When your dog or cat faces a sudden health concern that can’t wait for a routine appointment, you need immediate access to compassionate veterinary care during regular business hours. At Pawtown Veterinary Care, Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer prioritize urgent care appointments for dogs and cats experiencing non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt attention and treatment.
Our comprehensive veterinary services include same-day urgent care designed to address sudden illness, minor injuries, and concerning symptoms that develop between routine visits. We understand how stressful it can be when your beloved pet needs immediate care, and our experienced team provides the prompt, professional attention your companion deserves during business hours Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Understanding Urgent Care vs Emergency Care
Pet urgent care addresses conditions that need attention within hours rather than days, but don’t require immediate life-saving intervention. These situations cause concern and discomfort for your pet but typically aren’t life-threatening when treated promptly during regular veterinary hours.
Urgent Care Conditions
Urgent care conditions include persistent vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty urinating, minor wounds that aren’t bleeding heavily, suspected ear infections, eye discharge or irritation, limping without severe trauma, and mild breathing difficulties that don’t involve gasping or collapse. These issues require professional evaluation and treatment, but can usually wait for regular business hours.
Emergency Care Conditions
Emergency conditions require immediate after-hours care at specialized emergency hospitals. These include severe trauma, difficulty breathing with open-mouth breathing or blue gums, suspected poisoning, bloat or abdominal distension, seizures, inability to urinate, severe bleeding, collapse, or unconsciousness. For these life-threatening situations outside our business hours, contact the nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
Understanding this distinction helps you make informed decisions about your pet’s care while ensuring they receive appropriate treatment at the right facility based on the severity of their condition.
Common Pet Urgent Care Situations
There are various scenarios that could lead to an urgent care situation for your pet.
Outdoor Accidents
Central Oregon’s active lifestyle and outdoor environment create unique urgent care needs for dogs and cats. Pets exploring Bend’s beautiful trails may encounter minor injuries, plant irritations, or environmental hazards that require prompt veterinary attention without constituting true emergencies.
Gastrointestinal Upsets
Gastrointestinal upsets from dietary indiscretion, such as getting into garbage or eating unusual items during hikes, frequently require urgent evaluation. Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite that develops suddenly often responds well to prompt treatment before becoming more serious.
Minor Wounds
Minor wounds from outdoor adventures, including small cuts, scrapes, or punctures that aren’t bleeding heavily, benefit from professional cleaning and evaluation to prevent infection. Insect stings, plant reactions, or contact irritations may cause significant discomfort requiring immediate relief.
Urinary Issues
Urinary issues such as frequent urination attempts, straining, or blood in urine need prompt attention to prevent complications. These symptoms can indicate infections, bladder stones, or other conditions that worsen without treatment but typically don’t require after-hours emergency intervention.
Eye Problems
Eye problems, including discharge, squinting, redness, or apparent pain, require urgent evaluation to protect vision and prevent complications. Many eye conditions respond excellently to prompt treatment but can worsen rapidly if ignored.
Our Urgent Care Approach
When you call with urgent concerns during business hours, our team immediately assesses your pet’s condition to determine the appropriate level of care needed. We prioritize urgent appointments and often accommodate same-day visits for pets requiring prompt attention.
Examination
Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer perform thorough examinations to identify the underlying cause of your pet’s symptoms and develop effective treatment plans. Our diagnostic capabilities including in-house laboratory testing and digital radiography allow rapid assessment of urgent conditions.
Treatment
Treatment may include medications for pain or infection, wound care, fluid therapy for dehydration, or other supportive measures based on your pet’s specific needs. We explain your pet’s condition clearly and discuss treatment options to help you make informed decisions about their care.
Follow-Up Care
Follow-up care ensures your pet continues improving after urgent treatment. We provide detailed home care instructions and schedule rechecks as needed to monitor recovery and adjust treatment plans based on your pet’s response.
When to Call for Urgent Care
Contact Pawtown Veterinary Care immediately during business hours if your pet shows concerning symptoms that have developed suddenly or worsened rapidly. Our experienced staff helps determine whether your pet needs urgent attention or can wait for a routine appointment.
Call if your pet experiences persistent vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than a few hours, especially if accompanied by lethargy or loss of appetite. Straining to urinate, producing only small amounts of urine, or showing signs of discomfort while urinating requires prompt evaluation.
Limping that doesn’t improve with rest, swollen or painful areas on your pet’s body, discharge from eyes or ears, or behavioral changes suggesting pain or discomfort all warrant urgent assessment during business hours.
When you call, have information ready about your pet’s symptoms, when they started, any potential causes you can identify, and your pet’s current medications or recent treatments. This helps our team provide appropriate guidance and prepare for your visit.
Business Hours and Availability For Urgent Care Appointments
Pawtown Veterinary Care provides urgent care services Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Our team works to accommodate same-day urgent appointments whenever possible, though availability depends on the severity of cases and current schedule demands.
For urgent concerns arising outside these hours or on weekends, contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital. We’re happy to provide recommendations for after-hours emergency facilities in the Central Oregon area and will coordinate follow-up care when our office reopens.
During business hours, call immediately rather than waiting to see if symptoms improve. Early intervention often prevents complications and provides faster relief for your pet’s discomfort while typically costing less than treating advanced conditions. Our staff remains available throughout business hours to answer questions about your pet’s ongoing recovery and provide guidance about home care following urgent treatment visits.
Pet Urgent Care Payment and Insurance Options
Urgent care situations can create unexpected expenses, but pet health shouldn’t be delayed due to financial concerns.
Financing Options
Pawtown Veterinary Care accepts Care Credit and Scratch Pay financing options, allowing you to focus on your pet’s immediate needs rather than payment worries.
Pet Insurance
Many pet insurance plans cover urgent care visits and treatments, especially when addressing medical conditions rather than routine preventive care. We provide the necessary documentation for insurance claims and work with you to maximize your coverage benefits.
Clear Cost Estimates
Clear cost estimates help you understand treatment expenses upfront, allowing informed decisions about your pet’s care. Our hometown approach means we discuss all options honestly and help you choose the best treatment plan within your budget.
Payment Plans
Payment plans through our financing partners often provide interest-free periods for qualified applicants, making urgent care more accessible when your pet needs immediate attention during regular business hours.
Contact Pawtown Veterinary Care for Urgent Needs Today
When your dog or cat faces urgent health concerns during business hours, Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer provide the prompt, compassionate care your pet deserves. Our locally-owned practice combines medical expertise with the personal attention that helps pets and families navigate stressful urgent care situations.
Don’t hesitate to contact us when you’re concerned about your pet’s health or when symptoms develop that can’t wait for routine appointment scheduling. Our experienced team helps determine the appropriate level of care needed and accommodates urgent visits whenever possible during our Monday through Friday business hours. Contact our urgent care team immediately when your pet needs prompt veterinary attention, and let us provide the skilled, caring treatment that helps your beloved companion feel better quickly.