Urgent Care for Pets in Lakewood, CO

Providing professional care when it's needed most.

Pet Urgent Care in Lakewood, CO

Whether you’re a seasoned pet owner or welcoming a new furry friend into your home, knowing where to seek care in urgent situations is essential. Understanding the difference between urgent care and emergency situations for your pet is key to ensuring their health and safety.

At Stockton Pet Hospital, we provide care for non-life-threatening conditions that still require prompt attention, without the need for an emergency vet visit. Our facility is well-equipped to stabilize pets with life-threatening conditions before transferring them to a specialized emergency pet hospital if needed. If you believe your pet is experiencing an emergency, please call us before coming to our office.

The symptoms and behaviors of conditions that require urgent care can often be similar to those needing emergency vet attention. As a pet parent, we understand that it can be challenging to determine the difference, which is why our team of veterinarians is here to assess your pet’s condition and guide you on the best course of action, including whether an emergency hospital visit is necessary.

Urgent Care: This type of care addresses non-life-threatening conditions that still require prompt attention but don’t typically need immediate emergency intervention. Examples include minor injuries, infections, and discomforts that, if left untreated, could worsen over time.

Emergency Care: These situations are critical and demand immediate veterinary attention to stabilize your pet and prevent severe complications or even loss of life. Examples include severe injuries, life-threatening conditions, and sudden, critical illnesses.

Emergency Vet vs. Urgent care: Understand the differences

Urgent Care	Emergency Care
Vomiting and/or diarrhea	Collapse or loss of consciousness
Lacerations and other surface wounds	Paralysis
Eye redness/irritation	Seizures
Lameness	Choking, cannot breathe
Poisoning (if acute, it may need emergency care)	Excessive bleeding
Allergic reactions	Fractures, broken bones
Ear infections	Penetrating wounds
Urinary tract infections	Foreign Body or toxin ingestion
Respiratory infections	Heatstroke
Skin allergies and infections	Serious Trauma or accident (e.g., hit by a car)
Coughing and sneezing	Stopped breathing
Dehydration	Cardiac arrest
Fever	Distressed pet in labor
Not drinking or eating	Amputation
Toxin ingestion (may need emergency care)	Pneumonia
Upper respiratory infections	Kidney failure
Abscesses	Overnight hospitalization
Back pain	Major wounds and lacerations
Mild lameness or limping	Uncontrollable bleeding
Surface wounds and lacerations	Multiple seizures