Sick Pet Visit & Urgent Care in Philadelphia, PA
When your pet isn’t feeling well, prompt care makes all the difference. We offer same-day sick visits for dogs and cats throughout South Philadelphia—so you don’t have to wait when it matters most.
Urgent Pet Care in South Philadelphia
Sudden illness can be stressful for both pets and their owners. Our team is here to provide prompt, compassionate care for a wide range of urgent conditions—from respiratory and ear infections to minor wounds, gastrointestinal distress, and more.
For severe trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing, or other emergencies that occur outside of our regular hours, we will help connect you with an emergency veterinary clinic in the Philadelphia area for immediate treatment. Your pet’s safety always comes first.
Below is a guide to symptoms that may require urgent or emergency veterinary attention.
- Vomiting and Diarrhea: Isolated incidents of vomiting or diarrhea are not always cause for alarm. However, if either has occurred multiple times in succession—especially if accompanied by blood—contact us promptly to schedule an appointment. Early evaluation can prevent a manageable problem from becoming a serious one.
- Open Bleeding, Sprains, Strains, Broken Bones, Dislocations, and Concussions: Acute injuries require prompt attention. If your pet has experienced any of these, contact us right away. Any information you can share about how the injury occurred will help our team assess and treat your pet more effectively.
- Difficulty Breathing or Not Breathing: Do not wait. If your pet is struggling to breathe, breathing rapidly and shallowly, or has stopped breathing, take them to the nearest animal hospital immediately. When you arrive, alert the staff right away that your pet is having respiratory distress. Time is critical in these situations.
If your pet is not breathing and you are trained in pet CPR, you may choose to begin compressions while seeking emergency care.
- Ingestion of Poison or Toxic Substances: If your pet has ingested any household cleaners, chocolate, poisonous plants, chemicals, or other toxic substances, take them to an emergency hospital immediately—do not wait to see whether symptoms develop. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-426-4435 and can provide immediate guidance while you seek care.
- First or Severe Seizure: A single seizure, while frightening, is not always a medical emergency on its own. If your pet has had their first seizure, contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss the underlying cause. However, if a seizure lasts longer than a few minutes—or if your pet experiences multiple seizures within a short period—bring them in immediately or take them to a nearby emergency clinic after hours.
- Bites and Allergic Reactions: If your pet has been bitten by a snake or insect, watch closely for signs of anaphylactic shock: swelling at the bite site, skin rash, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or collapse. If you notice even one of these symptoms, seek emergency care right away. Do not take a wait-and-see approach with suspected anaphylaxis.
- Ingestion of Foreign Objects: If your pet swallows any piece of cloth, rope, plastic, a toy, or another foreign object—regardless of size—treat it as an emergency. Even a small object may not pass safely through your pet’s digestive tract. Only an X-ray can confirm whether the object poses a risk. Call us immediately so we can advise you on next steps.
Common Urgent Care Conditions
By Dr. Corinne Majeska
Heatstroke is one of the most common urgent care situations we see during warmer months. It occurs when a pet becomes dangerously overheated, causing symptoms including excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, uncoordinated movement, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cool environment and contact us immediately.
Other conditions that warrant a same-day sick visit include minor cuts and soft tissue injuries, severe respiratory or eye infections, significant diarrhea or constipation, urination problems, and unusual or sudden behavioral changes such as seizures or disorientation.
If your pet is experiencing any of these issues, contact us right away. We will evaluate your pet as quickly as possible—performing a thorough physical exam and lab testing to determine what’s happening. Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasound, may also be used to assess internal health. We will discuss all findings and treatment options with you before proceeding.
Make Companion Pet Hospital Your Veterinarian in Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Majeska and our team at Companion Pet Hospital are dedicated to providing attentive, compassionate care to pets and families throughout Pennsport, Passyunk Square, South Philadelphia, and the surrounding communities.
We offer a full range of veterinary services—including wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, microchipping, diagnostics, surgery, and grooming—to keep your pet healthy at every stage of life. Schedule a sick visit today and let us help get your pet back to feeling their best.