Does My Pet Need Urgent Veterinary Care?
Urgent-care conditions are problems that need prompt medical attention but do not appear immediately life-threatening. Contact us if your pet develops a sudden change in health and cannot comfortably or safely wait for the next available routine appointment.
Vomiting or Diarrhea
Call us if your pet has repeated vomiting or diarrhea, cannot keep food or water down, appears uncomfortable or develops a sudden change in appetite. Very young, elderly or medically fragile pets may become dehydrated more quickly and should be evaluated promptly.
Limping or Minor Injuries
We can evaluate sudden limping, paw injuries, torn nails, minor wounds, possible sprains and other painful injuries. Major trauma, open fractures or an inability to stand should be treated as an emergency.
Suspected Rattlesnake Bites
If your pet may have been bitten by a rattlesnake, call Aliso Beach Animal Clinic immediately during business hours. Rattlesnake bites can worsen quickly, and early veterinary evaluation is important.
Our team evaluates suspected rattlesnake bites and carries rattlesnake antivenom. Call before arriving so we can prepare for your pet and help determine whether they should come directly to our clinic or be taken to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
Do not apply ice, cut the bite, attempt to suction venom, or place a tourniquet. Keep your pet as calm and still as possible during transport.
Learn more about rattlesnake bites, warning signs, treatment, and antivenom in Laguna Beach.
Eye Problems
Squinting, redness, swelling, discharge, cloudiness or sudden eye pain should be evaluated promptly. Eye conditions can worsen quickly, and delaying treatment may put your pet’s vision at risk.
Ear Problems
Contact us for sudden ear pain, head shaking, odor, discharge, swelling or persistent scratching. These symptoms may be associated with infection, allergies, inflammation or a foreign object.
Skin Problems and Allergic Reactions
We evaluate sudden itching, hives, localized swelling, hot spots, rashes, insect stings and other uncomfortable skin problems. Difficulty breathing, collapse or rapidly worsening facial swelling requires emergency care.
Urinary Symptoms
Straining, frequent attempts to urinate, blood in the urine, crying while urinating or sudden accidents require prompt attention. A pet that cannot pass urine—particularly a male cat—may have a life-threatening blockage and should go directly to an emergency hospital.
Coughing or Changes in Breathing
New coughing should be assessed, especially when accompanied by lethargy or reduced appetite. Labored breathing, choking, blue or gray gums or severe respiratory distress is an emergency.
Sudden Pain or Behavioral Changes
Hiding, trembling, crying, restlessness, unusual aggression or reluctance to move can be signs of pain or illness. Call us so our team can help determine how urgently your pet should be evaluated.
Exotic-Pet Concerns
Birds, rabbits, reptiles and small mammals often hide signs of illness. Reduced appetite, fewer stools, weakness, breathing changes, abnormal posture or unusual behavior may require urgent evaluation. Call promptly if your exotic pet is not acting normally.
Urgent Care or 24-Hour Emergency Hospital?
Some illnesses and injuries can be treated with same-day urgent veterinary care, while others require the advanced monitoring, intensive care, or overnight hospitalization available at a 24-hour emergency hospital. If you are unsure where your pet should be seen, call us at (949) 499-4190 and our team can help guide you.
| Same-Day Urgent Care at Aliso Beach Animal Clinic |
Go Directly to a 24-Hour Emergency Hospital |
| Vomiting or diarrhea in an otherwise stable pet |
Severe breathing difficulty or respiratory distress |
| Ear infections, skin infections, or sudden itching |
Major trauma, including being hit by a car |
| Limping, minor wounds, or suspected sprains |
Uncontrolled bleeding or severe blood loss |
| Eye irritation, squinting, or minor eye injuries |
Collapse, prolonged unconsciousness, or severe weakness |
| Possible foxtail exposure |
Repeated or prolonged seizures |
| Suspected rattlesnake bite when your pet is stable enough for transport and our team confirms we can receive them |
Severe rattlesnake envenomation with collapse, breathing difficulty, rapidly progressive swelling, or signs of shock |
| Reduced appetite, lethargy, or sudden behavior changes |
Severe abdominal distension, repeated unproductive retching, or suspected gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) |
| Urinary symptoms when your pet is still able to pass urine |
Inability to urinate, especially in a male cat |
If your pet is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, do not delay care. Go directly to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
For more guidance, visit our Laguna Beach Pet Emergency & Urgent-Care Guide.
Signs Your Pet May Need a 24-Hour Emergency Hospital
Some conditions require continuous monitoring, intensive care, emergency surgery or treatment beyond the capabilities or operating hours of a daytime veterinary clinic.
Go directly to a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital when your pet has:
- Difficulty breathing, choking or blue, gray or very pale gums
- Collapse, unconsciousness or inability to stand
- Uncontrolled or repeated seizures
- Severe bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
- Major trauma, including being struck by a vehicle
- Deep wounds, penetrating injuries or severe animal attacks
- A swollen or painful abdomen with repeated unproductive retching
- Complete inability to urinate
- Suspected heatstroke
- Severe burns or electrical injury
- Complications during labor
- Sudden paralysis or loss of limb function
- Known or suspected toxin exposure
- Any rapidly worsening condition that appears life-threatening
Do not use an online appointment form for a life-threatening emergency. Go directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital or call the emergency facility while you are on the way.
What to Do When Your Pet Needs Urgent Care
1. Call Before You Arrive
Call Aliso Beach Animal Clinic at
(949) 499-4190. Tell us what happened, when the symptoms began and whether your pet is alert, breathing normally and able to stand.
Calling ahead helps us determine whether your pet can be evaluated at our clinic or should go directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
2. Transport Your Pet Safely
Approach an injured or frightened pet carefully. Pain and fear can cause even gentle pets to bite or scratch.
Use a secure carrier for cats and small animals. Keep dogs leashed. A blanket or firm, flat surface may help move a larger pet that cannot walk, but avoid unnecessary movement when a spinal injury or major fracture is possible.
3. Bring Important Information
When possible, bring:
- Your pet’s current medications
- Relevant medical records
- A list of known medical conditions
- Packaging from anything your pet may have eaten
- Photos or videos of intermittent symptoms
- A stool, urine or vomit sample when our team requests one
4. Do Not Give Medication Without Veterinary Direction
Do not give human pain relievers, leftover prescriptions or home remedies unless a veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so. Some medications that are safe for people can be dangerous for pets.
What to Expect During an Urgent-Care Visit
When you arrive, our team will assess your pet’s immediate condition and determine how quickly treatment is needed. Pets with the most serious symptoms are prioritized first, so wait times may vary.
Depending on your pet’s condition, the veterinarian may recommend:
- A complete physical examination
- Bloodwork or other laboratory testing
- Diagnostic imaging when appropriate
- Wound care
- Medication for pain, nausea or inflammation
- Fluid therapy
- Treatment for infection or allergic symptoms
- Monitoring and supportive care
- Referral to a 24-hour emergency or specialty hospital
Our goal is to identify the problem, relieve discomfort and determine the safest next step for your pet. If your pet requires overnight monitoring, intensive care, emergency surgery or specialty treatment, we will recommend transfer to an appropriate emergency facility.
In-House Veterinary Diagnostics
Timely diagnostic information can be especially important when a pet is suddenly ill. Aliso Beach Animal Clinic offers in-house laboratory testing that may help our veterinary team evaluate blood cells, organ function, hydration and other important health indicators without sending every test to an outside laboratory.
The tests recommended will depend on your pet’s symptoms, examination findings, age and medical history.
Learn About Pet Diagnostics
Suspected Poisoning or Toxin Exposure
Contact a veterinarian or pet-poison specialist immediately if your pet may have swallowed medication, chemicals, poisonous plants, rodent bait, chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins or another potentially harmful substance.
Do not wait for symptoms to develop, and do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control specialist specifically instructs you to do so.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control
(888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline
(855) 764-7661
Consultation fees may apply.
After-Hours Emergency Veterinary Care
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic is available for urgent veterinary care during regular clinic hours. When our clinic is closed—or when your pet needs intensive, overnight or life-saving emergency treatment—contact a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
Animal Emergency of South Orange County
28085 Hillcrest Road
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 364-6228
Open 24 hours
Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group–OC
31896 Plaza Drive, Suite C-1
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 201-4100
Open 24 hours
Emergency-hospital availability and wait times can change. Call the hospital before arrival when it is safe to do so.
Why Choose Aliso Beach Animal Clinic for Urgent Care?
Same-Day Availability
We reserve availability for many unexpected illnesses and injuries during regular clinic hours.
Walk-Ins Welcome
Walk-ins are welcome when our schedule and medical caseload allow. Calling before arrival provides the best opportunity for us to prepare for your pet.
Convenient Laguna Beach Location
Our veterinary clinic is located on Coast Highway in South Laguna, directly across from the Montage Laguna Beach.
Care for Dogs, Cats and Exotic Pets
Our team evaluates urgent concerns involving traditional companion animals and many exotic species.
Personalized Veterinary Attention
We explain our findings, discuss treatment options and help you understand whether your pet can safely return home or requires emergency or specialty care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veterinary Urgent Care
Do I need an appointment for urgent veterinary care?
Walk-ins are welcome when availability allows, but calling first is strongly recommended. Our team can ask about your pet’s symptoms, determine whether our clinic is the appropriate destination and prepare for your arrival.
Is Aliso Beach Animal Clinic open 24 hours?
No. We provide urgent veterinary care during regular clinic hours. Pets needing overnight monitoring or life-saving emergency treatment should be taken to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
What is the difference between urgent care and emergency care?
Urgent care is generally appropriate for stable pets with conditions that need prompt attention but do not appear immediately life-threatening. Emergency care is required for severe breathing problems, collapse, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, prolonged seizures and other critical conditions.
Can you treat a pet that is vomiting or has diarrhea?
Yes, we evaluate many pets with vomiting or diarrhea. Call promptly if the symptoms are repeated, your pet cannot keep water down, blood is present or your pet appears weak or painful.
Can you treat eye injuries?
We evaluate many urgent eye concerns, including redness, squinting, discharge and sudden discomfort. Serious trauma, a visibly ruptured eye or an eye displaced from its socket requires immediate emergency treatment.
Do you provide urgent care for exotic pets?
We evaluate many urgent concerns involving rabbits, birds, reptiles and small mammals. Because exotic animals can decline quickly, call as soon as you notice reduced appetite, weakness, breathing changes or abnormal behavior.
What should I do if my pet ate something toxic?
Call a veterinarian or animal poison-control service immediately. Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies unless specifically instructed to do so.
Need Urgent Veterinary Care Today?
If your pet has developed a sudden illness, injury, or concerning change in behavior, call Aliso Beach Animal Clinic before arriving. Our team can help determine whether your pet can be evaluated through our same-day urgent-care service or should go directly to a 24-hour emergency hospital.
CALL (949) 499-4190
GET DIRECTIONS
Same-Day Urgent Care Hours
Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic
30816 Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Directly across from the Montage Laguna Beach
Do not use an online appointment form for urgent or emergency concerns. Call us during clinic hours.
