Pet Urgent Care and Emergency Support in Sunrise, FL

A sudden illness or injury can leave you wondering whether your pet can wait for a routine appointment or needs immediate veterinary attention. Welleby Veterinary Hospital provides urgent pet care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and other small mammals during our regular hospital hours.

Urgent care is appropriate for medical concerns that need prompt evaluation but do not appear immediately life-threatening. Our urgent vet in Sunrise, FL can also evaluate certain emergency situations during business hours and help determine whether your pet needs care at a dedicated emergency hospital.

We're ready to handle urgent situations with a same-day appointment. If your pet needs immediate attention, call (954) 748-2002 so we can prepare for your arrival and assist you swiftly.

Call (954) 748-2002

Identifying the Need for Pet Urgent Care

Your pet may need urgent care when a health concern should be addressed the same day but they remain alert, responsive, and generally stable. Prompt evaluation can relieve discomfort, identify the cause of the problem, and reduce the chance that the condition will worsen.

Conditions that may benefit from urgent pet care include:

Allergic reactions like hives or facial swelling
Ear infections
Symptoms of congestion (coughing, runny nose)
Eye issues (redness, swelling, discharge)

Skin irritations and rashes
Presence of fleas, ticks, or worms
Changes in bathroom habits (diarrhea, vomiting)
Trouble urinating or blood in urine

Limping or difficulty moving
Minor wounds (small cuts, scrapes, etc.)
Loss of appetite
Unusual changes in behavior

Recognizing a Pet Emergency

A veterinary emergency involves a severe or rapidly progressing condition that could threaten your pet’s life or cause permanent harm. Do not wait for a routine appointment when your pet shows signs of a medical emergency.

Seek immediate veterinary care for:

Severe pain

(crying out, reluctance to move, or a hunched stance)
Suspected broken bones
Uncontrolled bleeding
Injuries from bites, burns, cuts, or punctures
Blunt force trauma

(hit by a car or a fall)
Symptoms of heatstroke

(excessive panting, difficulty breathing)
Open-mouth breathing in cats
Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum

Coughing blood
Inability to urinate or defecate
Consuming toxic substances or medication overdose
Sudden collapse or unconsciousness
Extreme lethargy or disorientation
Seizures
Swollen, hard abdomen
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours

Welleby Veterinary Hospital provides urgent care and emergency support during regular business hours. Call (954) 748-2002 before coming in so we can assess your pet’s condition and prepare for your arrival.

For a life-threatening situation after hours, contact one of the emergency hospitals listed below immediately.

What Happens During an Urgent Care Visit?

When you arrive, our team will gather information about your pet’s symptoms, health history, medications, and any recent injuries or possible exposures. Our urgent veterinarian will then perform an examination and assess how quickly treatment needs to begin.

Depending on your pet’s condition, we may recommend:

Bloodwork or other laboratory testing
Digital X-rays or additional imaging
Urine or fecal testing
Wound care
Fluids or injectable medications
Pain relief
Prescription medication
Additional monitoring or treatment

We will explain what we find, discuss the recommended next steps, and review an estimate before proceeding whenever possible. If your pet requires overnight monitoring, intensive treatment, or services beyond what we can provide, we will help direct you to an appropriate emergency or specialty hospital.

What Should I Expect After My Pet’s Visit?

Your pet’s recovery will depend on the condition being treated. Before you leave, our team will explain any medications, feeding instructions, activity restrictions, home monitoring, or follow-up care your pet may need.

Contact us if your pet’s symptoms worsen, new symptoms develop, or you have difficulty giving a prescribed medication. Seek emergency care immediately if your pet develops trouble breathing, collapses, experiences a seizure, begins bleeding heavily, or shows another severe change.

Here When Your Pet Needs Same-Day Care

When your pet is sick or injured, it helps to have a veterinary team that can assess the situation, explain what is happening, and guide you toward the right level of care. Welleby Veterinary Hospital provides urgent care for dogs and cats, along with birds, reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and other small mammals.

Our experience with a wide range of species means more pet owners can turn to a familiar local animal hospital when something unexpected happens. We will evaluate your pet, discuss the recommended next steps, and let you know if treatment at an emergency or specialty hospital is needed.

If your pet needs prompt attention, call (954) 748-2002 so our team can help determine the next step and prepare for your arrival.

Call (954) 748-2002

Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Pet Care

How Much Does Pet Urgent Care Cost?

At Welleby Veterinary Hospital, our urgent care and emergency exam fee is $84. The total cost of your visit will depend on your pet's condition and whether additional services, such as diagnostic testing, X-rays, medications, or treatment, are needed. After examining your pet, our veterinary team will explain their findings, discuss your treatment options, and provide an estimate before moving forward whenever possible, so you can make an informed decision about your pet's care.

Should I Take My Pet to Urgent Care Instead of Waiting for a Regular Appointment?

Urgent care is a good option when your pet has a health concern that should be seen the same day but is not immediately life-threatening. Vomiting or diarrhea that continues, limping, ear infections, allergic reactions, minor wounds, eye irritation, coughing, urinary problems, or sudden changes in behavior are all examples of conditions that may benefit from prompt veterinary attention. If your pet is experiencing any of these issues, bring them to Welleby Veterinary Hospital, where our team can provide the same-day care they need.

What Is Considered a Pet Emergency vs. Urgent Care?

Urgent care is designed for illnesses and injuries that need prompt treatment but are not life-threatening. Emergency care is necessary when a pet has severe trauma, difficulty breathing, repeated seizures, collapse, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected poisoning, or another condition that could quickly become critical. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Welleby Veterinary Hospital provides both urgent care and emergency veterinary care during our regular business hours. If you're unsure what your pet needs, call us at (954) 748-2002, and our team will help guide you.

Does Welleby Veterinary Hospital Offer Pet Urgent Care?

Yes. Welleby Veterinary Hospital provides pet urgent care for dogs and cats experiencing non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries that need prompt attention. Our team works to accommodate urgent cases during hospital hours so your pet can receive timely evaluation and treatment. We encourage you to call ahead at (954) 748-2002 so our team can prepare for your arrival and help minimize your wait time.

Can Exotic Pets Receive Urgent Care?