Quick answer: The problems we see most at VSP Louisville are vomiting, diarrhea, wounds, ear infections, breathing trouble, coughing, low energy, poor appetite and urinary problems. A pet who is struggling to breathe, can’t stand, has pale or blue gums, is bleeding heavily or is straining without making urine should come in now. If you are not sure, call us at (502) 901-7990 and we will help you decide.
When your pet suddenly seems unwell, the hardest part is knowing how fast to act. Our emergency and urgent care team answers that question every day, so we gathered the cases we see most often at our hospital on Main St, along with the signs that tell you how quickly to come in.
What is considered a pet emergency?
A pet emergency is any problem that could become life threatening or cause lasting harm if it waits. Trouble breathing, collapse, heavy bleeding, a swollen or painful belly, a suspected poisoning, a seizure and a pet who can’t urinate all belong here. Our guide on when to go to the emergency vet covers the warning signs in more detail.
We use two simple levels below:
- Come in now: head straight to us and call on the way if you can.
- Urgent care today: your pet should be seen today, and our urgent care team can usually see them the same day.
The most common pet emergencies we see in Louisville
Vomiting
Many pets vomit once and bounce back, but some causes are serious.
Come in now for repeated vomiting, blood in the vomit, a swollen or painful belly, a dog retching with nothing coming up, or a pet who may have eaten a toxin or a toy. If it was chocolate, see my dog ate chocolate.
Urgent care today for one or two episodes in a pet who is otherwise bright and acting normally. Learn more in is vomiting an emergency for dogs.
Diarrhea
Come in now for bloody or black, tarry stool, diarrhea with vomiting or weakness, or diarrhea in a very young puppy or kitten.
Urgent care today for diarrhea lasting more than a day in a pet who is still eating and acting normally.
Wounds and bites
Come in now if bleeding won’t stop after five minutes of firm pressure, for any bite wound on the chest or belly, for deep cuts, or after being hit by a car. Bite wounds often hide much more damage under the skin than you can see.
Urgent care today for small scrapes that have stopped bleeding.
Ear infections
Come in now for a sudden head tilt, loss of balance or eyes darting side to side.
Urgent care today for head shaking, scratching, odor or discharge.
Breathing trouble
Breathing trouble always needs fast attention. Pets hide distress well, so by the time breathing looks hard, they need help quickly.
Come in now for open mouth breathing in a cat, blue or gray gums, a resting or sleeping breathing rate over 60 breaths a minute, or a pet who won’t lie down.
Call us or come in if the resting rate is 40 to 60 breaths a minute. Our guide to pet breathing trouble shows how to count breaths at home.
Coughing
Come in now if a cough comes with labored breathing, fainting or blue gums, or if a pet with known heart disease starts a new cough.
Urgent care today for a mild cough in a pet who is otherwise breathing comfortably and eating.
Low energy
Come in now if your pet can’t stand, collapses, has pale gums or is hard to wake.
Urgent care today for a pet who has been quiet for a day but is still getting up and eating some.
Poor appetite
Come in now if poor appetite comes with vomiting, belly pain or weakness, or if your cat has not eaten in two days.
Urgent care today for a skipped meal in a pet who otherwise seems fine.
Urinary problems
Come in now if your pet is straining with little or no urine, especially a male cat. A blocked male cat can become critically ill within hours, and owners often mistake the straining for constipation.
Urgent care today for peeing or drinking more in a pet who otherwise feels well.
Seizures are another common reason families rush in. Our post on dog seizures explains what to do. For a side by side look at both levels of care, see emergency or urgent care.
What happens when you arrive
Walk ins are welcome and no appointment is needed. If your pet is in trouble, call (502) 901-7990 on the way so our team is ready when you pull in.
Every pet is triaged first. A member of our team quickly checks breathing, heart rate, gum color and alertness. Pets are seen in order of need, so the sickest are always seen first. A pet who is struggling is stabilized right away with oxygen, fluids or pain relief as needed. Once your pet is stable, the doctor explains what they found and walks you through an estimate. Bloodwork, X rays and ultrasound are available on site, and our team works alongside board certified specialists when a case calls for it. We also send a summary to your family veterinarian.
Serving Louisville and nearby communities
VSP Louisville is at 11600 Main St and is open every day until 10 PM for emergency and urgent care. Families come to us from across the Louisville metro and Southern Indiana. If you have a longer drive, call before you leave and we will help you decide how urgent the problem is. If your pet needs help after 10 PM, our after hours page explains your options.
Frequently asked questions
What is considered a pet emergency?
Any problem that could become life threatening if it waits, such as trouble breathing, collapse, heavy bleeding, a swollen belly, a suspected poisoning, a seizure or straining without making urine. If you are unsure, call us at (502) 901-7990.
Do I need an appointment or referral?
No. Walk ins are welcome, no appointment is needed and no referral is required. More answers are on our FAQ page.
Will my pet be seen in the order we arrive?
Not always. Every pet is triaged on arrival and the sickest pets are seen first. If your pet is stable, our team will keep you updated while you wait.
What if my pet has an emergency after 10 PM?
Our after hours page lists your options for overnight help, and your pet is welcome back with us when we open.
Worried about your pet right now? Call VSP Louisville at (502) 901-7990 or come to 11600 Main St. Our emergency and urgent care team in Louisville is here every day until 10 PM.
