Bringing your pet to an emergency or urgent care veterinary hospital is stressful. You may be worried, scared, or exhausted, and when you arrive, it can feel frustrating if your pet is not seen immediately or if other patients are taken back before yours. These feelings are completely understandable. Behind the scenes, however, there is a careful medical process in place to make sure every pet receives the right care at the right time.

Why the Lobby May Look Quiet

One of the most confusing parts of visiting an emergency veterinary hospital is when the lobby looks calm or even empty, yet the wait feels long. What you may not see is that much of the most critical care happens in treatment areas behind the scenes. Pets requiring immediate care, like trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, or other serious issues, are often taken straight to the treatment area so they can receive immediate attention.

At the same time, our team may already be caring for hospitalized patients who require constant monitoring, oxygen support, IV medications, or emergency procedures. Even when the lobby is quiet, our emergency and critical care teams are often working at full capacity.

What Is Veterinary Triage?

Triage is a medical system used in all emergency rooms, both human and veterinary. It determines the order in which patients are treated based on the severity of their condition, not on arrival time. Pets with life-threatening conditions are always seen first, followed by patients who are stable and can safely wait.

For example, a dog with mild vomiting and diarrhea may need emergency care, but they may wait longer if another pet arrives struggling to breathe or actively bleeding. This approach ensures that pets who need immediate, lifesaving treatment receive it without delay.

What Happens When You Arrive With Your Pet

When you check in, a trained veterinary technician assesses your pet as quickly as possible. This initial evaluation focuses on vital signs, breathing effort, alertness, pain level, and the reason for your visit. While the technician does not diagnose or treat your pet at this stage, they gather essential information and immediately communicate it to an emergency veterinarian.

Your pet is prioritized based on medical urgency while you wait. Pets are reassessed if their condition changes, and priority is adjusted accordingly. Please notify our team immediately if you have any concerns.

Why Emergency Veterinary Wait Times Can Be Longer Than Expected

Emergency veterinary medicine has changed significantly in recent years. Many emergency hospitals are caring for far more patients than they were just a few years ago, due to increased pet ownership and fewer available veterinary facilities. At the same time, the veterinary profession is experiencing widespread staffing shortages, which affects hospitals nationwide.

Additionally, some local hospitals may close overnight or stop accepting emergencies, meaning their patients are redirected to facilities like VERC. While these challenges can lead to longer wait times, our team remains focused on providing safe, high-quality care to every pet we see.

How You Can Help During the Triage Process

There are several ways you can help us care for your pet as efficiently as possible:

• Call ahead if you can. Letting us know you are on the way allows our team to prepare, especially if your pet has experienced trauma or ingested something toxic.

• Be ready to share details. Clear information about your pet’s symptoms, medications, and medical history helps us assess urgency more accurately.

• Speak up if something changes. If your pet’s condition worsens while you are waiting, notify our client care team immediately.

• Be patient and kind. Every member of our team is working together, even if you do not see it firsthand, to care for the pets in our community.

A Final Reassurance

Waiting during an emergency visit is never easy, especially when you are worried about your pet. Please know that if you are waiting, it often means your pet is currently stable, and that is a good thing. Our emergency and critical care teams are constantly assessing priorities and working to see every patient as quickly and safely as possible.

We truly appreciate your patience and trust. We are here for you, your pet, and our entire community, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.