Pet Resources Library
Helpful 1st Pet Links
Emergency & Urgent Care Info
Pet emergencies happen at unexpected moments. If your pet needs urgent medical attention, use these guidelines to determine whether your pet needs Urgent Care or the 1st Pet Emergency Room:
EMERGENCY:
If your pet is showing symptoms of a life-threatening condition, take them to the closest veterinarian immediately. Common signs of a pet emergency are listed here.
URGENT CARE:
If your pet is NOT displaying life-threatening symptoms but needs prompt medical attention, Urgent Care may be the best solution. As each of our hospitals has different Urgent Care schedules, please call us to make an Urgent Care appointment.
Common conditions we can treat at Urgent Care are listed here.
Not sure which department you need? Give us a call at any of our three hospital locations:
1st Pet Blood Bank
Utilizing donated animal blood helps us save many more pet lives each year than ever before. Veterinary blood banks, like the 1stPet Blood Bank, are able to keep up with the demand for blood through voluntary donors. Our growing network of local animal donors (called the Paws of Life team) helps to ensure that pets in the most critical conditions have the blood they need, when they need it.
Pet Pain Management
In addition to being unable to tell us with words when they are in pain, our pets are often masters of hiding any indication that something is wrong. This can make it difficult to know when your pet needs to be taken to the veterinarian for further pain evaluation and treatment.
With that being said, there are some signs you can watch for that may indicate a painful condition:
- Limping or difficulty moving
- Increased painting or audible breathing
- Muscle Deterioration
- Decreased Appetite
- Increased Vocalization
- Aletered Sleep or Restlessness
1stPet has many options to help reduce your pet’s pain and improve their quality of life, including hydrotherapy, cold laser therapy, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and more.
Feline & Canine Dental Health
Good dental health does more than keep your pet’s breath fresh—it plays a vital role in their overall well-being, including heart health. Many pet owners don’t realize that poor oral hygiene can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease. You can keep your pet’s teeth and heart healthy by:
- Scheduling regular dental cleanings
- Monitoring for signs of dental disease
- Brushing your pet’s teeth at home
- Keeping up with regular check ups
End-of-Life Care
Deciding when it’s “time” to let go of your furry friend at the end of their life is incredibly difficult. Some issues to take into consideration as you make this big decision are your pet’s quality of life, the cost of continued care, the time you must invest for continued care, and the kind of life you want your pet to live. Quality of life is a subjective assessment, but it can be judged in part by evaluating things such as your pet’s appetite, activity and energy level, grooming habits, and attention to daily rituals. If you’d like to speak to a member of our veterinary team about planning for your pet’s end-of-life care, give us a call.
Spay & Neuter Services
Spaying and neutering your pets does more than prevent unwanted litters and reduce shelter overcrowding – it also reduces your pet’s risk of breast cancer, testicular cancer, and other tumors.
Prior to spaying or neutering, dogs like to mark their territory and bark or howl frequently. They may also be more aggressive and some even fight with other dogs. Completing this low-risk procedure while your pet is young can sometimes even prevent these problem behaviors from starting, or help eliminate them later on. We recommend spaying puppies around 6 months and kittens as soon as they are over 2 pounds, usually around 8 weeks.
Grief Support Services
Pet loss and severe illness are some of the most difficult parts of being an animal lover. Our compassionate social workers are on site several days a week to support clients through traumatic events, euthanasia decisions, and other emotional moments.
Our social work services include:
- Grief and Bereavement Support – Helping clients navigate the loss of a beloved pet through education, validation, and virtual pet loss support groups, held on the last Wednesday of every month at 6 pm. Learn more
- Emotional Support During Difficult Decisions – Providing space and compassion for clients facing emergencies, quality of life concerns, chronic illness, or rehoming decisions for their companion animal.
- Linking Clients to Community Resources – Connecting clients with financial assistance programs, pet-friendly housing or food banks, and/or referrals for mental health services.
Our social workers also offer a monthly virtual Grief Support Group for bereaved clients, and they can also offer support by phone.
