Emergency Services

Veterinary Emergency Care

Shively Animal Clinic & Hospital PSC is your around-the-clock animal emergency center for existing patients. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day for dogs, cats, birds, and exotics. Conveniently located in Louisville, KY, we’re here for you when your pet suffers an emergency and needs immediate medical attention. 

Veterinarian Checking Up The Dog — Louisville, KY — Shively Animal Clinic & Hospital

What to Do in an Animal Emergency

If you believe your pet is in danger or suffering from a serious emergency, the first thing to do is to call us immediately at 502-778-8317. We can help walk you through immediate first steps or first aid, as well as go through what to expect as you transport your animal to our facility. It is nearly impossible to handle most animal medical emergencies at home—you do need professional veterinary care to avoid exacerbating the problem.

Helpful Tips

  • Be gentle and remain calm, especially when transporting your pet. Your pet is likely scared and may instinctively shy away from help or negatively react to a panicking human.
  • Avoid placing your face near your pet’s mouth or paws. If your pet unintentionally or reflexively bites or scratches, you do not want to be injured.
  • If your pet has ingested something to which he or she is allergic or that is toxic, try to bring the label or container with you as you visit our emergency room.
  • If your pet is bleeding, apply a clean cloth or bandage and keep pressure on the wound—just like with people!

What Constitutes an Emergency?

Some examples of veterinary emergencies include:

  • Your pet collapses or suddenly becomes too weak to function
  • Experiences severe or uncontrollable diarrhea or vomiting
  • Is seriously bleeding
  • Is unwilling to eat for 24 hours or more
  • Is more lethargic than usual for 24 hours or more
  • Has trouble urinating or defecating
  • Has trouble breathing or breathing becomes erratic or irregular
  • Ingests a poison or a food that they cannot process
  • Is injured (including car accidents, cuts, falls, etc.)
  • Experiences seizures

So that we can best serve you, please give us a call at 502-778-8317 before making your way to the clinic so we can best advise. We can help walk you through immediate first aid or coach you on what you should do to get your pet here safely. 

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