My pet is sick, do I need to go to a vet?
Many times it is tough as a pet owner to know when your animal needs to go to see a doctor and when it is okay for them to stay home. We understand this so we encourage everyone to call us at 410-420-7297 if you have any questions about your pet's health.
How do I check-in my pet into the waiting line?
Text "PAWS" to 34947 & follow the text message prompts to check-in your pet from the comfort of your home. Learn More about the check-in process>
What type of animals do you treat?
We all will see dogs & cats , and some of our doctors will see (please call and pre-approve): birds & small exotic mammal species
How much is the emergency exam fee?
The exam fee is $150 dollars. Additional costs are determined according to what is happening with your pet's condition & these costs will be provided to you in a written estimate. Payment is due at the time services are rendered.
What type of payments do you accept?
Cash, VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Trupanion Pet Insurance DirectPay, Care Credit, and Scratch Pay
We do not accept: Checks
Learn more about our payment options & plans >
Do you provide any primary care veterinary services (vaccines/ wellness appointments?
No, we do not. But if you would like help finding a primary care veterinarian check out our Maryland Veterinarians Tab >
I found a stray or injured wildlife. What do I do?
Visit our stray/ wildlife page to learn more >
Many times it is tough as a pet owner to know when your animal needs to go to see a doctor and when it is okay for them to stay home. We understand this so we encourage everyone to call us at 410-420-7297 if you have any questions about your pet's health.
How do I check-in my pet into the waiting line?
Text "PAWS" to 34947 & follow the text message prompts to check-in your pet from the comfort of your home. Learn More about the check-in process>
What type of animals do you treat?
We all will see dogs & cats , and some of our doctors will see (please call and pre-approve): birds & small exotic mammal species
How much is the emergency exam fee?
The exam fee is $150 dollars. Additional costs are determined according to what is happening with your pet's condition & these costs will be provided to you in a written estimate. Payment is due at the time services are rendered.
What type of payments do you accept?
Cash, VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Trupanion Pet Insurance DirectPay, Care Credit, and Scratch Pay
We do not accept: Checks
Learn more about our payment options & plans >
Do you provide any primary care veterinary services (vaccines/ wellness appointments?
No, we do not. But if you would like help finding a primary care veterinarian check out our Maryland Veterinarians Tab >
I found a stray or injured wildlife. What do I do?
Visit our stray/ wildlife page to learn more >
The following is a short list of common emergencies that must be seen as soon as possible:
- Breathing problems
- Excessive bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
- Hit by car
- Pale/white colored gums
- Eye injuries
- Bleeding birds
- Prolonged vomiting
- Neurological abnormalities (seizures, paralysis, circling, etc.)
- Male cats straining to urinate or not producing urine
- Non-productive retching and/or distended abdomens, especially in large breed dogs
- Heat stroke
- Vomiting blood
- Toxin ingestion (see our Toxins to your Pet tab)
- Dystocia (see our Pregnancy & Puppy/Kitten care tab)
What to expect upon arriving to Animal Emergency Hospital
Anytime you have to take your pet to the ER it can be scary, especially if you don't know what to expect. Read below to learn more about what to expect from triaging to being admitted to our Intensive Care Unit.
My pet is checked into the ER, now what?
When you first arrive to our hospital, a technician will take your pet to our triage area to be assessed by one of our doctors. Initially, the tech will get a temperature, pulse, respiration and weight on your pet. After performing this, they will document in their findings in the patients file and relay a full history to the doctor. Before speaking with you, the doctor will take the time to review any files you have brought with you, previous medical histories, as well as the intake forms you completed on ER Express.
Can I be with my pet while the doctor performs their exam?
Since we see patients in critical conditions and several at a time, we prefer to exam pets in our triage area where we have several resources available should we need them. If your pet is stable, a technician can bring your pet to the room to wait with you after the doctor is finished their exam.
I have been waiting awhile and haven't heard anything, is my pet okay?
At times, especially in the evenings and weekends, we may have an influx of critical patients in need of life saving intervention causing a delay for the doctor to come to speak with you. If a critical patient comes in and needs life-saving intervention, the doctor on duty may need to stop whatever they're doing to stabilize that patient. You can always check in with the front desk for a status update while waiting in hospital.
What to expect after the exam.
After doctor has reviewed previous history and medical exam, they will come speak with you about possible diagnosis as well as provide you an estimate for treatment and diagnostics. On each estimate there will be a range of cost between a low end and a high end. The estimate range typically covers a best case / worst case scenario and common complications. To start treatment and diagnostics, we do require a signature to approve the estimate and a full deposit of the low end of the estimate. We accept all major credit cards and cash, however we do not accept checks.
What to expect if your pet is hospitalized.
When your pet is hospitalized, we ask that we have one point of contact to receive updates that can relay information to the rest of the family. This eliminates any confusion. The doctor will speak with you and reach out about significant progress updates, treatment plans, and treatment plan changes. Any additional updates will be relayed from staff that is also working directly with your pet. Owners should call at minimum twice daily for updates but is best to avoid the hours of 6:30am-8am & 6:30pm-8pm.
Can I visit my pet is they have to be hospitalized?
Yes! You are more than welcome to spend some quality time with your pet. Please call and let the staff know when you want to come in to visit. During peak times, visits may be limited to 15-30 minute slots. Pets that are hospitalized in our Isolation Ward may have limited ability for visits in an effort to reduce potential contamination and disease spread.
When you first arrive to our hospital, a technician will take your pet to our triage area to be assessed by one of our doctors. Initially, the tech will get a temperature, pulse, respiration and weight on your pet. After performing this, they will document in their findings in the patients file and relay a full history to the doctor. Before speaking with you, the doctor will take the time to review any files you have brought with you, previous medical histories, as well as the intake forms you completed on ER Express.
Can I be with my pet while the doctor performs their exam?
Since we see patients in critical conditions and several at a time, we prefer to exam pets in our triage area where we have several resources available should we need them. If your pet is stable, a technician can bring your pet to the room to wait with you after the doctor is finished their exam.
I have been waiting awhile and haven't heard anything, is my pet okay?
At times, especially in the evenings and weekends, we may have an influx of critical patients in need of life saving intervention causing a delay for the doctor to come to speak with you. If a critical patient comes in and needs life-saving intervention, the doctor on duty may need to stop whatever they're doing to stabilize that patient. You can always check in with the front desk for a status update while waiting in hospital.
What to expect after the exam.
After doctor has reviewed previous history and medical exam, they will come speak with you about possible diagnosis as well as provide you an estimate for treatment and diagnostics. On each estimate there will be a range of cost between a low end and a high end. The estimate range typically covers a best case / worst case scenario and common complications. To start treatment and diagnostics, we do require a signature to approve the estimate and a full deposit of the low end of the estimate. We accept all major credit cards and cash, however we do not accept checks.
What to expect if your pet is hospitalized.
When your pet is hospitalized, we ask that we have one point of contact to receive updates that can relay information to the rest of the family. This eliminates any confusion. The doctor will speak with you and reach out about significant progress updates, treatment plans, and treatment plan changes. Any additional updates will be relayed from staff that is also working directly with your pet. Owners should call at minimum twice daily for updates but is best to avoid the hours of 6:30am-8am & 6:30pm-8pm.
Can I visit my pet is they have to be hospitalized?
Yes! You are more than welcome to spend some quality time with your pet. Please call and let the staff know when you want to come in to visit. During peak times, visits may be limited to 15-30 minute slots. Pets that are hospitalized in our Isolation Ward may have limited ability for visits in an effort to reduce potential contamination and disease spread.