Question 1

Is my pet experiencing a medical emergency?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes it’s tricky to know whether your pet is experiencing a medical emergency. If you are ever concerned about any symptoms your pet is displaying, our medical team can help to triage the situation 24/7 via our app, helping you to decide whether your pet needs to be seen ASAP.

Question 2

What are the warning signs of an emergency?

Accepted Answer

If your pet experiences any of the following, contact us immediately, while on your way to the practice, or emergency hospital during out-of- hours: - Wounds, possible broken bones or internal injuries from a blow or a fall - Sudden collapse, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, or unconsciousness - Seizure - Bleeding from mouth, nose, or eyes - Possible poisoning from consuming something toxic - Swallowed an inedible object - Repeated vomiting, vomiting blood or retching or trying to vomit with nothing coming up - Extreme pain (whining or shaking) - Hard and swollen abdomen - Straining, unable to pass urine - Unable to stand, wobbly, or dragging limbs - Sudden disorientation - Unable to deliver puppies or kittens (over two hours between puppies; over one hour between kittens; 30 minutes of straining to have a puppy or kitten without delivering; or a kitten or puppy that is visibly stuck).

Question 3

Do I need to be a member before I come to Small Door for an emergency?

Accepted Answer

This isn’t a problem. You can sign up for a membership when you arrive.

Question 4

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we accept all forms of pet insurance.

Question 5

How can I prepare for an emergency?

Accepted Answer

We recommend keeping some basic first aid materials on hand for your pets, to help patch up any injuries before you bring them to the vet. Here are some handy items to include: - Bandages (non-stick gauze pads, self-sticking bandage, roll gauze and medical tape) - Wound cleaning supplies (iodine cleaning wipes or pet-specific wound care spray) - Antibiotic ointment (over-the-counter Neosporin works, just make sure your pet can’t lick it off) - Eye wash (any eye wash from a human pharmacy) - A small instant ice pack to alleviate swelling - Tweezers (and if you frequently travel to places where ticks are common, you may wish to include a “tick key” or tick remover) - Thermometer (a soft or flexible tipped thermometer is best) - Splinting supplies (a magazine wrapped around the limb can work in a pinch) and blanket to use as a stretcher - Muzzle (even if your pet is usually well behaved, an animal that is in pain and scared may act unpredictably) - Sterile gloves for you to wear - Paperwork (your pet’s vaccine records and any important medical history).

Urgent Care & Emergencies

Urgent care & emergencies during opening hours

Urgent care & emergencies outside opening hours

New York City

Greater Boston Area

DMV Area

Common questions