Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care for Pets: What Is the Difference?

When your pet suddenly is not feeling well, it can be hard to know where to go or how quickly you need help. At Pieper, we hear this question every day from Connecticut pet owners:

What is the difference between urgent care and emergency care for pets?

Here is a clear guide to help you decide which type of care your pet needs so you can get help quickly and confidently.

The Short Answer

Urgent Care is for issues that need attention soon, often the same day, but are not life-threatening.

Emergency Care is for serious, time-sensitive, or life-threatening problems that require immediate intervention and potentially overnight hospitalization.

At Pieper, we offer both:

Urgent Care in Madison
Urgent Care at Lebanon Veterinary Hospital
Emergency Care in at Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown, open 24 hours a day

What Is Pet Urgent Care?

Pet urgent care fills the gap between your primary care vet and the emergency room. It is designed for problems that are uncomfortable or concerning, but not dangerous to your pet’s life.

Common Reasons Pets Visit Urgent Care in Connecticut

These are problems that need care soon but are not life-threatening.

Vomiting or diarrhea that is mild to moderate
Ear infections
Eye irritation
Coughing or sneezing
Skin issues, rashes, or itching
Minor wounds or abscesses
Lameness or limping that is mild
Urinary issues
Decreased appetite
Scooting or anal gland concerns
Pain or discomfort that is not severe
Broken nails

Urgent care is ideal when your regular veterinarian is closed or fully booked, or when an issue simply cannot wait for the next appointment.

Where to find Urgent Care in Connecticut

Visit our website for hours and online booking.

What Is a Pet Emergency?

Emergency care is meant for situations where your pet’s health or safety is at serious risk and cannot wait for a scheduled visit.

Go to the ER at Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center in Middletown, CT right away if your pet is experiencing:

Difficulty breathing
Collapse episodes
Trouble standing or walking
Major trauma such as being hit by a car
Uncontrolled bleeding, pale gums
Seizures
Ingestion of a toxin
Bloat or a distended abdomen
Heatstroke
Inability to urinate, especially male cats
Severe vomiting or diarrhea, can’t keep food or water down
If your pet has swallowed a foreign object
Any situation where your pet seems drastically unwell

Our Middletown Emergency Hospital is open 24 hours a day with advanced diagnostics, a full critical care team, and access to board-certified specialists.

How To Decide Where To Go

Here is an easy way to think about it.

Choose Urgent Care if:

The issue is uncomfortable but not immediately dangerous
Your pet is still alert and acting mostly normal
Symptoms came on gradually

Choose Emergency Care if:

The issue involves breathing, bleeding, collapse, or extreme pain
Symptoms appeared suddenly or are getting worse quickly
Your pet may have eaten something toxic
Your instincts tell you it is serious

When in doubt, call us. Our teams can guide you.

Why Pieper Offers Both Urgent and Emergency Care

Not every situation requires the emergency room, but many pet concerns cannot wait for a routine appointment. Offering both levels of care allows us to:

Provide faster access to help
Reduce ER wait times
Ensure pets receive the right level of treatment
Support local veterinarians when they are closed or fully booked

This approach makes sure Connecticut pet owners always have somewhere to turn.

Where To Go for Care

Pieper Madison – Urgent Care

Same-day care for non-life-threatening issues.

Lebanon Veterinary Hospital – Urgent Care & Primary Care

Same-day care for pets in the Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Pieper Memorial – Emergency & Specialty Care (24/7)

Life-threatening emergencies, serious illness, or sudden injury.

Your pet’s health is our priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Addresses, hours, and online check-in are available at pieperveterinary.com.