Emergency Vet in Elk River, MN

If your pet is experiencing a life-threatening event and you need emergency vet care in Elk River, MN, our staff at Barrington Oaks Veterinary Hospital is here to help. It is recommended that you call before coming in so that a team member can advise you on your particular emergency. Certain emergencies may require our team to refer your and your pet to an emergency service for care. 

Please Note: We are NOT a 24-hour emergency vet service. We are only available to help with emergency situations during our regular business hours when doctors are on site.
Mon-Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat: 8am – 12pm
Sun: Closed

*Emergency appointments are limited. Once we have reached capacity for what our hospital and team can provide care for, you and your pet will be referred to an emergency service.

Emergency Vet Care Services We Provide

Our staff is able to provide a number of emergency vet services once you arrive with your pet. This can include emergency first aid (wound cleaning and stitching), administering IV fluids, conducting X-rays and in-house lab diagnostic tests, blood pressure and oxygen monitoring, and more.

Signs of a Pet Emergency

Some situations that require emergency vet care are obvious. If your pet is bleeding from a wound or has been struck by a vehicle, that’s an emergency. Other times, your pet may simply appear to be not feeling well.

The following symptoms are usually a sign that your pet is experiencing a health emergency that may require immediate care:

• Abnormal temperature: This includes body temperatures below 98 degrees Fahrenheit or above 105 degrees
• Seizure from a head injury or epilepsy
• Pale gums
• Abnormal pulse: Too weak or too rapid
• Vomiting blood or bloody diarrhea; severe diarrhea is a sign of dehydration
• Pet is unconscious

In addition, pets suffering from heatstroke will show symptoms of panting, a pulse that is too rapid, vomiting, and lethargy.
Another serious sign of a pet emergency in dogs is extreme stomach bloat. This is known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or GDV. When a dog’s stomach swells up from this condition, it cuts off its abdominal veins. They’ll take on a hunched appearance and will try, but be unable, to vomit. This is a severe dog emergency that can result in a canine’s death in as little as an hour.

Stabilizing Your Pet in an Emergency Situation

Pet owners can provide basic first aid treatment to an injured pet while transporting them to Barrington Oaks Veterinary Hospital:

• Apply pressure to a bleeding wound and try to keep it elevated above the animal’s heart
• If the pet is choking, try to remove the object from its throat with your finger. You can also give a sharp rap to the animal’s chest with your fingers to try to dislodge an obstruction.
• To perform pet CPR, lay the animal on its side. Hold the mouth closed and blow through the nostrils once every three seconds. If your pet’s heart has stopped, do three chest compressions between each breath.

After office hours

If you find that you need emergency assistance after business hours, we recommend Blue Pearl Arden Hills, Allied Veterinary Service – Brooklyn Park, or the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. They are available when we are closed and we trust them for quality care! In the event you have to visit the emergency clinic we can get the records so we can follow up if your pet needs further care.

For your convenience, we have provided the contact and website information for the after-hours locations here.