You know your pet better than anyone else. If you notice your pet behaving in a way that's unusual, or if something just doesn't seem right, you may have picked up on a subtle sign of a real problem.

The team at Grand Rapids Veterinary Clinic is here to help triage your pet’s condition. Call our office during business hours to discuss your concerns and the signs you are seeing with your pet. After speaking with one of our qualified team members, we can point you in the direction for the best care, whether we are able to schedule an urgent care appointment with us or feel the condition should be referred to an emergency or specialty facility.

Business Hours:   Monday thru Friday:  8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For Critical Care: 
If your pet is experiencing a critical injury or sickness after hours, please contact one of the emergency facilities below.

Blue Pearl Emergency Pet Hospital in Duluth - 218-302-8000

or

Red River Animal Emergency Hospital in Fargo - 701-478-9299

The teams at these facilities are available to triage emergency situations and offer the best treatment recommendations.

When Is It an Emergency?

•     Your pet has experienced some kind of trauma, such as being hit by a car or a blunt object or falling more than a few feet.
•     Your pet isn't breathing or you can't feel a heartbeat.
•     Your pet is unconscious and won't wake up.
•     Your pet has been vomiting or has had diarrhea for more than 24 hours, or is vomiting blood.
•     You suspect any broken bones.
•     Your pet is having trouble breathing.
•     Your pet has had or is having a seizure.
•     Your pet is bleeding from the eyes, nose or mouth, or there is blood in the urine or feces.
•     You think your pet might have ingested something toxic, such as antifreeze, rat poison, household cleansers, or any kind of medication that wasn't prescribed.
•     Your pet, particularly your male cat, is straining to urinate, or is unable to.
•     Your pet shows signs of extreme pain, such as whining, shaking, and refusing to socialize.
•     Your pet collapses or suddenly can't stand up.
•     Your pet begins bumping into things or suddenly becomes disoriented.
•     You can see irritation or injury to your pet's eyes, or it suddenly seems to become blind.
•     Your pet's abdomen is swollen and hard to the touch, and/or it is gagging and trying to vomit.
•     You see symptoms of heatstroke or hypothermia.
•     Your pregnant dog or cat has gone more than three to four hours between delivering puppies or kittens.

You're never wrong to call if you are concerned about your pet and you should never feel embarrassed about calling a veterinarian. Veterinarians are used to emergencies and we prepare for them. AAHA-accredited hospitals like Grand Rapids Veterinary Clinic, are required to provide access to critical care, either in their own facility or through referral to another hospital.

You may also want to have a list of pet first aid tips easily accessible, along with guidelines for human first aid (see pet first aid kit).