Animal Emergency & Specialty Center - Poulsbo (AESC)
No pet parent ever wants to see their beloved pet injured or suffering from an unexpected illness. Fortunately, when an unexpected emergency arises, the skilled and compassionate team at Animal Emergency & Specialty Center is available 24/7 to help.
Our expert team is prepared to provide intensive care for animals critically ill or injured. Your pet will be triaged upon arrival at AESC. Your pet will be examined and treated based on that triage exam. The most seriously injured or ill are always seen first.
Uncertain if your case is an emergency? It is often difficult to determine if your own pet is in crisis and needs to be seen immediately. AESC can help answer your questions. Call us at (360) 697-7771 and talk to a well-trained and experienced team member.
Typical emergencies we see on a regular basis include: Persistent vomiting or diarrhea, persistent cough, persistent sneezing, pale gums, rapid or shallow breathing, excessive thirst, excessive urination, straining to urinate or defecate, abnormal nasal discharge, labored breathing, sudden or severe lameness, convulsions or seizures, prolonged labor or dystocia, suspected poisoning, bleeding, injury or fight wound, abdominal bloating, hit by car or blunt trauma and severe facial swelling or hives.
Symptoms that require immediate investigation and treatment. If your pet:
Has experienced some kind of trauma, such as being hit by a car or blunt object, bite wounds, or falling more than a few feet.
Is not breathing or you cannot feel a heartbeat.
Is unconscious and cannot wake up.
Has been vomiting or has diarrhea for more than 24 hours or there is blood in the vomitus or feces.
Has or may have a broken bone.
Is having trouble breathing or has something stuck in the throat.
Has had or is having a seizure.
Is bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, or there is blood in the urine or feces.
May have ingested something toxic such as antifreeze, rat poison, any kind of medication, household cleaners, toxic plants, chocolate, insecticide, pesticide, or some other toxic agent.
Is straining to urinate or is unable to produce urine especially concerning in male cats.
Shows signs of extreme pain such as vocalizing, shaking, unable to lie down and get comfortable, refusing to socialize, head pressing or any other unusual behavior that concerns you.
Collapses or suddenly is unable to get up.
Begins bumping into things or suddenly becomes disoriented.
Has irritation or injury to the eyes or is suddenly blind.
Has a bloated abdomen and there is non-productive vomiting, especially a large dog.
Is showing signs of heatstroke or hypothermia
A pregnant dog or cat has gone more than three to four hours between deliveries and is still straining or you see a puppy stuck and protruding from the vulva.
What To Expect If Your Pet Is Stable:
Upon arrival at AESC, you will be greeted by one of our helpful customer care specialists. After completing some brief paperwork, your pet will be triaged by our medical team to determine the severity of their condition.
When our doctor is ready to examine your pet, you will be escorted to an examination room where our medical team will obtain a full history. The doctor on duty will perform a thorough physical examination of your pet and will ask for more detail if needed.
Upon completion of the exam, the doctor will discuss the medical findings and will answer any questions you may have. The doctor may recommend initial diagnostics and will discuss a recommended course of treatment. An itemized treatment plan is provided before treatment is started. After all questions have been answered and you agree to the medical plan, paperwork will be finalized, and a deposit will be collected.
What To Expect If Your Pet Is Not Stable:
If your pet is not stable, we immediately take action. We may need to start medical treatment immediately and will discuss our critical care process. As soon as the doctor can leave your pet’s side, you will be able to ask the doctor questions and will be given all the information currently available on your pet’s status. Sometimes the doctor is not able to leave a patient’s side in a timely fashion due to the seriousness of the problem. If that happens, a veterinary technician will talk with you and give you whatever update is available. As soon as possible, the doctor will talk to you, answer any questions you may have, explain what medical problems your pet is experiencing, and recommend a course of treatment.
PLEASE REMEMBER: The most severely compromised patients are seen first. Waiting times may vary and are dependent on the hospital’s caseload.
PATIENT ARRIVAL POLICY: For your protection, and that of others, all dogs must be on a leash and properly restrained while in the waiting area and exam rooms. All cats must be presented in an appropriate cat carrier, leash or other effective means of confinement. If nothing else is available, a pillowcase supported from the bottom can be a very good way to transport a cat. We can lend you a leash or a pet carrier while you are waiting.
IF YOU THINK YOUR PET IS CONTAGIOUS: Please leave your pet in the car if you think there is any chance of a transmittable illness such as kennel cough, upper respiratory disease or parvovirus. Please check in at the front desk to complete the admission process. We have special handling procedures to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
PLEASE ASK FOR HELP: We are trained to assist in moving injured animals. Ask for help if your pet has difficulty walking. We sometimes use a muzzle to protect our staff if the injured pet is in pain or scared. Let us know if your pet has bitten anyone or has a history of fractious behavior. Even the nicest pet can be unpredictable when injured, in pain, or scared.
