Emergencies during opening hours: triage
During opening hours we see emergencies out of turn: call before you set off and the team will prepare a treatment area. Triage, stabilisation, diagnostics and an in-patient hospital on site. We are not open at night.
Mon–Fri 9–19, Sat 9–13 · tel. +48 74 660 62 68. Outside opening hours, on Sundays and on public holidays, the nearest 24-hour animal hospitals are SKVet Klinika Weterynaryjna (ul. Stabłowicka 109b, Wrocław, tel. 791 998 999) and Klinika Psa i Kota (ul. B. Krzywoustego 105/22, 51-166 Wrocław, tel. 71 339 82 48).
What it involves
Triage is a rapid assessment of how urgent a patient's condition is — carried out in the first minutes after arrival, before registration and before others who are waiting. A patient with breathing difficulty, shock, seizures or haemorrhage goes straight to an oxygen station, and the vet assesses breathing, circulation, consciousness and temperature according to a fixed protocol. Only once the patient has been stabilised is there time for a detailed history and diagnostics.
On site we have everything needed in the first hour: oxygen, infusion pumps, heating, ultrasound (including a rapid scan of the abdomen and chest for bleeding and fluid), digital X-ray, a laboratory with results within an hour, two operating theatres and an in-patient hospital. This allows us to treat wounds on the spot, decompress a twisted stomach, operate on pyometra, stabilise a patient in shock, unblock a cat's urethra or give an antidote.
Important: we are open Mon–Fri 9:00–19:00 and Sat 9:00–13:00. We do not run a night-time or holiday on-call service. If an emergency happens outside these hours, go directly to a 24-hour animal hospital in Wrocław — details are given below and on the answerphone message.
When it is used
Call +48 74 660 62 68 and come immediately, without a referral, if the animal: has difficulty breathing, is unconscious or having seizures, is bleeding heavily, has been hit by a vehicle or has fallen from a height, has a bloated, hard abdomen and is trying to vomit without result, cannot pass urine (male cat!), has eaten poison or medication, has heatstroke, has been bitten, has sudden paralysis, is straining unproductively during labour, or suddenly cannot stand. Phoning before you set off allows us to prepare oxygen, fluids and the team, and lets you hear what to do on the way.
Indications: symptoms that should prompt a visit
- A large-breed dog suddenly has a bloated, hard abdomen, is drooling and trying unsuccessfully to vomit.
- A male cat keeps going into the litter tray, straining and not passing urine — the urethra may be blocked.
- The animal has been hit by a car, even if it has got up and looks "normal".
- A dog or cat is breathing fast, with its mouth open, with abdominal effort, or has bluish gums.
- The animal has a seizure lasting more than 2–3 minutes, or several seizures in a row.
- A dog has eaten rat poison, a large amount of chocolate, xylitol, human medication or poisonous plants.
- A dog suddenly cannot stand on its hind legs — possible spinal cord compression.
- The animal has an extensive wound, severe bleeding or a burn.
Conditions for which we use it in particular
Diagnostics beforehand
In an emergency, diagnostics run in parallel with treatment. While the patient receives oxygen and a cannula, we perform a rapid ultrasound of the abdomen and chest (looking for free fluid and blood), take blood for a blood count, biochemistry, electrolytes and glucose, measure blood pressure and record an ECG. An X-ray of the chest and abdomen confirms a twisted stomach, pneumothorax, fractures or foreign bodies. The order of tests is decided by the patient's condition, not by a fixed routine — first whatever will change management within the next few minutes.
How it proceeds
After your phone call, the team prepares a treatment area. On arrival, the patient is assessed straight away in the waiting room or the treatment room: breathing, gum colour, pulse, consciousness, temperature. The urgency category decides whether the patient goes straight onto the table or can wait briefly in a quiet place. Meanwhile, the owner signs consent for the first procedures and gives the key information: what happened, when, what the animal ate, what medication it takes.
Stabilisation means oxygen, intravenous access, fluid boluses, pain relief, warming or cooling, and anti-seizure medication — depending on the condition. In parallel we carry out diagnostics, and after 20–40 minutes we usually have a diagnosis and a plan: surgery, hospitalisation, antidote treatment or — if the patient is stable — continuing at home. We discuss the plan, prognosis and costs with the owner before going any further.
If the patient will need continuous care overnight and their condition allows it, after stabilisation we arrange a transfer to a 24-hour animal hospital together with full documentation (STD-06).
Aftercare
After an emergency, the owner receives a written summary: what happened, what we did, which medication to give, and what to watch for at home. The check-up is most often the next day or after 2–3 days, depending on the case.
Call again if any symptoms return. Outside opening hours, use the 24-hour animal hospitals we refer to — their numbers are on the discharge notes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to phone before I come?
Yes, please, even from the road. This lets us prepare oxygen, fluids and the team, and we can often advise how to transport the animal safely or what to do straight away, for example in the case of poisoning.
Do you see patients at night or on Sundays?
No. We are open Mon–Fri 9:00–19:00 and Sat 9:00–13:00. Outside these hours, go to a 24-hour animal hospital in Wrocław — SKVet (791 998 999) or Klinika Psa i Kota (71 339 82 48).
My dog looks fine after being hit by a car — can I keep an eye on it at home?
No. Internal bleeding, pneumothorax and a ruptured bladder may show symptoms only after several hours. After any accident we recommend an examination, ultrasound and X-ray on the same day.
Should I make my pet vomit after it has eaten poison?
Do not do this yourself without advice — with some substances (corrosives, oils) it is harmful. Call immediately, tell us what the animal ate and when, and come with the packaging.
How much will it cost?
We give an estimate after the first assessment, before any further steps, and update it as we go. We carry out the first life-saving measures in parallel with the conversation about costs.
We manage every case individually. The scope, indications and course described above are indicative; we agree the exact diagnostic and treatment plan during the consultation. This content is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Have questions about emergencies during opening hours?
Call us or book a consultation. We will set out the diagnostic and treatment plan in writing, before you decide.