FOR EMERGENCY VETERINARY SERVICES CALL 941-355-2884
THE EMERGENCY TRIAGE SYSTEM
LEVEL 01
Resuscitation (Overhead call for Technician)
This level category includes pets that arrive comatose, or in respiratory/cardiac arrest. Immediate stabilization efforts are required and instituted. The Owner must sign an emergency treatment consent form.
LEVEL 02
Emergent Care (Overhead call for Technician)
This category may have cardiopulmonary compromise (gasping, difficulty breathing, weakness, fainting), have low blood sugar, and may be seizing, or have just recovered from a seizure. Most patients with trauma, toxic exposure, gastric dilatation/volvulus (bloat) may also fall into this category. The Owner must sign an emergency consent form.
LEVEL 03
Urgent Care
This category indicates the pet is in obvious mild discomfort and is showing clinical signs that concern the Owner. The patient’s temperature, pulse, respiration and pain scale may or may not be abnormal. However, abnormalities are not life threatening. Examples of this category include but are not limited to small open wounds (cuts, lacerations, and abrasions), inflammation of the skin or ears, lameness, injury to a foot, pad, or mild gastrointestinal problems. It is very important to identify the cause of the problem when obtaining the history, because this will be used to determine the level assignment. Any problems related to trauma may warrant changing the status of a patient to a higher level.
LEVEL 04
Non-urgent Care
This is a non-life threatening problem, however the Owner may be anxious about a slight change in the pet’s behavior, appetite, or signs relating to a chronic problem. There are obvious signs of stress or discomfort, but the pet appears to be mostly normal. Pets in the category may have parasites, skin problems, or allergies.
LEVEL 05
Convenient Care
This visit is at the Owner’s convenience. These pets present with no overt clinical signs. Owner may be concerned with fleas, internal parasites (tapeworms), a small tumor, chronic condition, or mild dermatitis. If the clinic is busy, and the pet’s health will not be harmed, the owner may be referred to follow up with their regular veterinarian, or may have to wait until more critical patients are stabilized.
We would also like to let you know, there are a few things which the Animal ER does not provide. These services and products will need to be obtained from your regular Veterinarian. The Animal ER does not provide preventative health care services or products (ie, vaccinations, spays or neuters, tick control products, food sales, or heartworm prevention).
Patients are seen on a first come first served basis with more serious patients receiving a priority. The Animal ER does not take appointments; however, a phone call prior to the visit is recommended and extremely appreciated.