Emergency & Critical Care

Emergencies can happen at any moment, are often unexpected, and tend to occur after normal business hours when your primary care veterinarian is not available. Illness or injury, we are here for you and your pet 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rest assured, whether you’re a longtime client, referred by your vet, or find your pet in need of immediate medical care in the middle of the night, we are here to help.

Encompassing a vigilant team of board certified criticalists, specially trained staff veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians and assistants, our team is equipped to handle and treat any pet emergency with expertise and urgency. The Emergency Critical Care Department at Oradell Animal Hospital is staffed and operational at all times, caring for your companion around the clock as we would our own.

If your pet is not a patient of Oradell Animal Hospital we will collaborate with your family veterinarian to ensure a seamless level of care. Our goal is not take the place of your primary vet, but to function as an extension of their practice. 

How To Identify An Emergency 

Signs/Symptoms:

  • Abnormal anxiety or restlessness
  • Bleeding
  • Collapse
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Drastic change in body temperature – heat stroke
  • Excessive diarrhea and/or vomiting
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Pale gums
  • Paralysis or difficulty standing
  • Seizures or neurologic episodes​
  • Straining/inability to urinate

Traumatic Injuries:

  • Blunt Force – hit by a car​
  • Penetrating – gun shot, impalement, animal bites
  • Acceleration/Deceleration – high rise injury
  • Crushing – stepped on, crushed by large object
  • Environmental – burn, venomous snake bite

Toxin Ingestion:

  • Xylitol – artificial sweetener used in sugar-free gum and candy
  • Chocolate
  • Grapes, Raisins
  • Macadamia Nuts
  • Mushrooms
  • Rat poison, Anti-freeze
  • Coins
  • Houseplants –
  • Human medications – Asprin​, Ibuprofen

If you suspect or know that your pet has ingested any of the following, bring your pet in immediately and please contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888)-426-4435

Triage Protocol

Each pet presented to our ER will be examined by a veterinary triage technician who will ask some questions about your pet, conduct a brief exam and record your pet’s vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, etc.). This is crucial to the emergency process because if several patients arrive at the same time, we must attend to the most critical patients first.

IF YOUR PET IS CRITICAL

Critically ill patients will be taken to our treatment area immediately where a veterinarian will make an assessment and give orders for emergency medications and oxygen therapy if indicated.

IF YOUR PET IS STABLE

Stable patients will remain with you in our seating area while the emergency veterinarian prepares to examine your pet. If you feel your pet’s condition is worsening while you are waiting, please alert any staff member immediately.

IF YOUR PET IS HOSPITALIZED

Your pet’s veterinarian will always touch base with you on a daily basis. These updates generally take place after morning rounds, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Additional updates are provided regardless of time, day or night, after a diagnostic procedure or surgery, or if there is a significant change in your pet’s condition. To receive an update on your hospitalized pet please call us at (201)-262-0010 Option 4. This line is available 7 days a week from 9:00am-5:00pm. Our client communication representatives are updated daily on your pet’s condition by the attending veterinarian and will relay pertinent information to you. If necessary, the doctor will speak with you directly.

VISITING HOURS

All visitations are approached on a case by case basis, are limited to critically ill patients, and are determined by the case doctor and safety protocols.

PERSONAL ITEMS

While your pet is hospitalized, we request that you take home all personal belongings including: collar, leash, clothing, blankets, bed and toys. There are a lot of moving parts in the hospital and many loads of laundry – we would hate to lose a valuable belonging. Rest assured, patients have clean, comfortable bedding at all times.