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Same-Day Urgent & Emergency Veterinary Care for Dogs and Cats in Stittsville, Kanata and West Ottawa

Urgent Medical Assessments During Clinic Hours — Clear Guidance, In-House Diagnostics

Transparent Pricing and Upfront Estimates. Care provided during clinic hours for dogs and cats only. Same day appointments are usually available.

What Urgent Care Means at Our Clinic

Urgent visits are scheduled based on medical urgency and appointment availability. Once urgency is assessed, appointments are offered in order of availability, and earlier-arriving cases within the same urgency level are seen sooner when possible.
 
We focus on timely veterinary assessment and clear expectations, rather than extended intake processes or uncertain waiting periods. If a case cannot be appropriately seen during clinic hours, this is discussed during the initial call so you can make informed next steps early.

When to Call for Urgent Care

Please contact us if your pet is experiencing any sudden or concerning change, including:
 

 

  • Vomiting or diarrhea

  • Difficulty breathing or persistent coughing

  • Weakness, collapse, or extreme lethargy

  • Sudden pain, limping, or crying out

  • Wounds, bites, or injuries

  • Not eating or drinking

  • Urinary straining or blood in the urine

  • Any sudden change that feels urgent to you

 

If you are unsure whether your pet’s condition is urgent, calling allows us to assess the situation and help guide appropriate next steps.

What Happens When You Call

  1. Initial Questions

    We ask a few focused questions to understand your pet’s symptoms, timing, and level of concern.
     

  2. Visit Scheduling

    Urgent visits are scheduled based on medical urgency and appointment availability. Once urgency is assessed, appointments are offered in order of availability, and earlier-arriving cases within the same urgency level are seen sooner when possible.
     

  3. Assessment and Discussion

    During the visit, findings, diagnostic options, and costs are discussed before proceeding with testing or treatment.

 

We focus on timely veterinary assessment and clear expectations, rather than extended intake processes or uncertain waiting periods. If a case cannot be appropriately seen during clinic hours, this is discussed during the initial call so you can make informed next steps early.

Diagnostics and Procedures During Urgent Visits

Many urgent conditions can look similar at home but differ significantly in cause and severity. Diagnostic testing allows veterinarians to understand what is happening internally and guide safe, appropriate care.

 

Depending on your pet’s condition, urgent visits may involve:

 

  1. In-house bloodwork

  2. Urinalysis or fecal testing

  3. Digital X-rays

  4. Cytology (skin, ear, or mass evaluation)

  5. Sedation when required for safe assessment or treatment

 

Diagnostic testing is recommended when it helps reduce uncertainty, clarify severity, and guide medical decision-making.

Costs and Expectations

An emergency examination fee applies for urgent or emergency-case assessments. This fee covers the initial veterinary evaluation.
 

 

  • Diagnostic tests and treatments are discussed before proceeding

  • Pricing for diagnostics and treatments is consistent across weekdays and weekends

  • Payment is due at the time of service

 

We understand urgent visits can be stressful. Our focus is on clear communication, timely assessment, and appropriate next steps so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.

What Urgent Care Is Not

Urgent care is not intended for:
 

 

  • Routine wellness visits or vaccinations

  • Grooming or non-medical services

  • Long-term specialty hospitalization

 

If your pet is stable and your concern is planned or preventive, a wellness appointment may be more appropriate.

Referral and Advanced Care

Some urgent conditions require specialty or referral-level care. When this is the case, we discuss findings openly and help guide appropriate next steps so that care can continue without unnecessary delay.

If your pet needs urgent medical assessment during clinic hours, please contact us.

 

Call or text to book an urgent visit.

343-463-8787

Veterinary exam room at Stittsville Kanata Veterinary Hospital used for urgent medical assessment.

Urgent Care FAQs

Is this an emergency, or can it wait?

 

Some urgent problems require prompt assessment even if a pet still appears alert. Because similar symptoms can represent very different levels of severity, a veterinary assessment is the safest way to determine whether care can wait or should be addressed sooner. Calling allows us to help guide appropriate next steps based on what you’re seeing.
 

 

 

Will my pet be seen right away when I call?

 

Urgent visits are scheduled based on medical urgency and appointment availability. Once urgency is assessed, appointments are offered in order of availability, and earlier-arriving cases within the same urgency level are seen sooner when possible. Our goal is to provide timely veterinary assessment with clear expectations rather than prolonged uncertainty.
 

 

 

Why are diagnostic tests often recommended for urgent visits?

 

Clinical signs alone cannot reliably show what is happening internally or how severe a condition may be. Diagnostic testing helps veterinarians distinguish between minor and serious causes, guide safe treatment decisions, and avoid unnecessary or inappropriate care. Testing is recommended when it helps clarify the situation and guide next steps.
 

 

 

What if my pet improves before the appointment?

 

Some conditions can appear to improve temporarily while still being medically significant. Improvement does not always mean the underlying problem has resolved. If symptoms change before your visit, we recommend updating us so we can reassess urgency and advise whether the appointment should proceed.
 

 

 

What if my pet needs care beyond what can be provided here?

 

Some urgent conditions require specialty or referral-level care. If this is identified, findings are discussed openly and next steps are guided early so that care can continue without unnecessary delay.

Routine wellness exams, preventive vaccinations, and ongoing care for stable pets are provided through scheduled  General Wellness appointments

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