F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Emergency and Urgent Care appointments are seen in order of urgency. We do not schedule appointments. It is encouraged you call ahead so our team can know what patients are headed our way and an estimated time of arrival.
Where your veterinarian ensures all your pet’s routine needs are met and manages their chronic medical conditions, we are available if your pet has an acute decline or experiences unexpected illness or injury. Throughout your pet’s visit with Bay Area Pet Hospital, our team will communicate with your veterinarian to ensure they are informed and ready to continue with any ongoing care that may be advised.
Each emergency visit starts with an exam by one of our veterinarians. Depending on the symptoms the doctor will make recommendations for appropriate diagnostics and treatments. An estimate will be provided for your approval.
We offer financing through Vetbilling, Scratchpay, and CareCredit. See our Financing tab for more information on these options.
We only see dogs and cats for emergency services. We do offer euthanasia services for exotic animals and small pet birds.
We do a have a list of clinics in the area that treat exotic animals and can help refer to one of these exceptional hospitals.
Wait times vary depending on a patient’s needs. A pet with a life-threatening condition will be seen immediately. Weekdays 9am-5pm generally have the shortest wait to be seen. Evenings and weekends tend to be busier as the other veterinary offices are closed. As the only 24/7 emergency hospital in northern Michigan we help pets from a large part of the state and as well as Canada.
Please contact your local DNR office with injured or diseased wildlife including seagulls and waterfowl and other wild animals.
We can scan stray animals for a microchip. Strays in need of immediate medical care will be seen by a veterinarian. If a found stray pet does not have an immediate medical need, we are unable to house or hold stray pets.
We do not offer routine vaccinations for cats and dogs. We can provide you recommendations for excellent general practice veterinarians in your area.
Emergency Services
Conditions in need of immediate care:
- Not breathing/difficulty breathing
- No pulse/heartbeat
- Loss of consciousness
- Object stuck in throat
- Multiple seizures or an ongoing seizure
- Straining or unable to urinate (especially in male cats)
- Unrelenting pain
- Weakness or collapsing
- Difficulty delivering puppies or kittens (more than 4 hours of active pushing without delivery)
Commonly seen emergencies include the following:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea with or without blood in it
- Abnormal vocalizing (crying)
- Lethargy
- Shaking
- Hiding
- Coughing
- Open mouth breathing in a cat
- Eyes appear injured and/or irritated
- Sudden blindness
- Swollen abdomen
- Blood in the urine
- Urinating in the house
- Lacerations or small bite wounds
At the time of your arrival, an experienced medically trained staff will perform a brief exam, collecting your pets vitals. If there is concern for a critical health concern, such as pale gums, trouble breathing, weakness, fever or low body temperature, or seizures, your pet will be brought to the treatment room for immediate assessment by a veterinarian.
Pets that are not in need of immediate care will be escorted into an exam room. There a more detailed history (what you have noted at home) will be collected and a veterinarian will come into the room to examine your pet and review your concerns.
After the veterinarian exam, recommendations will be made (any testing or medications your pet may need). An estimate for these services will be provided for your approval.
X-rays, bloodwork, and point of care ultrasound testing provides valuable information that helps us know what is wrong with your pet. The results of these tests are typically available within the hour.
The sickest pets or cats or dogs needing surgery may stay the night for hospitalization and continuous care.
Yes, all of our emergency veterinarians are trained and experienced in emergency surgical procedures. While some conditions can have surgery delayed, others require immediate action. We have experienced veterinary doctors and technicians present in the building at all times.
Common emergency surgeries include:
- Stomach and intestinal surgery (most commonly to remove non-food items ingested by a cat or a dog)
- Repair of skin wounds and lacerations including those from or cat bite wounds
- Correction of gastric torsion (also known as GDV or bloat)
- Splenectomy (removal of the spleen due to laceration or cancer)
- Surgery of the female reproductive tract including pyometra and Cesarian section
- Bladder stone removal
What happens when my pet is hospitalized?
Yes. Our patient care team (veterinarian and veterinary technicians) are present in the building at all times with the pets in our care. They perform IV fluid administration, medications, oxygen therapy, and any follow up testing.
We treat our hospitalized patients as we would want our pets at home treated. Pets are given fleece blankets to provide comforts of home. Nervous cats may be provided with an empty box to hide and and provide security. Cats and dogs that are not yet interested in pet food may be offered fresh deli chicken from the local grocer.
Generally speaking, visits are offered for patients that are expected to stay with us for more than one night. We do ask for visits to be coordinated in advance with our team to work around patient treatment times.
Our daytime Patient Care Veterinarian will review overnight progress and call you in the morning with an updated plan for the day. This may include scheduling a go home time for pets that are no longer in need of hospitalization.
