hospital has dedicated parking directly in front of our main entrance as well as in Lot 62. Because parking is limited on campus, our receptionist may ask for your vehicle make and license plate number for verification purposes.
Entrance and Parking for Trailers
After you arrive, please contact one of our staff if they are not immediately present to greet you so that we may unload your animal from your trailer.
If it is helpful for you to leave your trailer here while your animal is an inpatient, you may use our dedicated parking stalls. Learn more about this option from our staff.
ER Status
ER Status and Hospitalization capacity change frequently. We highly recommend calling ahead to verify availability. We can be reached at 608-263-7600
Due to staffing shortages and to ensure proper care of the hospitalized patients, UWVC Small Animal Emergency Care closes as the need arises and we highly recommend you to call us ahead of time. In the event, our ER service is closed, please seek medical help at another emergency clinic.
ANIMAL EMERGENCY? CALL NOW: 608-263-7600
If your animal is in need of emergency care and you can call ahead, please do so. Due to staffing shortages and space constraints, especially overnight, it is likely that ER may be closed or we may be accepting fewer cases. Calling ahead will also help us prepare for your arrival.