Check in and Triage FAQs

We respect your time and are proud to offer a convenient, centrally located hospital with a large open waiting area for you and your pets comfort. We also have a lovely outdoor landscaped area for you to enjoy during your wait.

If your pet is in critical condition, please call us immediately at (505) 266-7866.

Call Us On Your Way

1. For faster check in- we may be able get you into our system on your way in, call us!
2. Once you are check in and in the Lobby, our front desk team will keep you up to date on potential wait times and assist with comfort items, ask us for snacks and coffee!
3. When it’s almost your pet’s turn to be seen, we will get you into an exam room.

When is emergency care right for my pet?

If your pet has a non-life threatening issue such as limping, an ear infection, skin allergies or other non life threatening concerns an ER or URGENT visit may be right for you, BUT you will likely experience a longer wait than more critical and life threatening cases. We ae here to help all patients wherever we can!

URGENT AND EMERGENCY CASES SHOULD HEAD TO THE HOSPITAL ASAP, YOU CAN CALL ON THE WAY FOR SPEEDY CHECK IN, BUT DO NOT DELAY IF YOU ARE CONCERNED AN ISSUE IS LIFE TREATENING!

Do you take appointments?

No, this is not an appointment. All patients are seen based on the severity of their condition. This does not guarantee your pet will be seen before other patients.

Can I bring in multiple pets?

Absolutely, if more than one pet needs to be seen, we will check them in and see then individually.

What if I decide I no longer want/need to have my pet seen?

Please let our front desk team know so we can remove your pet from our waiting queue/check ed in list. Please note that you may always return later.

How do I know if my pet’s condition is critical and needs to be brought in immediately vs. stable and able to wait their turn?

We understand it can be confusing when your pet is sick if they need to be rushed into the hospital or not. We encourage you to call us at the hospital and are happy to answer your questions to help you figure out your next steps for your pet’s emergency care.

Do you take pets in the order they are checked in? Are you able to give an estimated wait time for my pet to be seen?

As an emergency veterinary hospital, we try to take patients in the order they are checked in, but they are also triaged by a three tier system, which priority 1 patients being seen first. Once you check your pet in we will triage them based on the symptoms you’ve provided and contact you with an estimated wait time. If you believe your pet is experiencing a life-threatening situation, please call us immediately at (505) 266-7866.

- PRIORITY 1: May survive if life-saving measures are applied
  Examples: poisoning, collapse, bloat (GDV), actively seizures, allergic reactions, traffic accident, difficulty breathing, urinary tract blockage, and heat stroke
- PRIORITY 2: Likely to survive if care is given within hours
  Examples: closed fractures, diarrhea, actively vomiting, bowel obstruction, and urinary tract infections
- PRIORITY 3: Non-life-threatening conditions
  Examples: skin conditions, lameness, abscess, minor wounds, sore eyes/ears, and chronic diseases

What if I don’t know my pet’s exact birthday?

Just give us your best approximated guess.

What if I’m not sure of my pet’s sex?

That’s okay! It can be difficult to determine sometimes with babies, birds, etc. Please fill this in with your best guess. We will confirm during the visit if possible.