It is our goal at the Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital to provide our patients with emergency care for injuries or

illnesses that require immediate attention. As it is often difficult to tell whether or not a pet requires immediate

 care, or can wait until the next business day, the following conditions are generally considered emergencies that

 should not wait:

·             Severe lethargy; sitting on bottom of cage and fluffed, laying on side, or unable to stand.

·               Poorly responsive to stimulation that normally interests pet (toy, opening cage, treat, etc.)

·               Uncontrolled bleeding.

·               Fractures with bone protruding from an injury site.

·               Difficult, rapid or labored breathing.

·               Anorexia (not eating) for 24 hour duration (12 hours in a very small or young animal)

If you are uncertain whether or not your pet requires immediate emergency attention, please contact the

doctor on call, as it is better to be safe than sorry. In cases of emergency or possible urgent care, please

phone the clinic at 425-486-9000. The recording will give you the number of the doctor on call. Call the

number and either the doctor on call will answer, or leave a message for a return call.  Please note that if

you have your phone number blocked, you will need to turn off the blocking before you dial, or the

message will not go through. If your call goes unanswered after twenty minutes, please call again as the

 doctor may have been unreachable due to limitations in cellular technology.

The following first aid tips may help while waiting for the doctor to return your call:

·          Control bleeding with direct pressure or a pressure bandage (not a tourniquet).

·          Gently warm a cold pet with hot water bottles wrapped in a towel, a heat

            producing light placed a safe distance from your pet, or a heating pad on low,

            wrapped in protective cloth and either alongside or under the enclosure. Never

place pet directly on a heating pad.

·          A poorly responsive, anorectic, pet that can swallow can be given small

            amounts of Karo or pancake syrup (not sugar-free).  A small amount may be

            placed between the cheek and teeth for absorption.

·          Minimize stress and handle as little as possible.  Keep pet in a box, cage or

            enclosure.

·          Place pets with fractures or other injuries in small containers to minimize

            activity.

·          To reduce stress and minimize the pet’s activity, darken the room or cage, or

            gently place a cover or towel on the box or enclosure.

Again, we are here to provide care for your pet, and the longer the time a condition is allowed to progress,

the more difficult it may be to treat or resolve.