Emergency and Urgent Situations
Here When Your Pet Needs Help … Without Judgment, Without Hesitation
Emergency and urgent situations need fast, calm help. During business hours, Glastonbury Veterinary Hospital is here for your pet.
We know how stressful it can feel when your dog or cat companion is suddenly sick, injured, or “just not acting like themselves.” Whether you’re worried something serious is happening or you simply need reassurance, our team is here to support you with compassion, clear guidance, and no judgment. We’ve experienced those scary, unexpected moments with our own pets as well. Accidents happen, and we’re here to help you through them.
If your pet is experiencing an urgent concern during business hours, please call us right away. We will talk through your pet’s symptoms, help you decide the best next step, and work to see your pet as quickly as possible.
Urgent Care vs. Emergencies: What’s the Difference?
Urgent Care
These situations are concerning but not immediately life-threatening.
Please call us immediately so we can help you to determine the next best step for your pet.
Common examples include:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Ear infections
- Eye irritation
- Lameness or limping
- Minor wounds
- Pain or discomfort without collapse
- Sudden behavior changes
- Vomiting or diarrhea (especially if sudden or persistent)
Emergency Situations
These require immediate medical attention.
If this happens during our business hours, please call us right away.
If it’s outside our hours, go directly to the nearest emergency hospital.
Common examples include:
- A bloated or distended abdomen
- Collapse or inability to stand
- Difficulty breathing
- Ingestion of toxins, medications, or foreign objects
- Major trauma (hit by car, big fall, dog fight)
- Severe pain
- Seizures
- Sudden inability to urinate (especially male cats)
- Uncontrolled bleeding
After-Hours Emergency Care
If your pet experiences a medical emergency when we are closed, we trust the following emergency veterinary hospitals to provide exceptional, timely care:
Bolton Veterinary Hospital
222 Boston Turnpike
Bolton, CT 06043
(860) 646-6134
Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine
4 Devine St
North Haven, CT 06473
(203) 865-0878
Vet Specialists of West Hartford
993 N Main St
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 236-3273
Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center
730 Randolph Rd
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 347-8387
When You’re Worried, We’re Here
Whether it’s a true emergency or something you’ve simply never seen before, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team is here for guidance, reassurance, and help when you need it most.
Call us anytime during business hours for urgent concerns.
For after-hours emergencies, please contact one of the trusted hospitals above.
Emergency and Urgent Situations: Your Questions Answered
Clear answers to the questions Glastonbury pet owners ask us most.
Do you see urgent cases the same day?
Yes. During our open hours, Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, we make room for urgent cases whenever possible. Please call (860) 633-3588 before you leave so our team can prepare for your arrival.
What counts as a pet emergency?
Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe bleeding, suspected poisoning, repeated vomiting, a swollen or hard belly, inability to urinate, and major trauma all need immediate care. The AVMA’s emergency care guide lists more warning signs.
What should I do if my pet eats something toxic?
Call us right away, or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.
What if my pet has an emergency after hours?
If we are closed, please go directly to the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital. We will happily coordinate follow-up care once your pet is stable.
Is vomiting or diarrhea an emergency?
A single episode in an otherwise bright pet can often wait for a regular visit, but repeated vomiting, blood, or lethargy needs prompt attention. See our digestive care page.
Should I call before bringing my pet in for urgent care?
Yes, please call (860) 633-3588 on your way. Telling us what happened helps our team prepare and lets us advise you if your pet would be better served at a 24-hour emergency hospital.
What should I bring to an urgent visit?
Bring any medications your pet takes, packaging from anything they may have eaten, and a note of when the symptoms started. If your pet is injured, keep them as calm and still as possible during the drive.