When your pet faces a health crisis, every minute matters. At Oasis Small Animal and Exotics Veterinary Hospital, our trained team is ready to provide immediate, compassionate care during our regular business hours. We commit to keeping you informed every step of the way, providing clear communication and support during what we know is a stressful time for any pet parent.
Please call us at (804) 348-8808 in advance of your visit when possible. This helps our staff fully prepare for your pet’s arrival and prioritize their needs faster, ensuring you and your pet receive the best care possible.
Signs of a pet emergency:
- Pale gums
- Rapid breathing
- Weak or rapid pulse
- Change in body temperature
- Difficulty standing
- Apparent paralysis
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Excessive bleeding
- Hit by car or other traumatic injury
Exotic Pet Emergencies
Birds, reptiles, and small mammals often hide illness until they are critically sick. For exotic pets, these signs require immediate care:
- Sitting on cage bottom (birds)
- Open-mouth breathing
- Sudden weakness or lethargy
- Prolapsed tissues
- Egg binding
- Guinea pig, rabbit, chinchilla, or other pocket pet not eating or defecating for over four hours
Safety Tips
Pets who are severely ill or injured may try to bite, claw, or act aggressively toward those trying to help them. Approach any injured or sick pet slowly and calmly. Say the pet’s name and see how they react. Call for help if the pet responds aggressively. For a large dog who cannot move, fashion a makeshift stretcher with a blanket or tarp and ensure the neck is supported. For cats, slowly place a blanket or towel over their heads to prevent biting. Then, slowly lift the animal into an open-topped carrier or box. If possible, elevate and apply pressure to any bleeding wound.
If you think your pet has eaten or been exposed to something toxic:
Call us at (804) 348-8808 immediately! Outside of our regular hours, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center‘s 24-hour hotline at 888-426-4435. Trained toxicologists assess your pet’s age, health, and what was ingested, and then recommend what action should be taken.