emergency services

Every pet that sees a veterinarian at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic will receive a comprehensive physical exam. The physical exam is the first step and will, often, provide clues about what is wrong with your pet. A typical comprehensive physical exam includes:

• Weight and temperature
• Listen to the heart for arrhythmia or murmur
• Listen to the lungs for congestion, fluid buildup or wheezing
• Palpation (feeling) of the abdomen for pain, tumors, abnormal organ size/shape
• Assessment of mental state – is the pet alert or confused/disoriented
• Assessment of vision
• Watching pet walk – is there any limping, paralysis or unsteady gait
• Palpation (feeling) of lymph nodes for pain or swelling
• Assessment of skin from nose to tail

Once the physical exam is complete, the veterinarian will discuss any abnormal findings with you. He or she will then recommend additional testing and a treatment plan.

All surgeries are performed in a dedicated, sterile surgery room. Our veterinarians always wear sterile masks, gowns and gloves and use sterile instruments while performing surgery on your pet. These steps help limit your pet’s exposure to harmful bacteria that may cause infection.

All patients undergoing surgery at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida receive state of the art anesthesia and nursing care. A dedicated, surgical nurse monitors your pet’s vital signs before, during and after anesthesia to help make the surgery as safe as possible for your pet. These vital signs include heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, temperature, amount of oxygen in the blood (SPO2) and amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air.

If your pet does need emergency surgery, we will discuss the procedure, potential complications, post op care and expected recovery time with you. We will keep you informed every step of the way.

The Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida utilizes a modern, digital system for taking x-rays of your pet. The digital system means x-rays are available for viewing by the veterinarian immediately. Our digital system also includes cloud storage. This means that you and your regular, family vet will be able to view your pet’s x-rays online. Our experienced veterinarians will discuss any abnormal findings with you and recommend next steps. In some cases, our veterinarian may recommend radiologist review of your pet’s x-rays. Radiologist review of x-rays will occur within the hour so treatment of your pet is not delayed.

Our veterinarians are also trained in FAST ultrasound. FAST ultrasound is a technique used in the emergency room to look for fluid or bleeding in the abdomen. FAST ultrasound allows our veterinarians to discover potentially life threatening abdominal bleeding quickly. If a full, detailed ultrasound of your pet’s abdomen or chest is recommended, we may recommend calling in a specialist to perform this detailed exam.

In an emergency, diagnostic test results are needed immediately so appropriate treatment can begin. Therefore, all four of the Orlando area locations of the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida have in house diagnostic testing to provide prompt results. Our in-house diagnostic laboratory testing capabilities include:

• Blood work including complete blood count (CBC) and organ function tests (chemistry)
• Urinalysis
• Fecal analysis for intestinal parasites
• Heartworm testing
• Feline leukemia testing
• Parvo testing
• Blood pressure
• EKG

In an emergency, prompt treatment is needed. Therefore, all four Orlando area locations of the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida have fully stocked pharmacies. If your pet is too ill to take oral medications, we have completely stocked pharmacy of injectable medications. We also carry a wide variety of oral medications to help your furry friend feel better quickly. If we do not stock a particular medication or if you request, we will provide a written prescription to obtain the medication from a pharmacy. Medications we carry include:

• Pain medications and NSAIDS
• Antibiotics
• Heart medications
• Anti-seizure medications
• Anti-venom
• Liver protectants
• Anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medications
• IV fluids
• And many more

All four Orlando area locations of the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida are equipped with oxygen tanks and chambers to help your pet. If your pet is having difficulty breathing, he or she will be immediately taken into the treatment area for assessment by the veterinarian and oxygen administration. If your pet requires supplemental oxygen throughout the night, they may stay in one of our oxygen chambers or have a nasal oxygen line placed. If your pet is still dependent on supplemental oxygen at closing, they will be discharged in a portable oxygen chamber for transport to your regular vet.

The treatment of certain illnesses and toxicities may require a blood transfusion for your dog or cat. All four Orlando area locations of the Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida have the capability of administering blood products to your dog or cat. Depending on the illness, the veterinarian may recommend a transfusion with packed red blood cells, whole blood or plasma. In each case, your pet will have his or her blood type determined before blood or plasma is given to help prevent a transfusion reaction. If your dog or cat requires blood products, our knowledgeable and experienced staff will discuss your pet’s illness, treatment plan, prognosis and response to treatment every step of the way.

Florida law does not require an emergency clinic to have a veterinarian on premises during operating hours. The Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida takes pride in the fact that from the moment we open our doors to the moment we close them one of our highly skilled veterinarians will be available for you and your pet.

 When you arrive at the VEC, our main focus is the well-being of your pet. Knowledgeable receptionists and skilled veterinary nurses are the first of our highly trained, professional staff to greet you. A veterinarian, with extensive experience in emergency and critical care medicine, is always on staff during operating hours.

 Our receptionists and veterinary nurses perform the task of patient triage prior to patients meeting with the veterinarian. Triage is a process of prioritizing patients based on the severity of their medical condition. Triage is important to ensure the most critical patients are quickly identified and attended to. As such, patients are not always seen in order of arrival and we are unable to take appointments.

 Some medical conditions may require immediate action by our veterinary staff. These may include excessive bleeding, active seizures, labored breathing, severe trauma and shock.

 If staff determines your pet's condition is critical, your pet will be transported immediately from the waiting or exam room into the Treatment Area of the hospital for rapid assessment and medical attention. Owners may not accompany patients into the Treatment Area during medical procedures due to insurance liability reasons. Staff will, however, keep you well informed of your pet's status during this period. Once your pet is stabilized, we will make every effort to make visitation possible.

If your pet is in stable condition, you will both be placed into the first available exam room and given Client Information paperwork to complete. A veterinary nurse will ask you questions about your pet's medical history, the current problems the pet is experiencing and obtain a body weight and temperature. Afterwards, the veterinarian will conduct a full physical examination of your pet and discuss recommended diagnostic testing and/or treatments based on the exam.

Comprehensive physical exams are $95 day or night.

Prior to performing any testing, medical procedures or treatments, our staff will provide an estimate of the anticipated costs associated with your pet's care for your approval. Depending on the nature and severity of the illness afflicting your pet, the veterinarian may recommend outpatient treatment for minor emergencies or, for critical cases, advise that your pet remain hospitalized in our facility. Deposits of one-half the approved estimate total are required for all hospitalized pets.

The VEC accepts all major credit cards, Care Credit, debit cards and cash for payment of services. We are unable to accept checks. Payment in full for your pet's medical care is due at the time of discharge from the hospital. We do not offer payment plans or billing arrangements.