Emergency Service & Critical Care

If you feel your pet is having a medical Emergency
Call: (916) 428-9202.

Mueller Pet Medical Center has experienced emergency veterinarians and staff on duty 24 hours a day to help you through those critical situations. And, with the newest in critical care equipment, we can offer the highest quality medicine and surgery in the greater Sacramento area.

If you are unable to reach your regular veterinarian, we are available 24 hours a day for your emergency or critical care needs at (916) 428-9202. Time is especially important during an emergency. We work in conjunction with your veterinarian and we strive to have your pet back under his/her care, during regular hours, as soon as your pet is stable.

The following information can help you if an emergency should arise. By keeping calm, acting quickly and knowing what to do in particular situations, you can mean the difference between life and death. Always consult a veterinarian as soon as possible in any pet health crisis.

Please note that if your pet is exhibiting any signs or symptom that you as the pet owner discerns as atypical or concerning please transport him/her to our facility immediately. Any of the following should also be deemed as alarming and we do recommend you bring your pet in.

1. Difficulty Breathing
2. Bone Protruding from skin
3. Hit by car or other major trauma (falls, attacks, etc.)
4. Actively having a seizure
5. Puppies/Kittens not born within 2-3 hours of active labor (pushing) starting
6. Swelling of the face or elsewhere
7. Non-productive attempts to vomit (especially large dogs!)
8. Ingestion of toxin or envenomation by snake, spider etc.
9. Difficulty walking including stumbling, circling or limping
10. Any active bleeding
11. Prolonged vomiting and/or diarrhea (especially young pets!)

Only if possible, be prepared with the following information when you call us about an emergency:

1. What happened? – or – What signs have you noticed?
2. How is the pet breathing?
3. Is your pet alert?
4. Is there any bleeding? If so, from where?
5. Is your pet able to walk?
6. Is there any abdominal distension?
7. Is your pet urinating? Is there any straining or blood?
8. Is your pet on any medications?

Again, if you note any of the above signs or feel your pet needs immediate medical attention Call us now for 24 hour emergency pet care in the greater Sacramento area (916) 428-9202.

Pet First Aid & Transport Care for Emergencies

Remember that a frightened or pained animal could bite or scratch. Be prepared with a cloth or belt to muzzle a dog (be sure that he can breathe easily) or with a large, thick blanket or towel to restrain a small animal. Have a family member or neighbor assist in the transport. Stay calm since pets can sense and react to our stress.

Trauma: Make sure the pet is breathing. Reduce any bleeding with direct pressure. Secure the pet in a blanket or towel, if possible, to reduce movement. Transport to hospital immediately.

Choking: Be very careful when attempting to clear airway. Pets will often bite when panicked. The Heimlich Maneuver may work if an item is lodged in windpipe. (Note: coughing and gagging are often confused with choking--a pet which is truly choking will move little or no air at all, and the gum color will be gray or bluish. A pet who experiences periodic episodes of "choking" may be gagging.) Transport to hospital immediately.

Toxin Ingestion: Call us at (916) 428-9202 immediately after you realize your pet has ingested something it shouldn’t have. DO NOT induce vomiting unless instructed to do so. Some toxins are fatal over time, so immediate treatment is crucial even if your pet does not appear sick. Bring the label of the ingested substance with you if possible. Household items like plants, antifreeze, rat bait, chocolate, raisins and more can be potentially fatal if not treated immediately.

Respiratory Distress: If pet is gasping, breathing heavily or fast remove collars/leads and use minimal restraint during transport. Transport to hospital immediately.

Seizure: Make sure that the pet cannot hurt himself. DO NOT attempt to place anything in his mouth. Bundle the pet in a blanket, and get help to transport the pet in case further seizures occur. Transport to hospital immediately.

Diabetic Insulin Crisis: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can be characterized by weakness, disorientation or seizures. Place Karo Syrup® on the gums and transport to hospital immediately.

Nonproductive Vomiting or Retching: This is the most common sign of a life-threatening condition called "gastric dilitation and volvulus," or "torsion,” especially in large breed dogs. There is no home aid. Transport to hospital immediately.

Bleeding: For bleeding wounds, apply direct pressure with a thick cloth. If blood soaks through, apply additional cloths (do not remove the original dressing). If the pet is bleeding from the rectum, mouth or other orifice, no home aid is recommended. In all cases, transport to hospital immediately.

Dystocia (Trouble having puppies or kittens): Pregnant pets in labor for more than 2 hours, or actively straining to produce a puppy or kitten for more that 20 minutes with no results, may be experiencing dystocia. Call your veterinarian and prepare to transport. Bring the mother and all puppies/kittens with you to the veterinarian. If possible, keep the family together in a box. If the mother is too large or restless to transport with her young, use a heat source (such as hot water-filled milk jugs) to keep the puppies or kittens warm.