Clarksville Veterinary Emergency and Specialty
Symptoms that may signal your pet is having a health emergency:
Labored or stopped breathing
Discoloration of the mouth (ex: blue or red gums or tongue)
Large cuts or wounds that are excessively bleeding or have visible bone
Sudden passing out, collapse, or difficulty getting back up
Failure to respond or rouse when called or moved
A bite from an unidentified snake or insect
A bite from a wild animal or another pet whose vaccination history is unknown to you
Seizures
Paralysis of the back legs (especially in cats)
Any combination of vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, staggering, difficulty urinating, and excessive panting or drooling may be signs of anaphylactic shock
Any combination of swelling, hives, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea may be symptoms of heatstroke
If your pet is suffering from any of the above symptoms or is displaying other severe signs of illness please call our Clarksville facility at (931) 551-2121. We accept walk-in emergencies when your primary care veterinarian’s office is closed. If you have any doubt if your pet is having an emergency, do not hesitate to call us so we can assist you in determining the urgency of your pet’s health problem.
What You Should Do if Your Pet Is Having an Emergency.
If you suspect your pet is having a medical emergency, please remain calm and follow the below steps so that you can get your pet the treatment they need. Moving confidently, quickly, and safely can keep your pet from becoming more stressed and frightened than they already are.
Get your pet to a safe location.
If your pet is injured near a potential hazard, such as roadways or a venomous snake, carefully move them to safety. Putting a soft cloth over your pet’s eyes and face may calm them down, and towels can make a makeshift stretcher that can help you move your pet.
Contact our hospital.
Examine your pet and take note of their symptoms, then call us at (931) 551-2121. A quick explanation of your pet’s health emergency can help our veterinary staff prepare to care for your pet. Upon arrival at our hospital, you can provide more details about the injury or ailment your pet is suffering.
Put your pet in your vehicle.
If possible, get another adult to help you move your animal to your car. If necessary, you can provide towels or blankets to your pet to keep them comfortable on the drive over.
Carefully drive to our hospital. Our staff will provide more instruction upon arrival.
Not every animal health issue may constitute a medical emergency. The information detailed above will help you assess the severity of your pet’s condition and can help determine the course of action you should take. If there is any doubt regarding your pet’s safety, please call our Clarksville hospital at (931) 551-2121.
What happens if I come to the hospital without checking in first?
If you have not checked in online prior to coming in, our veterinary nurse will triage your pet to assess the urgency of their condition. If your pet is stable, we will have you and your pet wait comfortably at home in the queue.
What if I decide I no longer want or need to have my pet seen?
If you have checked in on our waitlist, click the dashboard link to cancel your request or call the hospital and let our Client Care Specialists know so we can take your pet out of the waiting queue.
How do I know if my pet’s condition is critical and needs to be brought in immediately or is able to wait their turn?
If you are unsure if your pet is experiencing an emergency, we encourage you to call our hospital. We are always here to help you assess your pet’s individual circumstances.
What is the order that patients are seen by the Emergency Department?
Checking into the queue is NOT an appointment for services. It merely puts your pet on the waiting list to be seen. We cannot guarantee a specific time that your pet will be seen, and the wait can be extended. We see patients in order of critical status. The queue does not reflect patients currently being treated and patients that are currently hospitalized at our facility.
