Emergency Pet Care in Duxbury, MA

When your pet is sick or injured, every minute matters. At Duxbury Animal Hospital, our team is here to help dogs and cats during a medical emergency within our hospital hours. If you believe your pet is experiencing an emergency while we’re open, please call us right away at (781) 737-7820 before coming in so our team can prepare for your pet’s arrival.

Call (781) 737-7820

During Our Hospital Hours: Call First

If your pet has an emergency while we’re open, calling ahead is the most important first step. It lets our team get ready before you arrive — preparing a table, fluids, oxygen, medications, and whatever else your pet may need — so we can begin caring for your pet the moment you walk through the door. For emergencies outside our hospital hours, please see our Emergency Vet Care in Duxbury, MA page for trusted after-hours options on the South Shore.

Hospital hours: Monday–Thursday 8 AM – 8 PM, Friday 8 AM – 5 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Common Pet Emergencies

It isn’t always obvious when a situation is an emergency. Some of the most common emergencies we see in dogs and cats include:

Difficulty breathing, or open-mouth breathing in cats
Sudden collapse, severe weakness, or extreme lethargy
Seizures or tremors
Traumatic injury, fractures, or car accidents
Bleeding, internal or external
Suspected poisoning or ingestion of a toxin
Urinary blockages (especially in cats) or inability to pass urine or stool
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, sometimes with blood
Bloating in dogs
Eye injuries — these are almost always urgent

When in doubt, it’s always safest to call. We would much rather hear from you than have you wait.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Because pets often hide illness — and cats especially are reluctant to show pain — subtle changes can matter. Watch for loss of appetite, sudden lethargy, fever, or unusual behavior. One helpful habit: check your pet’s gum color, which should be pink. Pale gums can signal internal bleeding or another serious problem. If something seems wrong, don’t hesitate to call us.

How Our Team Responds in an Emergency

When you arrive, our first priority is to stabilize your pet. We’ll gather your account of what happened, check vital signs, and look for dehydration, blood loss, or visible injuries. We may provide IV fluids, oxygen therapy, or pain relief right away, then use Pet Digital Diagnostic Imaging and bloodwork to understand what’s happening inside. Once your pet is stable, we’ll talk you through the diagnosis and next steps — which may include Pet Surgery or Pet Pain Management — so you’re never left wondering what comes next.

A Note on First Aid

First aid is never a substitute for veterinary care, but it can help in the moment. If your pet is bleeding externally and you can safely apply gentle pressure or a wrap, do so. Important: a hurting or frightened pet may react unpredictably, even with a trusted owner — never put yourself at risk of a bite. When in doubt, wrap your pet gently, get them into a carrier, and call us on your way.

Compassionate Emergency Care Since 1967

As an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital, Duxbury Animal Hospital is here to help South Shore families through stressful moments with calm, skilled, compassionate care. If you think your pet needs urgent attention during our hours, please call us. You can explore everything we offer on our Veterinary Services page.

Need Help Now?

If your pet is experiencing an emergency during our hospital hours, please call us right away at (781) 737-7820 before coming in. For after-hours emergencies, see our Emergency Vet Care in Duxbury, MA page.

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