When to Visit
If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms or situations, we recommend bringing them to the closest available veterinary hospital immediately:
Disease or Illness
- Difficulty breathing, with or without cough
- Stumbling or falling, dragging or not using legs, collapse
- Sudden changes in behavior, such as bumping into things, acting disoriented, acting anxious, acting painful, or hiding
- First time seizures, seizures lasting more than three minutes, multiple seizures in a short time
- Straining to urinate small amounts or not at all
- Profuse or prolonged (>24hrs) vomiting and diarrhea, especially if containing blood
- Non-productive vomiting/retching
- Distended abdomen
- Severe skin reactions such as facial swelling, or surgical incisions that appear open
Trauma
- Bite wounds, wounds of unknown origin, chemical or thermal burns
- Eye injuries
- Vehicular injuries
- Falls from high places, blunt force trauma
- Hot car confinement, heatstroke
- Bleeding
Ingestion
- Foods such as chocolate, grapes/raisins, gum or baked goods with xylitol
- Human medications, both prescription and over the counter
- Plants such as lilies, wild mushrooms, or marijuana
- Household chemicals such as antifreeze, mouse or rat poison
- Non-digestible objects (socks and clothing, toys, rubber, rocks, ribbons and string, etc)
If your pet has ingested a cleaning, health-care, or other product, bring the
product’s packaging or label with you to the emergency room.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or need guidance about your pet’s specific condition:
860-846-4727
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24/7 for you to call in case of emergency. In addition to helping with emergencies, the Poison Control experts can provide you with valuable information on how to recognize and protect your pet from poisonous and toxic substances. A consultation fee of $85 may apply.
What To Expect
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a client service representative, and your pet will be evaluated by one of our triage technicians to determine if they are in stable condition or should be seen immediately by a veterinarian. We have staff members who can assist you with bringing your pet into the hospital if necessary.
Arrival and Triage
If we are concerned that your pet may be unstable, we will bring them into our treatment area to be examined by a doctor. If your pet appears stable, we will ask that they wait with you until a doctor is available to see them. A veterinary assistant will invite you to bring your pet into a room so they can be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
Consultation
One of our veterinarians will perform a full physical exam of your pet, and will
speak with you to understand the conditions that led you to our emergency facility. A medical plan consisting of diagnostics and treatment options will be provided, including an estimate of cost.
Treatment
OUTPATIENT: Many pets are treated and able to return home the same day to continue care with their primary care veterinarian or at home.
INPATIENT: Some patients need to be hospitalized for ongoing diagnostics, monitoring, and care. You will be able to speak with a doctor and other support staff daily for updates on your pet while they stay with us. Depending on your pet’s condition, you may be able to have them transferred to your primary care veterinarian for continued care once they are available.
Your primary care veterinarian will be notified within a few hours of your pet being admitted to our hospital, and our doctors will send records and communicate throughout their time with us and provide them with treatment and follow-up information to continue your pet’s care once you leave our hospital.
We're Here 24/7 for Your Pet
Contact our ER team with any questions.
Find Your Nearest Pieper Veterinary
With several locations across Connecticut, expert care is close by.
Expert Emergency Care
Olivia Biluck, BVetMed, MRCVS
Veterinarian - ER
Katherine Blakeley, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Christopher Blanch, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Stephanie Boisvert, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Genevieve Casse, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Chelsea Churchill, DVM
Veterinarian - Primary Care/ER
Faith Edwin, DVM, MS
Veterinarian - ER
Lara Gardner, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Reiss Gidner, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Kahlia Gonzales, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Ellie Handberg, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Allison Hill, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Kristina Kaleel, DVM, MPS
Veterinarian - ER
Kathleen M. Kimball, DVM
Veterinarian- ER/Urgent Care
Abigail Martinson, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Melissa McDaniel, DVM, MPH
Veterinarian - ER
Danielle Money, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Daniel Niemczyk, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Alison Parker, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Rachel Roy, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Andrew Scarano, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Jessi Taylor, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
Jessica Urbonas, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
ER Department Head
David Vafek, VMD
Veterinarian - ER
Meagan Vail, DVM
Veterinarian- Primary Care/ER
Allison Wallace, DVM
Veterinarian - ER
“Everyone, the front desk staff, vet techs, doctors, took the time we needed to help us understand what was happening and what steps would be taken. I tell anyone who will listen about Pieper, you're the best!”
“The staff was extremely compassionate, professional, and knowledgeable during a very difficult time… I had to drive over an hour to get to Pieper and I will tell you that I would drive that again to bring my animal here for top notch care.”
“Dr Urbonas was everything you hope a doctor would be in an urgent medical situation - professional and knowledgeable, kind and caring, confident and positive. With a reassuring "we got this" attitude.”
“Thanks to their expertise and unwavering care, our girl is back home, healing, and slowly returning to her joyful self. We are forever grateful.”
“Everyone is so kind and helpful! I love how down to earth the staff members are. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful team working with me and my pets!”
“Pieper made my dog and I feel so welcome and taken care of the whole time we were there. 10/10, fantastic care.”
“The front desk staff celebrating with me when I shared the news that [my cat] was okay is something I will never forget. Every step of the process, I knew I could trust Pieper to deliver the best veterinary care and owner support.”
“The techs and veterinarians were incredibly kind and efficient. I have nothing but good things to say about this place and I am so grateful that they took care of our dog the way they did.”
“Every single member of the staff cared greatly about the pets that were there. Outstanding communication, both written and verbal, and did a wonderful job at managing expectations.”
“Dr. Carreras and her Pieper Oncology Team go above and beyond. The care, empathy, communication and overall professionalism they all provide is amazing.”
“Thanks to all who helped Gus thru his surgery and recovery, especially Dr Heather Mossman and everyone who attended to Gus during his stay. You set my family at ease knowing our sweet boy Gus was in the best of hands.”
“Pieper has the best veterinary staff that have ever treated my pets in all my experience as a pet owner.”
“We had a fantastic experience. The entire team took great care of Henry and kept us updated the entire time. He is doing great and we are so thankful!”
“The genuine care from every single staff member just blows my mind. I can't speak highly enough of every single person associated with Pieper. Thank you for all you have done for me and my Mochi.”
“My rabbit and I had a great appointment with the exotics department! It's a relief to have a specialist nearby that is knowledgeable, experienced, and comfortable with protocols to keep stress as low as possible.”
“Extraordinary service and care. I am a nurse. I pay attention to the details. Pieper has hit it out of the park”
“I feel like my baby is in the best hands when it comes to the care he's receiving. Dr. Hammond is hands down the best doctor I've encountered!”
“The staff at Pieper were very caring and professional. The Vets in Internal Medicine and Oncology were extremely knowledgeable and thorough. I would highly recommend them”